INSTRUCTIONS AND REPORTS 



IN RELATION TO 



THE ISLAND OF FORMOSA AND MANILA. 



INSTBUCTIONS. 



Commodore Perry to Captain Abbot. 



United States Flag-ship Powhatan, 



Simoda, June 18, 1854. 



Sir : When the wind and weather permit, you will proceed with the ship under your 

 command in company with the storeship "Supply," Lieutenant Commanding Sinclair, to the 

 port of Kelung, in the island of Formosa. 



The ohject of your visiting this island is to carry out the instructions of the Navy Department 

 touching certain inquiries and researches to be made with respect to the fate of several missing 

 persons, whose relatives and friends entertain a hope that they may still be alive and possibly 

 detained in captivity, either in the islands belonging to the empire of Japan or in Formosa. 



The enclosed copies of papers will give you all the information I possess with reference to this 

 interesting subject, and it will be necessary that you base your course of action upon these data. 



I think it better, therefore, not to put you under the restraint of restricting your movements 

 or operations by any particular instructions other than to carry out the views of the Navy 

 Department in a manner which you may think will be the most complete and effectual. 



Besides the business of prosecuting the researches for the missing persons above alluded to, it 

 is important that the coal localities of Formosa should be carefully examined, in view of 

 ascertaining the feasibility of obtaining supplies from that island; the convenience of procuring 

 and shipping it; the productiveness of the mines; the quality of the coal for steaming purposes; 

 its cost per ton of 2,240 pounds at the mines ; the convenience and cost of shipping, &c, &c. 



The " Supply" is sent with you for reason of her light draught,- and to be at hand in case of 

 need ; as also to take on board whatever coal you may be able to purchase. 



If the coal is dear, say from $15 to $20 per ton, I request that you purchase not more than fifty, 

 seventy-five, or one hundred tons ; but if it can be obtained at a low price, say ten dollars per 

 ton, it will be desirable that you purchase and put on board the " Supply" three hundred tons. 



The general orders of the squadron respecting scientific researches will be carefully observed 

 by all under your command during your cruise; and to assist in this pursuit, the Kev. Geo. Jones 

 will be ordered to report to you for suitable accommodations on board the "Macedonian," and to 

 act under your instructions. 



After accomplishing the objects above detailed in the best practicable manner, you will 

 despatch the "Supply" to Hong Kong, in China, and proceed with the " Macedonian" to the 

 18s 



