New-York tribune., 1867-08-09
THE EAST INDIES.
CHINA.

IlillNA.
THE MASSACRE OF AN AMERICAN CREW ON THE
ISLAND OF EOstM0SA.
From Our Special Correspondent
HoNG KONG, June 49, 1867.
In former letter gave you some account of
the wreck Of the bark Rover and the OF
the captain and the southern coast Of the Island Of
Formosa on the 18th Of March last We have some
further particulars. The vessel was owned and com
manded by Capt Hunt OF Port Jefferson, Long Island
and the passengers on board the captain and his
wife, W. Harris OF Pennsylvania first officer Jonas As
berg of Sweden, second officer; nino Chnamen and a
Tho Chnanan who escaped at the time of the massacre
has since made more detailed statement before the
United States Consul at swaow After be reached the
Chinese village, on the day following this deplorahe
event, he induced Chinaman belonging TO the settle
ment TO among the savages to persuade them not to
kill tho officers and crew OF the Rover but allow them to
be ransomed On the return OF the man on the following
day. he learned that five OF the captains boat were mu
dered on the afternoon OF the attack and that the other
boat had arrived in the night and two OF the crew we're
murdered the morning OF the next day It has slace
been ascertained that two more men were Killed. lcavg
FIVE persons probably alive No mention Is made Of the
captains wife, that 1t is possible she was spared the
As soon as the news reached MT Legendre, the United
States Consul at Annoy he proceeded TO Iawaf00 IN the
United States steamer Asuelot, reaching thaI pace on
the 2sth of April lie wrote the authorities OF the
Island detailing the circumstances of tho massacre eh
asking immediate investigation MI iebenuJb 80 I
asked that the persons implicated in the OUTRAGE sHou
be punished according TO the Chinese ISWs, 1u M @
the assistance Of the Ashuelot to tha en ana to
ery of the prisoners should there be any IN the Is OF
fhe To this the IaOtalt b(Itlit
tbe highest authority In the lsland-Iepcd on me Hollow
ing day detailing the action taken In the murder OF te
crew OF a British vessel but, which was uttcIWAld cA-
paned TO have reference 70 tho crew or tho KOVC INC
Misunderstanding arising from an error OF the
lnrmgt Mt tie British Consulate when Mr. Carroll repre-
sened tho affair the TaOai related In my former
letter. The TaOtai said thar De Knew mat al OF e crew
Of the Rover had been murdered. He declined any as
ssance from the American ship OF war; but at Tue same
time promised do everything In his power though as
late MS the 2h OF April the Chinese authorities, notWl-
STANDING the representations IN the reply 81 tho raOg
had made 10 inquiry into the circumstances OF the
Tie Nshuelot went south from Taiwanfoo and came 70
anchor opposite the OF tho murder Hero four or
the crew Of n small junk which was at anchor III INC
neighborhood were examined by Capt Fchrger ana Mr
IPEendre The stated they traders in cotton
goods with tho abOgnos but they gave 10 Information
respecting the murder IL j. certain they were not sin-
ccre hut were tho allies Of the aJOrgnes, supplying
the natives with powder, shot aud guns. =.
The aborigines are very barburuu5 Inc Iaotu III MS
repy 10 Mr. Ieceudre ayerred that they wer not suge't
To- te Chinese Government, and that the Chine-e were
rot permtted trade with them. The Island las been
partially cOionized by Chinese within tho last two cctu-
Ies and the shores u the bay tie scene or the nur
der are already settled 10y mixed race who are cross
between tiie Chinese and the abOrEnes. .
This mixed affects constant Hostility toward the
natives but maintains close connection WIN theil,
which IL strengthened by marriage ties, ana these are
known assist them I'm their crimes and share TIER pun
der It doubtless that the tOImOauS are not sun
feet tO the Chinese, bat the security OF g Ncs Is
trading the Chinese seas requires mat thelr bdfp
should be repressed by some authority on the Island