498 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



Whatever satisfaction their departure may have afforded the Lew Chewans was doubtless 

 enhanced by the fact that the ships took away Dr. Bettelheim. Tliis gentleman had been 

 superseded by the Rev. Mr. Moreton, who was on the ground ; and Dr. Bettelheim's family had 

 left some time before for China in the Supply. The earnestness of ajiplication to the Commodore 

 to take Dr. Bettelheim away with him forcibly demonstrates the very little prospect there was 

 of any useful labors, on his part, among the natives ; and, indeed, their desire to be rid of Mr. 

 Moreton also, would seem to hold out but small hope, at present, of evangelizing Lew Chew. 

 The letter addressed by the authorities to the Commodore will be found below.* 



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 j^assage, 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. It will be remembered that the Macedonian, Captain Abbot, 

 and the Supply, Lieutenant Commanding Sinclair, had been sent from Simoda, before the 

 . squadron left that jiort, 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 matter. Again, the importance of an abundant supply of coal 

 for the use of steamers, not only of our own, but of other nations that may reasonably be 

 expected ere long to throng these seas, furnished another motive for the visit to Formosa, as 

 there was reason to think the mineral existed in abundance on that island. There was also a 

 particular reason for touching at the Philippines, which we will detail presently. 



On the 29th of June, the Macedonian and Supply left Simoda. On the second day out fhe 

 Supply disappeared, and was not seen again until she entered the harbor of Kelung in Formosa, 

 on the 21st of July, ten days after the arrival at that place of the Macedonian, which had made 

 the run from Simoda in about twelve days, encountering an opposing current, head winds, and 



* From the authorities of 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 bac'. 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 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, furtlier, has broaght Moreton with 

 his family to take his place and live here, greatly to the discomfort of the people, 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 tliese 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. 



July 10, 1854. 



