FORMOSA AND MANILA. 145 



their grateful thanks for sending a ship-of-war to protect and look after their interests ; and 

 they also desired me to say, that they considered that the visit of the Macedonian would he of 

 real service to the American interests at Manila. There seemed to he no regret on their part, 

 and nothing wanting in the visit of the Macedonian, but your presence ; and a strong desire 

 and hope was expressed that you would yet favor them with a call yourself before your return 

 to the United States. But little, however, could have been added to their hospitable attentions 

 had you yourself been present. 



Just before we sailed, the naval commandant and a number of army officers, together with 

 the consul and most of the American residents and ship-masters, visited the Macedonian, and 

 appeared highly gratified. 



In regard to the coal-mines in Formosa, those already known to us are very extensive and 

 valuable, and there are probably others in the vicinity yet unknown even to the natives. There 

 is also good reason to believe that coal abounds in various other parts of the island, and from 

 the mines of which more has been extracted than at Kelung. The mines we have already seen, 

 if in the possession of an American mining company, would be exceedingly valuable ; and I 

 have no doubt they might be purchased for an inconsiderable amount. They are so situated 

 that the coal might be transported at a trifling expense, by means of inclined planes and short 

 railroads, which need not be expensive in their construction, and the coal dropped directly from 

 the cars into boats and small vessels. About three miles from Kelung there is an admirable 

 little harbor, in near proximity to the mines, on the seacoast, that is almost entirely land- 

 locked and completely protected against northeast winds. At a small cost a railroad could be 

 run from the mines to this little harbor, of which Lieutenant Preble has made a hasty survey, 

 and attached it to his chart of the harbor of Kelung. 



As the Eev. Mr. Jones will make to you full reports of a scientific and geological character 

 in relation to the coal-mines and other matters, I do not feel it necessary or profitable for me to 

 extend further remarks upon the subject. 



After a stop at Manila of six days and a half — one of which being Sunday, and one a strict 

 holiday, and two so rainy that but little could be done — and having obtained, as I considered, a 

 safe quantity of bread and other necessaries to take us here, the Macedonian was underway at 

 an early hour in the morning of the 17th instant for this place, at which I have the honor to re- 

 port my arrival. 



Our passage from Manila here has been characterized by a singular dissimilarity to the 

 passage there from Kelung. The first five days out there was either a dead calm or light baf- 

 fling airs and winds from the northward, and westward and northward, during which but little 

 more than an offing from the land was obtained ; since which, calms and moderate breezes have 

 prevailed, and, what is very unusual, there has been scarcely any southing in the wind, and 

 the weather has been remarkably pleasant, with the exception of one day. 



With the sincere hope that this will find you in health and happiness, I am, most respect- 

 fully, your obedient servant, 



JOEL ABBOT, 

 Captain United States Navy. 

 19s 



