Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-01-17
QD6ilo(I. ID. ,StatesrnatrttI, H.
Ha aHHHa
CHINA.
The French Expedition Against COrea
n The Civil War in Japan. r,il
IFrOm the New 0rk TrlbuneJ
10 HONG KONG, Nov. 10, 1861

tt The civil War in Japan. ,.fql.
From the New York Tribunel .rl
+, IN .i. 10 HONG kong, Nov. 15, 1866.
On arrival at this port found the atteH-
tion Of the foreign community diverted
from the Chinese Empire toward Corea and
Japan; toward Corea, because of the nnassa-
ere, by order ofits Government, of several
Americans and Frenchmen, and toward
japan on account of the civil war from
which that country Is suffering.
. Speculation has been INDUCED in respect
ing the probable action of the United
States and France in relation tolthe recent
events in Corea-the burning alive OF the
crew OF the General Sherman in their yes
sci, and the beheading of Roman Catholic
missionaries. Conjecture concerning the
action of the French in the matter has Just
ceased, an arrival from Shanghai bringing
an account of the approach to the capital
of Corea and of the capture by the French
Admiral of the adjacent city OF KonShoa.
A preparatory expedition had been pre-
viously dispatched to explore Beoul river,
on which is situated the Capital, Sayool,
about sixty miles above its embrochurc.-
The river was found to have current of
five miles an hour, and to be nayiga-
BILE without much difficulty as far as
Konghoa. Forty miles from its mouth gun
boats were able to ascend 26 miles higher
uD-to within sightof the wall of the Roy
al City, SayOol-but with difficulty, owing
to shoals, rocks, abrupt curves, and the ra-
pidity of the current by which the explor-
ers were several times brought to stand.
Stone forts of rude construction were met
with, on which useless guns were mount
ed. Military officers there first presented
themselves, who were on the eve OF OBJ
structing the progress of the French By
sinking fleet of junks, but relinquished
their object as soon as the gunboat sent
shot among them. Mandarlns then came
on board and presented the French with
presents of provisions-a fat OK among
other things-and requested the French TO
withdraw, which they did, after taking
drawings, sOundings and plans. On their
return down the river they were fired upon
from several points on the river, put In
each instance few shots seemed to dis
perse the timid Coreans, access to whose
strongholds thus for the first time became
known to the outer world. The squadron
then returned to the Chinese port of Che
boo, from whence 1t had sailed.
On the 18th ultimo Admiral Roze again
set sail tor Corea, this time prepared to in
flict punishment. His fleet consisted OF
seven vessels, having on hand 400 rltlemen.
Three days easy steaming brought MIN 10
the coast of the Peninsula. The gunboats
of the expedition proceeded up the river,
taking position before eleven forts, which
proved to be without defenders. There
was no movement Ofany kind in the forts,
and not q soul in the way of garrison was
visible, although the muzzles Of guns could
be seen in the embrasures. On the follow
| ing day the fleet ascended higher, and land
ed the riflemen without encountering re-
sistance. They were ready to shoot! They
entered village which was wholly DESERT
| ed the Inhabitants IN their flight had taken
with them their portable valuaDles' leaving
| in their houses furniture, clothing and
uuantitv of provisions. A number of mus
kets, gingals, some bows and crazy cannon,
and a powder magazine, were the useless
| trophies, together with poultry, pigs and
| vegetables, which were useful.
Next morning, Oct 10, the ritlemen ad-
vanced three miles higher, which brought
| them to the city of Konghoa, which is sit
uated on an island, and regarded by the
natives as one of their strongest places, but
which the French found wholly indefensi-
| BILE,
Capt. D'Orzery went into the city to dis
| lodge a firing party which was posted on
| the ramparts at distance OF over l,oOO
Yards, but without effect, as they fired too
| high. The fire was returned by the French
riflemen, when the garrison halted, and
sought refuge in an archway of one of the
| city gates, from which they were driven,
when the gate was forced with axes. The
captain did not care to retain possession oi
the city, although so men would have
proved a sufficient garrison for It's DEFENSE
| After surveying the place and burning
| the deenses of the gates, he retired TO the
| river banks, carrying nag winch was
| seized ON the walls. No Frenchman re-
ceived an abrasion, and only three Corean'
we're killed. ~
hao, and found that the inhabitants had al
| fled to the hills during the previous night
taking with them all that they could carry
| a few persons were taken prisoners wht
stated that the Mandarins, on quitting, hat
directed the inhabitants to leave also. Th'
French soldiers scattered over the city, ant
i looted some bed-eovers, pigs, fowls, anc
like curiosities. The officers penetrated the
| public offices, and swords, arrows and othel
l weapons, and at last the Government chest
were discovered, containing 100000 franc
In silver ingots, carefully wrapt up in pa
per, One company garrisoned the city, tn
| remainder returning to the headquarters o.
y the banks of the river.
4 Konghao is described as asmall, poor an
filthy city of about 10000 inhabitants. IN
Qualifications were utterly insignificant
The success of the French brought out To
, | Christians OF the neighborhood. r.g.
Before the capture of that city mandari
waited on Admiral Page and boldly vindi
Gated the course of the Corean Governmen
in killing missionaries; he was abrupt
dismissed, and not well pleased with tn
PERCEPTION accorded to him. On the secon
. day after the capture dispatch was receiv
ed written in Chinese, from the Yiceroy an
\ military commandant of Corea, who ,wrot
| in behalf of the King. The contents wer
yague and diffuse, and treated at grea
length of the punishment which had DC
fallen the late missionaries, concluding D
request to the Admiral to come up to th
capital and enter into negotiations. In
in reply extolled the missionarie
land laid down his claims, which were tn
punishment of the three principal minis
ters who instigated the execution OF tn
missionaries, and that an officer investe
with full powers, be sent to treat VII
Ehim,T sim .g3brP-glfL. -, N,,,sttJr
convert had Just brought intelligence ths
ian army $4,000 strong was advancing froI
1.-THE capital to attack the French, and ths
stone-laden junks had been sunk In th
Il river to obstrnct the passage OF the men-oi
IlWar. This looks as If the Coreans had d(
{, signed to initiate the Chinese In the treat
ment accorded to the British when convey
VI inc i ord FIgin to Pekin with the treaty
LIlI95Q Had the French Admiral aGcepte