EXTENSION OF AMERICAN COMMERCE IN THE EAST. 119 



domestic and religious customs, giving due obedience to the laws of the country in which they 

 reside. These people chiefly belong to the laboring and mechanical classes, though many of 

 them engage in trade, and with considerable success. They are singularly provident in their 

 habits of saving, and it is not unusual to find amongst them persons of considerable means, 

 their aim beiug to accumulate sufficient to enable them to return to their homes.* 



An American settlement, once firmly established in Formosa, would gradually increase its 

 social and political power, its area of landed possessions, and consequently its wealth and use- 

 fulness. Neither of the European governments could reasonably object to its advancement. On 

 the contrary, it would be their policy to foster and.protect it, because those of their subjects 

 trading in the east would equally benefit by the advantages which it would offer to the general 

 commerce of those seas. 



In a communication of mine to the Secretary of the Navy, dated Madeira, December 14, 

 1852, and published in Senate Ex. Doc. No. 34, of 33d Congress 2d session, I endeavored at 

 that early period to impress upon the government the importance of adopting timely measures 

 for securing an influence in that part of the world. I quote: 



" When we look at the possessions in the east of our great maritime rival, England, and of 

 the constant and rapid increase of their fortified ports, we should be admonished of the necessity 

 of prompt measures on our part. 



" By reference to the map of the world it will be seen that G-reat Britain is already in posses- 

 sion of the most important points in the East India and China seas ; and especially with refer- 

 ence to the Cbina seas. 



" Singapore commanding the southwestern, while Hong Kong covers the northeastern 

 entrance, with the island of Labuan on the western coast of Borneo, (an intermediate point,) 

 she will have the power of shutting up at will, and controlling the enormous trade of those 

 seas, amounting, it is said, in value to 300,000 tons of shipping, carrying cargoes certainly not 

 under £15,000,000. "f 



" Fortunately the Japanese and many other islands of the Pacific are still left untouched by 

 this gigantic power, and as some of them lay in a route of a commerce which is destined 

 to become of great importance to the United States, no time should be lost in adopting 

 active measures to secure a sufficient number of ports of refuge, and hence I shall look with 

 much anxiety for the arrival of the Powhatan, and the other vessels to be sent to me." 



The experience of my recent cruise did but serve to strengthen the opinion expressed in this 

 letter, and to confirm the policy of my oft repeated suggestions, that commercial settlements in 

 the China and Pacific seas will be found to be vitally necessary to the continued success of our 

 commerce in those regions. 



So long as such a settlement as I propose does not become a fortified place, and of sufficient 

 strength to excite the jealousy of other powers, it should be looked upon as a port of resort for 

 all nations. 



It would therefore be unadvisable to have any other defences than enough to protect the port 

 from the attacks of pirates and common marauders, of which there are very many in the 



c The natives of China who are sent away as coolies are of the very worst of the population, mere vagabonds ; and most 

 of those emigrating to California are of this character ; but those who are found in the countries bordering the ChiDa seas 

 and Indian ocean are of a better class. 



fSee Governor Crawford's opinion in "The Expedition to Borneo," by her Majesty's ship "Dido," chapter 24, published 

 by Harper & Brothers, New York, 1840. 



