Mr. Adams to Mr. Stanley
My Lord: Prom information officially received by the government which I have the honor to represent, it appears that, on the 26th of March last, Commander Broad, of her Majesty’s sloop-of-war Cormorant, with a view to the rescue of such of the survivors of the American bark Rover (wrecked four days before, near the southern coast of Formosa) as might have fallen into the hands of the savages of that island, proceeded to the scene of this disaster, having on board a Chinaman as a guide, the only known relic of the crew.
On the arrival of Commander Broad at the place designated, the small boat of the Rover was discovered on the beach; but, on an attempt to land a force, a fire was received from a jungle so dense as to render it impossible to penetrate it with his small number of men; hence it became necessary to abandon the expedition. It is proper to add that Charles Carroll, esq., the British consul at Tam-suin, kindly interested himself in the matter, and actually accompanied the force for the purpose of rendering all the assistance in his power.
Under these circumstances, I am instructed to seize an early opportunity to express, through your lordship, to her Majesty’s government the high appreciation entertained by my government of the generous and humane conduct of Commander Broad and Consul Carroll on this occasion.
I pray your lordship to accept, &c,
Right Hon. Lord Stanley, &c., &c., &c.