These particulars have been received "from a native of the Province where what he states occurred; and who lived with people by whom Mfr. Thomas was soon, and who possibly assisted at his tragic end. As my informant was well acquainted with the whole story, it was not necessary to get at it piecemeal as I did the other news. I shall therefore ro-port simply and purely what he told me, Without any comment of my own, "When it became known in China that the French priests were murdered in Coren, the Emperor of China hastened to advise our Government that the French were preparing themselves for the Corea, and that therefore we had botter male arrangements to receive them ina suitable manner. Meanwhile, an European vessel, the ' General Sherman," thinking ita fayorable moment for doing business, arrived at the Island of Zchoto, and entering the river Picung-an, anchored about three miles below the Town of same name, which is the Capital of my Provines. The vessel, on arrival, fired some shots, it is not known why; but at any rate no one was killed or wounded, and it is thought the canon only contained powder. A Inrge number of natives approached gradually, and at Inst went on board. They were much surprised to meet an European named Telen-nan-toni, (Alc, Thomas's Corean name) who spoke the Corean language very well, being familine even with the polite phrases common amongst them He said he was English, which led to th belief that allen boerd were the sane.
The Governor of the Province informed the Regent, who gave orders, about the Gth or 7th day following, to' put all the strangers to death. The prefect of police, by order of the Governor, boarded the General Sherman," and asked what she was, and her business there. I don't know the answer given, but when he wanted to go he was detained on board, no doubt in order to prevent the Coreans firing upon the vessel, and setting fire to her. Meanwhile the river, in consequence of heavy rains, overflowed; and when the water went out somewhat, the European vessel grounded about 50 yards from the bed of the river, on the tight side, there not being sufficient water to float her, the depth being only about the height of a man (about 4 feet.) The mandarin then invited the Europeans on shore; and six men went in the small boat—they were armed with swords and small guns (pistols or revolvers.) They entered a sort of Bungalow, where the mandarin went to visit them, Viands, fruit and wine were offered; which were not at once accepted but as the Coreans fancied that the fear of poison might have something to do with the refusal, they themselves commenced to eat; so, to shew they were not suspi cious, and from a feeling of politeness, the Europeans also ate and drank, talking the while with the mandarin and the people who had collected in large numbers to enjoy the sight. 'There were several thousands from the town and adjacent villages; but although they evinced great curiosity, there was' not the slightest sign of ill-feeling or hostility. Suddenly, for no cause whatever, on a sign from the mandarin, his guards threw themselves upon the Europeans, and bound their hands behind their backs with cords and chains. Feeling indignant at such treatment, Mr. Thomas said Why do you act thus The mandarin replied "Tt is. our custom, when we wish to be friends with anyone, to commence that way." Whilst they remained so garrotted, the Governor ordered the ship to be burnt, and those still on board to be killed, A sampan was first sent alongside the ship, and the Protect jumped into it; but his servant had not time to reach it, and fell in the water, where he was drowned although the depth was only four feet. All this so frightened the Prefect of Police that he was mad for time; he is dead now. As soon as the Prefect reached the shore, they fired on the European vessel, and "s they feared to approach her, some thirty native boats were loaded with dried branches of fir trees, and being set on fire were success sively carried out by the tide; men hidden behind the boats, up to their necks in water, guided them as near the shipes possible, and then, diving under water, went ashore to get others. The people on board the ship were able to keep off some of the fire boats, by means of poles and boat hooks; but it was impossible to fight long against such odds, and the vessel having caught fire, she soon blew up with a great detonation. Immediately on the explosion of the vessel, the Gorernor ordered hi guard and the people to rush upon the si men who were tied up; and thereupon they were killed in a horrible manner, with guns spears and stones. There is a small uninhabited Island, near this part of the river (viz., about three miles below thejtown of Piong-an). An o y shallow grave was dug there, and all the bodies were flong in, tke ground being thrown over them. It is said, in the country, that there were only ten men altogether, The following year, the water owed over the Island, carried away the mound of earth, all the bon The ship's town of Governor was well rewarded, his employment was prolonged, and in the 7th month of 1872 he was sent to Peking as Ambassador representing Corea at the marriage of the Emperor, Whilst he was away, the Regent and the people were: very anxious as to his safety; because, as he was the cruel executioner of Europeans, it was feared these would revenge themselves for the massacre of their fellow countrymen. Tan give the name of this person, when necessary. In 1859-60—during the China war, he was in Peking as an Ambassador of the 8rd Class, His idea of the valour and military strength of Europeans was very high, and he was so impressed with what he witnessed in Peking, that he dared not leave the town whilst the tragic scenes in regard to the "General Sherman" were taking place; his orders were all despatched from the Palace; and thus he earned the gratitude of his Government."
1f the preceding details be true—and there is really no doubt about them in my own mind—what must we think of the answer sent by the Corean Government to Commander Febiger in 1868, and of the treatment the people of the " Chusan" received in 18707 Perhaps these latter owe their lives only to the fact of their presence on Corean soil being ignored by the Regent, Yours truly, Newchwang, 17th February, 1873, HONGKONG, The Daily Press hears that an arranges ment has been concluded between the local Insurance Ollices and the Great Northern Telegraph steamer H.C. Orsted, for endeavouring to recover the cargo of the Sedan, Admiral Shadwell, Commodore Shortt and Sir A. Kennedy went to Canton in the Salamis on the 1th, Governor purposes ty have an interview with the Viceroy of Kwangtung. 'The Iron Duke and Opossum proceed to. Whanipoa, the former to lie up in frosh water an the latter to act as tender, The Royal Humane Society's medal has been conferred_on Alfred Freeman, a sailor of the unate, last' year, at Amoy, Twenty: tok Iron Duke, for saving the life of a shi
English Policemen have arrived in the Ajai, The China Mail hears that the $75,000 prize in the Manila Lottery fell toa rattan-chair-anaker in Shanghai. "Itis complained that the waters outside Hongkong harbour are infested with lepers, who live in boats ostensibly for the purpose of fishing, but cally plunder lonely boats. 'The Chinese declare that they eat human flesh, under an idea that it is good for their discase, but this is probably a fiction, A Mr. Pauncefort has given a reading from Dickens' works at the City Hall. It is well spoken of, but was badly attended, Dr. Legge is about to lecture on Two Heroes of Chinese History." A boat race was to come off on the 18th; and the usual Garrison Sports on the 27th, Five English seamen were admitted to the Remi Church last week, by Rev. T, Raimondi, The winter series of Lectures was concluded on the Lith, by a farewell lecture by Dr. Legge, on Two Heroes of Chinese History—Dukes Wan and Hwan, who flourished some 2,500 years ago. A balance of $280 remains as the result of the series, to be applied to the Public Library. The Daily Press reports that small-pox appears to have broken out in several places amon, the European community, The China Mai notes that all the piles of the strait or 1,000 feet pier are driven, and most of the planking finished. An appeal case of Captain De Gourgon of the French steamer Charles the Marine Mayistrate's de-he was fined $500 for a mance No. L of 1862 in fitting ship with iron geatings, was heard lith, resulting in the case being to the Magistrate for additional
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.