Tay-wan

The Chineſe divide the Lands they poſſeſs in Formoſa into three Hyen, or ſubordinate Govermnents which depend on the Capital of the Iſland ; each of theſe Governments has its particular Officers, who are immediately ſubjct to the Governor of that Capital, and he to the Vice-Roy of the Province of Fo-kyen, whereof Tay-wan or Formoſa makes a Part.

1738, J. B. Du Halde, “PROVINCE IV. FO-KYEN.”, in A Description of the Empire of China and Chinese-Tartary, Together with the Kingdoms of Korea, and Tibet, volume I, London, →OCLC, page 88

7. In all caſes of piracy committed by trading veſſels belonging to the iſland of Tay-wan (Formoſa,) the offenders ſhall ſuffer death by being beheaded, immediately after conviction; and their heads ſhall be expoſed to public view at the port of Hia-men (Emouy,) together with a written account of their crimes, as a warning to others.

1810, “Preconcerted Homicide—Murder.”, in George Thomas Staunton, transl., Ta Tsing Leu Lee; Being The Fundamental Laws, and a Selection from the Supplementary Statutes, of the Penal Code of China, →OCLC, page 561

Tay-wan, as the Chinese call it, is to the Chinese and Japanese Seas what Malta is to the Mediterranean. Hainan is a commanding point, in as far as southern Shin-wah or China and Tun-kwin or Tonquin are concerned; but Formosa, as the prolongation of Borneo and the Philippine Islands to Japan, is in a far more commanding position.

1869 February, “Formosa: The Beautiful but Neglected Island”, in The New Monthly Magazine, volume CXLIV, page 226