Henderson to Jefferson Davis, June 1, 1874

No. 155. Mr. Henderson to Mr. Davis.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that through the courtesy of Commander A. Kautz, of the United States steamship Mouocacy, last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Liang Kiau Bay, in Formosa, where the Japanese forces are encamped. (See my dispatch No. 28.)

We started from Amoy on the evening of the 27th ultimo, and arrived at Takao roads at sundown on the following day, where we had intended remaining over night, but the weather was so stormy we were unable to land, and after lying at anchor some three hours, proceeded down the coast against a strong southwest monsoon, and at daylight next morning anchored at Liang-Kiau Bay. This bay is formed by a small curvation in the shore-line, and affords not the slightest protection-against the southwest monsoon. Consequently a heavy sea was breaking upon the shore in front of the Japanese camp, rendering it impossible for us to communicate with them. After remaining there a few hours the storm became more violent, and vessels in the harbor began to drag their anchors. Commander Kautz, thinking it unsafe to remain, and that we could not land for several days, put to sea, and returned to Amoy, where we arrived on the evening of the 30th.

However, while at Liang-Kiau, we communicated with the British gunboat Hornet, and from her officers and other reliable sources I learned the following facts:

Japanese land forces now there number about three thousand. The Japanese corvette Nash in, and transport Shaftesbury at anchor in the bay, and the Japanese gunboat Wooshin and six other vessels, had been there but were gone. These vessels are nearly all commanded by citizens of the United States.

On the 23d the Japanese skirmishers had an engagement with the natives, and report sixteen savages killed, with six Japanese killed and thirty wounded.

The Japanese have the cordial co-operation of the Chinese at Liang Kian.

The Chinese corvette Tang Boo and gunboat Fusing visited Liang Kian on the 23d ultimo.

Although I have no official information from any source that Americans are taking part in these operations, I know personally that Lieutenant-Commander Douglas Cassel, U. S. N., and three or four other citizens of the United States, accompany the expedition.

I have the honor to inclose herewith copy of a dispatch, and translation of same, which I received on the 30th ultimo from the Chinese Taotai at this port, and respectfully request instructions as to course to pursue toward citizens of the United States implicated.

It will doubtless be remembered that these savages have heretofore been treated as an independent people, not only by foreign governments, but by the Chinese themselves, who have not hitherto pretended to claim that part of the island where the savages reside, or in any manner be responsible for their conduct. (See Consul Legendre’s dispatch No. 13, of February 20, 1868, from the board of trade at Foochow to him, dated February 7, 1868.)

It is to be hoped that this affair will, at least, settle this question of responsibility for the future.

Although the Japanese have landed at a place occupied by Chinese, they claim it is by the express permission of the imperial government at Peking.

If the difficulty between China and Japan should assume a more formidable shape before I receive instructions to do otherwise, I will enjoin upon American citizens in Formosa the observance of the strictest neutrality.

I have, &c.,