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would seem to hold out but small hope, at present, of evangelizing Lew
Chew.*
The Powhatan, pursuant to orders, took her course for Ning-po-fou,
Fuh-chow-fuh, and Amoy, on the coast of China, to inquire into the interests
of Americans resident in those places, and was instructed to proceed
from Amoy to Hong Kong. The Mississippi proceeded direct to the
last named port.
And now, while she is on her passage, we will return in our narrative to
the expedition to Formosa, the incidents of which occurred simultaneously
with those which form the subject of the previous part of this chapter. I t
will be remembered that the Macedonian, Captain Abbot, and the Supply,
Lieutenant Commanding Sinclair, had been sent from Simoda, before the
squadron left that port, with instructions to visit Formosa, and the former
ship was also ordered on her way thence to China, to stop at the Philippines.
There was more than one object contemplated in the visit to Formosa.
Certain of our countrymen, as our authorities at home had been informed,
navigating near Formosa, had been shipwrecked and thrown upon
that island, where they remained, either in a state of captivity or because
they were unable to get away. Instructions were therefore given by the
navy department to the Commodore to make research and inquiry into this
* From the authorities o f Lew Chew to- Commodore Perry:
A prepared statement. Sho Fu-fing, general superintendent of affairs in the kingdom
of Lew Chew, and Ba Rio-si, treasurer at Shui, earnestly beg your excellency’s kind consideration
of some circumstances; and that, to show compassion on our little country, you
will take away back to their own land Bettelheim and Moreton, who have remained
here long. * * * * * * *
In the years 1844 and 1846 some French officers came, and the Englishman Bettelheim
also brought hither his wife and children to reside, and they all required something to be
daily given them, to our continual annoyance and trouble. Whenever an English or a
French ship came in, we earnestly represented these circumstances to them, and besought
them to take these people away with them. The Frenchmen, knowing our distresses, went
away in the year 1848 to their own country, and have not hitherto returned ; but Bettelheim
has loitered away years here and not gone, and now, further, has brought Moreton
with his family to take his place, and live here, greatly to the discomfort of the peopie,
and distress and inconvenience of the country.
We have learned that your excellency has authority over all the East Indian, China
and Japan seas, and not a ship of any western country can go from one of these seas to
the other but you know and regulate its movements. Wherefore we lay before you our Sad
condition in all its particulars, humbly beseeching your kind regard upon it, and requesting
that, when your fine ships return, you will take both Bettelheim and Moreton away
with you. This will solace and raise us up from our low condition, and oblige us in a
way not easy to be expressed. We wish your life may be prolonged to a thousand autumns,
in the enjoyment of the highest felicity.
J uly 10, 1854.