No. 157.
Mr. Henderson to Mr. Davis.
United
States Consulate,
Amoy, June 6, 1874. (Received August
5.)
No. 32.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose copies of
correspondence between Com. A. Kautz, U. S. N., and myself, on the subject
of the Japanese expedition to Formosa and American intervention therein.
Also copy of a notification which I have issued in co-operation with the
United States naval forces on this station, hoping it will, in view of the
peculiarity of attending circumstances, meet the approval of the Government,
and may be, for the time being, discourage Americans from having anything
more to do with that enterprise.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 32.]
Mr. Henderson to
Commander Kautz.
United
States Consulate,
Amoy and
Dependencies thereof, June 4, 1874.
No. 20.]
Sir: I have the honor to state that I have
received an official dispatch from the Chinese authorities of this
province, informing me that the island of Formosa is a part of the
Chinese Empire, and that the Japanese armed forces now at Liang Kian
have entered that island in violation of law and their treaties.
They request me to prevent citizens of the United States from having
anything to do with the affair, and say that they have demanded that the
Japanese evacuate the island at once. I suppose there is no doubt but
there are some Americans engaged in this business, and if so it is
probably in opposition to the laws of the United States and our treaty
obligations with China; and as United States consul charged with the
execution of those laws and obligations over there, I respectfully
request your co-operation and assistance in compelling them to
desist.
If this suggestion accords with your sense of duty, we can hereafter
determine wha mode of procedure we will adopt.
I am, &c.,
[Page 318]
[Inclosure 2 in No. 32.]
Commander Kautz to
Mr. Henderson.
United
States Steamer Monocacy,
Amoy,
China, June 5,
1874.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your communication of the 4th instant, requesting my
co-operation in compelling the Americans to leave the forces of the
Japanese now in Formosa.
I have referred the matter by telegraph to the commander-in-chief of the
United States naval forces on the Asiatic station, and will advise you
of the nature of his reply as soon as I receive it.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
A. KAUTZ,
Commander United States
Navy.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 32.]
notification.
United
States Consulate,
Amoy and the
Dependencies thereof, June 6, 1874.
Whereas the Chinese authorities of the Foh-kien province have informed me
that a Japanese armed force has invaded the island of Formosa; that that
island is a part of the Chinese Empire, and have requested me to prevent
American citizens from taking part in the enterprise; also, that they
have demanded of the Japanese forces its immediate evacuation; and
Whereas citizens of the United States in China, are under the protection
and subject to the jurisdiction and laws of their own country:
Now, therefore, I, the undersigned consul, charged with the care of
American interests and the execution of the laws Of the United States
and treaty obligations with China in the island of Formosa, hereby
notify and command all citizens of the United States to at once
withdraw, and hereafter abstain from all enterprises unfriendly to the
Chinese government, and to avoid all acts which are inconsistent with
the said laws and treaty obligations.
Any citizen of the United States who shall refuse to comply with, or
offend against, the provisions of this notification, shall forfeit the
protection of the American Government.
J. J. HENDERSON,
United States
Consul.
