New-York tribune., 1867-08-17
THE FORMOSA MURDERS.
DISPATCHES FROM REAR-ADMIRAL BELL-TIE
REPORT OF COMMANDER FEBIGER.

DISPATCHES FROM REAR-ADMIRAL BELL-TllE
REPORT OF COMMANDER FEBIGER.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16-The Navy Depart
ment to-day received voumnOus dispatches from Rear
Admiral Bell dated at sea- latitude $40 81 longitude l25
81 East June 1867 in which he says 70 the Secretary
Referring to my monthly report Of April 30 infor med
the Department that Commander Febger In the unlteu
States steamer Ashuelo sent to Formosa TO rescue
Rover which had wrecked the southwark OF that
island. have the honor TO inclose the report ot
his Investigations by which il will that 10 is prob
able that every except Chinaman belonging TO
This island is divided between three different races
OF men, Tho Chinese possess keeking in the North lam
TO within ten miles OF the south end OF the island IN
Elements On the east coast HarbOr the best on
the island, inhabited by Chinese OF common ORDER ana
some halfneeds Of a6orginas and Chinese From here
10 the south end of the island there two three
small villages Of the same description OF lnhantants
only one more wild and savage, wearing scarcely any
clothing and quite as hostile foreigners when good OPP
pornites occur their wilder brethren, who bear the
mails live in the mountains and the retired valleys extend
ing down TO the coast and not In villages nor III nuts
They in communication with haiibreeds, though not
with Chinese, who dread them. Many American ana
European vessels have disappeared of the south end OF
Fornosa at various times IN hurricanes ahd NOT III suIr
II has been surmlsed that some OF the unortu
nate crews after having escaped to Formosa Ike hat
natives and half breeds infesng hat part OF te coast
confirms that opinion and as there is no GOvernmehI 70
deal with in this matter shall proceed at once with thls
shin and two Others 10 the South end Oi fOFOsa ana
land small amsnen to scour the thckets ana pTSaK UP
whatever nests the wretchcs may have there Ihe De
parnent Will perceive the dAcny OF transient lo,ne, %
landed ron ships, getting az zoe lnat ave n0,e nhe
monkeys than men. Feeling this uncertainty, and know
ing that the Chinese officials In the west OF the island are
extending thelr authority over ne IIisu' 49,
Commander Febiger TO Induce the Tanta and cllet
themselves OF the fine bay in the south end
offering them assistance, ana in any event, 10 go
tending that they will lead an expedition o Their own IN
due time. am satisfied that the barp;ntlrs oi tnese
enV ac,gf he
ernment az Pckn be induced by the action OF the Amer
all the villages and bays the east coast and on the
south and thus drive the aborgnals back 20 the interior
,ay lac so i,nfortutate M 10 be thrown OF their coast
and there s no known way Of dealing with them as a
community.
Commander Fcbiger in lis report to Admiral Bell
dated April &C. 1867, says that he arrived at Tawanfoo
on the morning Of April H. ana immediately forwarded
letter TO the three principal authorities Of the island Gen
TaOa and the Prcfect informing them Of the reported
murder Of the ROyors crew, and requesting that an I'M
mediate inves cation Of the should hc made that In
case there any Of the crow s surviving IN the
hands Of tie immediate steps should he taken
TO recover them, aud that proper armed force be
sent, 20 that az mlneSlta ~ tIe ,I HiG,oSr W ge
also offering 10 assist IN carrying out these objects An
answer was received the following day stating that In
formation of the case had hee leccNcu ana e'cph hI
been taken investigate aud that al armed force should
se1, S sy' AIR The ictcr were rcaciyed CSnnander
Febeer called Gpou Cen Taoa aud the Irfeet ind,Nd
formation that AL the crew OF thc Rover had shared
the Same fate. leaving Ta!wau-ioo on tie 24st
Of Anil Commander Fcblgcr went 90 Ledug knon Bay
near where the murder committed. and coninuhl-
Gated with the head there but they wohld gave no
information, neither would they furnish messenger 10
the sayagcs some ten or twelve miles distant lie theh
proceeded 20 the place where the nnIdcF was cohlluu
where he found Cucse boat with a OF four men,
They were mtcrrOgatCG. but 40 information could be oD
tanned from them The Savgccs made thc4T appearance
the hills, several miles distant
Accompanying the report b. the letter RON Conmanaer
FebigcT tie General faOtai ana Project OF FaiWai
foo dated April IT, announcing that the American bark
Rover the 18th az March, lf1 upon rock on thc
southern! OF EOTOsa and much injured That
the officers and had 90 the bark 10 save their
lives. Tie captain, his wife, second mate, ana
three seameu went in boat, and were
murdered after landing except one seaman, VINO
escaped Tie other boat, with the chief mate aud seven
seven ecamen landed the same place and u u sup
posed shared the same fate. COWnIudcT Fcb!gcr then
requested the authorities seas for and seize al i'm
pcaod In the murder that they may be punished Tie
reply OF those officers states that tcy VIII do al ~ Their
power arrest and punish the perpetrators OF the crime
but the savagcs living Ia the mountains and woods
and 10 b. almost impossible 10 use au armed force aEhIht
them, but one VIII be sent