Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-03-18
Expedition 10 Formosa.


meut has report from Capt Simms, Of his
proceedings at the island Vi Formosa'
whittier he was sant 10 ascertain II any
Americans we're prisoners on the island.
Captain S. made several excursions into
the interior, during one Of which he visited
the city of Pillow He also proceeded by sea
to the city OF Tawan lI", the capital Of For
mosa. This ia walled city, the walls aud
Notifications being, however, fraIl and diiapl-
dated. lie WAS not permitted to enter that
part of the city within the walls, but took up
his quarters in the suburbs.
Ills intercourse with the inhabitants wac
pleasant, aud he Was treated with Kindness.
From Tuwau Ito to Takow he returned over
land by sedan chair conveyance, when he
remarks il hardly equal IN point OF speed or
comfort to railroad travelling. lie describes
the island as being thickly populated and
highly improved. The scenery is SAID 10 be
b ,au,itul, and the soil remarkably fertile.
The communication forwarded 10 the
"Taen Kae" or Governor, was returned with
an answer that it could not he received, as
that official is forbidden to bold diplomatic
correspondence with foreigners without the
consent of the Emperor OF China. O. return
Ing the document. the Mandarin of TukOw
informed Capt. 5. officially tha: he had III
stituted INQUIRIES as 10 whether any white
prisoners were held by the Chinese on the
lsi.oi. and was satis fled that there were none.
lie says that between the Chinese and the
Aborigiucs who dwell IN the mountains and
are barbarians, there are continual wars, and
it was out Of his power to ascertain whether
these held any white prisoners. Capt. ). al
90 made Inquiries from other sources as 10
whether there were any white prisoners Oh
Tie island. but found no reason for such to
be the case.
lie SAYS that his efforts to learn any par
ticu ars concerning tue outrage committed 10y
the inhabitants OF Takuw Oh two OF the com
pany belonging to the American brig Pro-
ere.sive Age, from the Chinese authorities,
were futile, rs these diguitaries denied all
all knowledge of the transaction. HIS re-
port is accom- panied by communication
from the Mandarin OF Tskow, being an an
swer to his enquiry whether any white pris-
oners were held on the island.
The expedition OF Capt. >. was the conse-
auenca of rum1r circulated IN 1886 that q
large American vessel had been wrecked on
the island of Fnrnosa, and that all hands
were taken captive by the inhabitants While
nothing has been elected il relation to that
matter, the fact that the island Is place OF
commercial Importance ID thus estabhshe !,
and the intercokee with the inhabitants Is
advantageous. Among the products Ot FormO-
ga are coal, camphur, and sulphur, and 1t Is
said that gold is likewise found in some To-
c8litiPs.
Accompanying the report is paper from
Marcus L. Woodward, of the American brig
HogrcSSire Ige, and one of the victims Of the
outrage mentioned above. He says that in
December, 1856, accompanied by a Mr.
Gomez, be left the vessel at Takow, and pro-
ceeded along the shore in quest of game
Coming to . cluster of huts they stopped to
get drink, when the inhabitants crowded
around to satisfy their curiosity. They soon
expressed wish to have Messrs. W. X u.
fire ut a target, and some half d. zen shots
were fired when one of the crowd brought
the target to Mr. w. and, asked him u cut
ont the bullets shot into It, To do this he
laid down his gun, when che Vi the children
accidentally discharged it. and wounded an
othor child in the Lex. Messrs. W. Is. q.
were then attacked by the inluriated crowd.
They frd towards the ship, and on their way
were Intercepted by n huge coolie, armed
with spear He would not let them pass
aud they shot him, but did not kill blm.--
This circumstance delayed them, and they
were taken captive beaten, stripped, dragged
naked through the town Of Takow, kept in
Jail there four days. and finally released on
the payment of ransom of 5000. Mr.. w.
asked that indemnity for this outrage be dc
manded from the authorities of Takow.-
WuSh. Star.