The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-14
FORMOSA.


Between tho Pirates and American
Naval FOrces-The United States Ships
Hartford and Wyoming EnRaged-A
vigorous BOmbardment Before and
After the Battle-LieutenRnt Mackenzie
KILLED, and Fifteen Officers and Men
sunstruck-The Pirates Driven Away,
Etc. Etc,
LONDON, August l3-Evening -Advices re-
ceived here from Shanghae give the following
account Of a conflict between two steamers of
the American squadron in the Chinese waters
and the pirates Of the Island of Formosa:-
The United States authorities having received
neither satisfaction nor apology for the murder
of the crew of the American bark Rover the
meD-ofwar Hartford and Wyoming were
ordered to the scene Of the outrage on the
Island of Formosa. They sailed early In June.
On arriving off the shore a demand was made
for the surrender of the murderers, which was
not complied with. Meantime it was apparent
that the natives were preparing for fight, and
the shore was vigorously shelled by both vessels.
Several boatloads of sailors and marines subse-
quently effectea q landing, and sharp fight
ensued with the Formosans The fight lasted
over five hours. The heat was intense. Fif-
teen officers and men are reported to have
been sunstruck. Lieutenant Slidell Mackenzie.
one Of the Landing RSFty Tas 5 sh6 ana died Of
was withdrawn from the shore, and the bonn
bardment was resumed. and continued until
the natives had all dispersed and disappeared
The Hartford and Wyoming then weighed
anchor, and sailed for Shanghae, at which port
bney aTTlNeu On Ju6 lotu VI JuuS'
Tho Island of FOrmosa.
The Island of Formosa, upon which the sharp
battle above referred to took place, is situated
in the China Sea, between % degrees aud % de-
grees 80 minutes north, and longitude l20 de-
grees 80 minutes, and l22 degrees east. Length
Centre, about 100 miles iI' Area, 1900 square are
facing the mainland, and for considerable
distance inland, belongs to China, and is in.
cluded in the government OF the province of
Cokien, from which 1t is distant about ninety
miles The remainder Of the east side of the
island is occupied by aboriglnes. FOrmosa is
intersected throughout its whole length by
ridge of mountains called Muh Kau Shau, some
of whose SUBMITS are supposed TO reach an
snow during the whole year. Their declivities
are clothed with fine trees and pasture
grounds, giving the island very attractive
appearance from the sea, whence its
Portuguese name. These mountains present
many evidences OF former volcanic action.
Rivers are numerous on the west side, but most
of them are mere mountain torrents The soil
of the lower tracts and the more gentle slopes
of the mountains is extremely fertile, well cul-
tivated, and the climate salubrious The rice
trade alone, between the island and the mari
abn1t hpea bnSdred vessas me rica gyopn H
Formosa is or a superior quality. Wheat, mil
let, maize, several kinds of vegetables, sugar.
areca nuts, peaches, apricots, figs, grapes,
pomegranates. Chestnuts and melons are also
raised in large quantities The commerce OF
Formosa is confined chiefly to Foksin, and to
a few of the other Eastern provinces OF China,
from which 1t imports tea-green tea only-and
that OF peculiar kind being cultivated on the
island-raw silk woollen and cotton stuffs
and other manufactures. The exports. be
sides rice, are camphor salt, sulphur, maize,
fruits, timber, and other produce. The do
mestic animals are cattle, buffaloes, horses,
asses, goats, sheep, and hogs Tne east
part of the island is said to be infested with
tigers, leopards and wolves, but none are met
with in the cultivated districts on the west
side. In 1S48 coal OF excellent quality, and ex-
tending over large area, was discovered IN
the northeast part Of the island, in the
vicinity of the village of Kelung-tow, or
Killon. The abortgines are OF slender shape,
olive complexion, wear long hair, and blacken
their teeth. They are divided into numerous
classes of tribes, have no written language
are honest and just in their dealings, but
revengeful when provoked. The Chinese part
OF the island is divided into four DISTRICTS, the
capital of which is Tat.won-foo. The Chinese
had no knowledge of Formosa until the year
l4OS, and their sway was not established over
1t until 1888. Since then 1t has greatly ourished
agricultural skill An extensive emigra-
ton is still going on from the cont1-
nent, and lands are taken up by capitalists,
| who not only encourage the people to go
| over, but purchase large numbers of poor per-
! sons to occupy them The colonists are wealthy
| and unruly, and are q source of great annoy
ance, from the frequency of their revolts, to the
| Chinese Government Literature is In a flour
| ishing state in the island, and the people OF
Fohsin sometimes sent their sons there to
available harbors, owing to the shallow;
| ness OF their entrances The channel
south from the island is remarkable for the
violence Of It's north winds, and for It's heavy
| seas. In 1882 the Dutch became masters of it.
but they were expelled by the famous pirate
| COxiluga, whose successors ruled here until
| 1888. The Nerbudda transport, and the brig
Ann were wrecked on Formosa in l84l, aud
nearly all their survivors were ultimately put
| to death with great cruelty by the Chinese
| The population OF the island is estimated al
| 2.60O.0O0.