The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-13
United States Naval Mission
to Corea.
Interesting Search for the Survivors OF
the Schooner General Sherman.
Scenes along Shore, Official Nego.
tiations and Extraordinary and
Romantic Statements.
rnclish GrOwls Against the Bur.
lingame Mission.

Nv overland mail from San Francisco we have the
following special correspondence In detail Of our
telegraph news letters to- the 28th OF May, additional
TO the very interesting report which was published
In the HERALD yesterday morning.
United States Naval Mission to Corea-The
Schooner General Sherman Case-Cruise of
the Observation-Disclosures Land and Scenes
Along shOre-Corenn Manifest0-Oficial Ac.
count of, Probably, the Fate Of the Sher-
neutrality-suspicious. with Local Magistrates
: and Peikin.
SHANGHAI, May 25 1865.
In accordance with instructions from the
late Rear Admiral H. H. Bell, commanding
the United States Asiatlc squadron, and
acting upon information which led to the
belief that q portion Of the crew OF the American
schooner General Sherman, burned In the PnYang
river, Corea, more than two years since,
were now held In captivity in Corea, the
American man.of.war Shenandoah, Commander
J. O. Febger, sailed from this port on the 1StTOf
March, and after exceedingly rough passage
arrived at Chefoo, Shantung promontSry and pro-
vince on the afternoon Of March %. From Chefoo
the vessel sailed for Tungchau thirty miles distant
to the services Of interpreter. Tung-Chau
was the original treaty port but in consequence of
bay harbor"the place was given up for Chefoo.
There are living in Tung-Chaq four American fami-
lies one at each gate They are all missionaries and
all from Southern New York.
The Shenandoah remained at Tung-chau few
days. and the services of Mr. Mater one of the mis-
sonaries, were obtained for the expedition Mr.. Z.
g. Sanford, United States Consul at Chefoo, also
companied the expedition. The services OF two
Chinese pilots, who had been in the Corea and on
the Pin-Yang river, were also secured. Efforts
also made to secure the Chinese pilot who took the
General Sherman over and who afterwards accom-
panied the United States steamer Wachusett when
Commander Shufeldt was sent to make nvestga-
tions In this same matter but it reliably ascer.
tanned that he had recently died.
The Shenandoah left ChefOo on the evening OF the
9TH Of April and arrived or the cost of Corea the
evening OF the 9th, after a pleasant run, clear
weather and moonlight nights Anchorage was
found In sheltered bay. where bottom was found at
Eortyfve feet but which essened to twenty-five feet
rs the tide fell, and the vessel obliged to
further out A few people were seen and clusters Of
straw hats along the shore. Soon after coming to
anchor three men were discovered running very fast
overthe hills into the Interior and 1t presumed
they were going to report at headquarters the ar
rival of the ship. This first anchorage was sup
posed to be near the entrance to the PinYang river
but the pilots seemed TO have very little knowledge
of the position. The vessel remained at this anchor
age until the 18th inst, when she was moved within
miles beyond came again to anchor, and, as orr.
ginally intended, the surveys were begun.
On the l1tfl an entrance to a river was found and
II was thought at first 1t might be the Pin-Yang,
and 1t proved to be so. At this point the vessel
manned until the 18th, while thorough surveys were
made and the evening OF the 18th the vessel was
moved into the entrance Of the river.
There had only been two days of cold and rainy
weather up to this time, the remaining days being
delightful In temperature and beautifully clear. The
cultivation along the shore seemed to be far adj
vanced as and compared favorably with the Chinese
fields farther to the south. The hills were not as
barren as the general aspect OF the Chinese coast
Indeed the country much resembed the banks OF
the river Min below Foh-Chau. The time luch re-
sembled spring time In the northern OF the Mid
die States OF America.
SO far no dangerous shoals were found, as was
somewhat anticipated. One or two rocky places
were found that during the spring tides might not
appear al high water. This was all. On the morn.
Ing OF the 18th Of April, on an island which they
to one OF the surveying fagsafis a communication
written in Chinese or Corean-the characters the
same: IL was brought on board and translated by
Dir. Muteer. The following is a translation OF the
C0rean docsment:-"Of what country youS For
what purpose do you come heref ON what month
come AL the way here Are yoN well after your
tourney OF 10000 e.-thls IL simply the Chinese
wind and waves IS It your plan to barter mercsan
se s or s pay your plan to take
to pass by 10 other places and SO return
to your native landsf All under the
whole heavens are OF one original nature. Clothes
same, yet they can treat each other with mutual
friendship. what your wish Is please make known,
returned ne G TO this Island viii be very accepab
Signed 1.-THE Region Of the Yellow Sea, Local Mass-
An answer 70 this Communication was sent nv tho
Commander OF the Shenandoah replying to the
Questions asked and stating the business they came
a proper person to come and receive an important
despatch intended for the King of their country.
This answer left where the former communica-
tion had been found, and on the following morning
another letter from the natives was obtained. 1t was
en- on Ge snH was ABOUT es
came from the local magistrate. This latter commu-
nication was partially remonstrance against the
sired could be obtained as well there further up.
Concerning the General Sherman, the communica-
ton stated tnat "a foreign vessel had come Into the
waters OF the Pin-Yang rver.r The local magis
trate supposed they were driven there by stress OF
about inquiring concerning them, the men on the
vessel became hateful refusing TO pay any attention
60 them aud Offering Insults The Coreans restrained
earnes entreaty failed to elicit any sltislac CRY In
formation from the vessel. The people on board u-
sisted that the Coreans should open trade 10 them,
and when the magistrate informed them that 1t was
beyond his province TO make such promise the
men became angry and violent. They worked the
vessel up the river, and the Coreans showed their
friendliness by supplying them with meat, vegeta-
ples and fruit; They would not go back down the
river, but pushed their way up TO the capital OF the
province where they captured the vessel
Of q Corean official and placed him. in
confinement. They shattered to pieces by
their cannon balls many OF the Corean vessels,
robbing them and killing the men. The citv's peo
pie and soldiers could not restrain their Indignation
but assembled and made an attack, desiring TO
rescue the Official Many OF them killed by the
cannon balls nom the vessel, and they became en-
ragged and furious, and their combined power was
used and cannon employed on both sides. At last
tho Coreans sent RATS OF burning wood against the
vessel, which set her on fire, the powder exploded
and blew her to pieces, and leaving not q single man
alive who was board OF her. To this time we 1.-THE
Coreansl do not know to whose country the vessel
belonged.
These men came and stirred up this matter, and
10 this time we do not know their motive I'm coming
According to the laws OF this country II vessels are
cast away here or driven on shore and the vessel
nninjurcd they give them provisions and assist them