Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-06-29
The CorennnimcuItr.

The dispatches received from Admiral Rodg-
ers, with additional details of his dealings with
the Coreans, show that he has given that bar
barous people sharp and much needed lesson.
The difficulty which has given occasion for his
attack upon the Corean forts, arose about five
years ago, when the American ship, General
Sherman, was wrecked on the coast. The crew
were captured and treated with extreme cruelty.
Some were tortured, and some, confined in cages,
were carried about the country and subjected to
horrible in1ignities. Only one man contrived
to escape, and, reaching an American war YES
sci, told the story of his companions suf-
in command of the Asiatic squad
ron, sent the steamer Shenandoah
to the coast of Corea to demand salts
faction. This vessel, on approaching the coast
was fred on by the shore batteries, and, as her
commander had no orders to return the fire, he
retired and reported to the admiral. Nothing
more was done while Admiral Bell and his sue
cessor on that station, Admiral Rowan, re-
manned in command, although the latter was
about TO undertake the settlement of the Difficult
ty in obedience TO instructions, when he was di-
rected to await further orders. When Admiral
Rodgers sailed in the Colorado he had full au-
thority to demand redress from the government
of Corea, and, if it was refused, to chastse them
to the limit of his power. A previous dispatch
from the admiral, received about two weeks ago
related that he was at first received
with professions Of friendliness, but
whin thus deceived, his boats were
treacherously fired upon by the shore batteries
The fire was returned from the ship and from
French man-of-war accompanying the American
squadron. The dispatch published this morn
ing describes the capture of the fort by a storm
ing party, with loss of three killed and several
wounded on our side, and large, though not
accurately known, loss on the part of the Co
reans. Admiral Rodgers took out in the Colora-
do battery of field pieces and another OF Gatling
guns, which no doubt surprised the Coreans by
their destructive powers. Further dispatches
from the admiral will be awaited with interest.
The country, which may be opened to COM
mercial intercourse by Admiral Rodgers vigor-
GUS measures, and which at least, we may hope
will learn to treat shipwrecked seamen with hu.
mainly, is kingdom on the eastern coast Of
Asia, northeast Of China, comprising peninsuls
400 miles long and $50 miles broad with some
adjacent islands and a part of the contiguous
continent, containing in all about 10000 square
miles, and having a population estimated at
about ten millions. 1t extends from latitude SO
degrees and 30 minutes to 43 degrees north. The
coast is rough and sterile, and the northern part
Of the country has a cold climate and mountain
GUS surface; but in the interior and western
portion, the climate and soil are more genial.
Though nominally tributary to China, the
government is practically independent. Its
spirit and form are similar to those of the Chi
nese government. 1t is unnecessary to say that
the people, whatever their other qualities, are
exclusive and animated by fierce hatred OF
foreigners. The army and navy are SAID to be
large in proportion 10 the population. The
former is estimated at GAG, 900 men, and the lat
ter has three hundred vessels, carrying twenty
or thirty guns each, not large or formidable to
our ships of war. The archipelago of Corea
consists of number of small islands on the
west coast in the Yellow sea, between the PENN
sula and the mainland of China They are
chiefly high and rocky. 1t is probable that the
Coreans settled Japan at an early date and were
the founders of the present japanese empire.