Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-03-12

Mr.. Calhoun to the Senate Committee on Ter
ritories
The committee next proceed to show the strict
legality of every step in the origination, pro
erosion and adoption of this Constitutio and
clearly prove their assertions by citing off cial
documents They next notice the arguments
OF Gov Walker and Judge Douglas, against
the Lecompton Constitution, and refute them
oy quoting from the speeches and letters of
these gentlemen, and by rational deductions
from admitted facts and precedents. Again
by reference to the several votes given in the
Territory, they demonstrate the falsity of the
assertion that q majority of the legal voters
were fraudulenty disfranchised, and maintain
that Congress has no right to notice the CON-
plants of those who declared themselves out
laws by their opposition to the authorities, and
refused to take part in the election. They
likew Sc contend that the official returns of the
vote cast on the slavery clause show a decided
majority in its favor, even if it be admitted
that the number claimed to be disfranchised
would have voted against it, had they been al
lowed an opportunity
As for the charge Of forcing upon Kansas, by
admitting her under the Lecompton Constitu-
ton: an institution obnoxious to her people its
emptiness is illustrated by calling attention to
the fact, that as Territory, slavery is now le-
galized there by the Constitution of the United
States. Hence, the Lecompton Constitution
does not impose this institution upon her, and
on her becoming State her power to rid her
self of slavery is indisputable. They regard
refusal on the part of Congress to admit Kan
sas as the assumption of illegal power, as vi
olation of the principles of States Rights and of
the organic laws respecting the transmutation
of Territories into States
NAVAL INTELLECT NCE. We observed. on
Wednesday, that the Navy Department is in
receipt Of dispatches from Com Armstrong, of
the East India squadron, bearing date Dec q;
and that these enclosed a report from Captain
Slmms of his proceedings at the island of For
mosa, whittier he was sent to ascertain if any
Americans were prisoners on the island. Our
space did not then permit US to give the details
of the correspondence, and we therefore refer
to it again.
Captain Sims reports that after reaching the
harbor of keow, or Takow, he communicated
with the Chinese authorities, and, through the
chief Mandarin, transmitted the correspondence
of Com. A. to the "Taen Kae," or Governor
He also explained to this Mandarin, with whom
he had several agreeable conferences, the ma
ture of his mission, and this official appeared
DESTROYS of extending every facility for the
prosecuting of the inquiries. 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 Ho the
capital of FOrmosa. This is a walled CITY, the
walls and Notifications being, however, frail
and dilapidated. lie was not permitted to enter
that pa rt of the city within the walls but took
up his quarters in the suburbs.
His intercourse with the inhabitants was
pleasant, and he was treated with civility and
kindness. From Tawan Ho to Takow he re-
turned overland, by sedan chair conveyance,
which he remarks is hardly equal in point of
speed or comfort to railroad travelling He
describes the island as being thickly popu-
lated and highly improved. The scenery is
said to be beautiful, and the soil remarkably
fertile
The communication forwarded to the "Taen
Kae' or Governor, was returned with an an
swer that it could not be received, as that Of
fetal is forbidden to hold diplomatic CORES
pondence with foreigners without the consent
Of the Emperor Of China. On returning the
document the Mandarin of Takow informed
Capt. S. officially that he had instituted in
quiries as to whether any white prisoners were
held by the Chinese on the island, and was
satisfied that there were none. lie SAYS that
between the Chinese and the aborigines, 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 S. also made inquiries
from other sources as to whether there were
any white prisoners on the island, but found
no reason to believe such to be the case.
lie says that his efforts to learn any partic-
ulars concerning the outrage committed by the
inhabitants Of TakOw on two of the company
belonging to the American brig Progressive
Age, from the Chinese authorities, were futile,
as these dignitaries denied all knowledge Of
the transaction. His report is accompanied
by communication from the Mandarin of Ia
ko", being an answer to his inquiry as to
whether any white prisoners were held on the
island
The expedition of Capt s. was the conse.
quence Of a rumor circulated in 1856. that
large American vessel had been wrecked on
the island Of Formosa, and that all hands were
taken captive by the inhabitants. While moth
ing has been ELECTED in relation to that matter.
the fact that the island is place of CONNER
cial Importance is thus established, and the in
tercourse with the inhabitants are adyanta-
geous. Among the products of Formosa are
coal, camphor and sulphur, and it is said that
gold is likewise found in some localities.
Accompanying the report we find paper
from Marcus l.. Woodward, of the American
brig Progressive Age, and one of the victims of
the outrage mentioned above. lie says that in
December, 1856, accompanied by Mr.. Gomez,
he left the vessel at Takow, and proceeded
along the shore in quest Of game. Coming to
cluster of huts they stopped to get drink,
when the inhabitants crowded around them to
49, a