The Sun.
London, England, 1852-04-21 00:00:00

~,,
, ~ ,
,
' *5 t.' 1 AtTLIC *---11.1t,
- ~ 4 . - ;,- ' '
.

Losbo
N WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1852.

nutlet* Imo - 42.
towards that pets us
to wish well, very cordially,
the United States 1: expedition which the citizens of
—prudence protapti::tting out against the Japanese
pate but comparatiel;a; at
the same time, to antici-
enterprise in which the advantage from an
are so cxtravagantly
disproportionate. Altogethersl.9
.
►ill consist of three pewerfuT • Proposed squadron
sailing frigate, one corvette, and oantee'n'frigates, one
lie, aid of this force, 2 000 men, natre ship. With
polder like
purpose to wreak vergemice for two ~,natud2kilitarY,
interrupted cruelty upon an enormousilues of un-
Japan, an island embracing an extent
equivalent to more than the whole of ED 21.,,,C°11.ntrY
131100 , united! Namely, six r ' Itud
Veneta to as 1

extent of country spreading over no less than
266,600 square miles ! Or, to calculate the
matter yet more glaringly for its extravagance-2,000
Americans pitted against 30,000,000 Japanese. For
at that enormous aggregate has the population of
Japan been computed—the lowest estimate being
20,000,000 for its actual inhabitants. Yet with the
" ridiculously small amount" of the squadron already
specified do the citizens of the United States dream
of humbling the pride of this haughty and not undis-
ciplined race of islanders. The number of fighting
-men to be entrusted with this somewhat hazardous task,
is, on the first blush, altogether inadequate, alike for
the purposes of conquest or chastisement.
Hazardous we call the undertaking advisedly, be-
cause although the multitude to be assailed are un-
questionably barbarous in their utter igno-
rance of civilization, they are, nevertheless,
hardy warriors enough, warrior:, too, not unskilled
in the diplomacy of conflict, or the manoeuvres of
battle. During a certain period, indeed, the adven-
turous sons of Japan were employed as habitually in
the character of mercenaries in the adjacent islands of
the Pacific, as the Swiss in the Courts of Europe, or
as our own Sepoys in Hindoston—acting, moreover,
in that ,capacity with all the rugged valour of the
ancient condettieri. It appears manifest, therefore,
from the consideration of all these facts, from our
knowledge of the warlike disposition of the Japanese,
from our knowledge that their community is va-
riously estimated at an aggregate ranging from
20,000,000 as a minimum to 30,000,000 as a maxi-
mum, that the preparations made by the United
States are altogether insufficient for the exigency of
the occasion, while with a painful sense of this very
probable inadequacy it is impossible not to wish the
fullest success to the projected expedition.

Humanity, we have said, induces us to look for-
ward with eager solicitude ,to the triumph of the
American arms over the arms of the Japanese. Nor
in so speaking have we uttered anything like words
of extravagance. For the punishment proposed to be
administered to the people of Japan will be expiatory
of acts of cruelty on their part, more dastardly and
prolonged than have ever been recorded of any race,
however far removed from civilization, unless they
have happened to be two-legged wild beasts, such as
mere cannibals or anthropophagi I According to a
compact entered into some 200 years ago, the Dutch
have, been nominally allowed to send one animal ship
to Nangasaki, but otherwise the people of Japan have
traded with none but the Chinese. Foreigners of every
other country have been prohibited during the past two
centuries from holding any intercourse whatsoever
with the inhabitants. The penalty inflicted upon
such strangers to the soil as dared to penetrate be-
yond .its sacred frontiers was almost invariably
death, sometimes, but very rarely, commuted to per-
petual imprisonment. With such rigorous severity
have these most infamous laws of exclusion been en-
forced that even foreign vessels in distress have been
repulsed from the inhospitable shores of Japan, while
shipwrecked mariners saved from the tempest have
been thrown into dungeons, exhibited in iron cages)
and afterwards most cruelly executed. Against these
inhuman proceedings the United States (which of all
the powers of the world has, of late years, been the
most frequent sufferers in consequence) is at
length about to protest with the logic of
bullets and the eloquence of cannon balls.
Considering that the crimes about, therefore, to be
thus avenged are in open violation, not merely of the
inalienable rights of nations, but also of the sacred
and immutable laws of nature, it is, we repeat it,
again and again, most earnestly to be hoped that the
efforts about to be adventured upon by the Republic
of North America may be aignally decisive in their
character, leading, in fact, to the speedy and, of
course, compulsory abandonment of the system of
exclusiveness hitherto enforced by the Japanese.
Unfortunately the principal cities of Japan will be
found by the United States' squadron unassailable
from their inland situation. The buildings of the ca.
pital, Jeddo, may, it is true, be beaten down by the
American artillery, but with a force so pecu-
liarly insignificant as that of merely two
thousand, when brought against a hardy race
of disciplined barbarians numbering, as we have said,
from 20,000,000 to 30,000,000 altogether, it would
be vain or rather absurd to dream of pushing forward
to the wealthy and luxurious city of Meaco. Never-
theless, while these adverse circumstances are indis-
putable, there is likewise one remarkable fact which
is no less so—the fact that the idolatrous fanaticism of
the Japanese cannot be very readily roused against
their assailants by the spiritual potentate of
the island, the ancient influence of the Dairi
having long since passed away, giving place
to the more matter-of-fact power of the CUB°,
or secular Emperor. With his soldiers the naval and
military forces engaged iuthe United States' expedi-
tion will have to compete—and that the struggle may
prove very speedily advantageous to the latter is most
fervently to be desired, not only on behalf of the
sacred name of humanity, but likewise and in a par-
ticular manner of the no less holy cause of civili-
zation.

It is impossible to overrate the importance of the
measure of Chancery Reform introduced by the
LORD CHANCELLOR • into the House of Lords on
Monday evenint. It strikes at the very root of one
of the most serious abuses that has sprung up
during successive generations. It is the practice in
the Master's office, together with the entire system
of reference to other and different officers, that led to
the interminable delays and ruinous ex-
penses that were so loudly and so justly
complained of, and which, in fact, caused the entire
tribunal to stink in the nostrils of the public. For
that Lord ST. LEONARDS has brought forward a
radical remedy, one which will completely eradicate
the disease, and he has acted wisely and judiciously
in limiting the present Bill to the abolition of the
office of Master in Chancery, and the changes neces-
sary in " consequence of that abolition. It must
not for a moment be supposed that it is the
only measure of legal reform Which the Noble
and Learned Lord intends to submit to the con-
sideration of Parliament.. On the contrary, we
are assured an the highest authority that a Bill
to carry out the recommendations of the Chan-
cery Commissioners is at this moment in progress,
and that, in the course of the next three weeks, a
measure will be laid before their Lordships, intended to
carry into effect all the propositions which the Commis-
sioners suggested. This is satisfactory intelligence,
which will convey comfort to many an anxious
suitor, now suffering under " the hope deferred, that
maketh sick the heart." _ _

with the
ano df
wty riprevent
t
on the
The
pfirrsetsendtayßill, as we have stated, only deals
Master'soofff;lcieje.
Michaelmas
is to came intoForpeemrattbioant
perlod
vithbeiefbour senior Mastersm aasre teorrmet.ire on full sa-
laries,leave five Masters,
ness now before themw,.
ther beingll at present one vacant) will
business as during the inoatiedravrateoltoawi,,inndaeupefaalluethhe
other
may think fit to confide to their decision. They will,
powers
enabling however,
themha have additions)
to expedite the LORD CHANCELLOR
conferred on them,
matters so as to bring every
and
itio lietrh
suit to a speedy termination
dilly-
dallying that has been so extensivelydiscreditably .
:occupyingTheth the
resorted to by a certain elms
eminently beneficial
Noble and Learned Lord had,
woolsack in Ireland, introduced certain
strange to any, regulations
Had they
with thii. object, which proved
in their operation, but which, haVe n
been
not
yet been imported into this country.
Be, they would have removed 'many well-founded
complaints• But the Masters still sat for single
hours, considerable intervals elapsing between
each hearing, so that every question should be re-
peated over and over again, nsque ad nauseam.
A decision thu3 became unattainable, and
the proceedings became interminable. Either
party could resort to the Fabian policy, and
procrastinate to almost any extent, if willing
to incur the risk of costs, a danger that was
but slightly regarded when there was a "fund in
court" at which all sides could pull with impunity.
Now, however, matters must be proceeded with, or
the Master will know the reason why, and, as he will
be armed with stringent powers to stimulate the
tardy, we may reasonably anticipate that every cause
will be brought to a speedy conclusion unless good
and sufficient reason should be assigned for its
retention within the jurisdiction of the Court.
So far for the suits now pending, and which have
already been referred to the Masters for inquiries and

reports. Bat the improvement will he more striking, I
and far more beneficial, in all C3UR.I hritny.tt
the Gaut in ana cAfter Mich..- T. -

forward there will be no references. The Judges in
Equity, the Master of the Rolls, and the
three Vice• Chancellors, will, with the assist-
ance of their respective chief and second clerks,
dispose of all the business heretofore transacted by
the Masters. The whole of the cumbrous machinery,
which so fearfully multiplied the expenses and re-
tarded the progress, will be completely got rid of.
The same person who decides on the facts will de-
termine the law applicable to that state of facts ; or if
it be impossible to pronounce a complete decision, he
will be enabled personally to conduct the necessary in-
quiries, to see that they are pertinent, and to prevent
either party from riding off on collateral issues.
The Judge-Master question will thus be satisfactorily
decided, the important problem raised by the Society
for Promoting the Amendment of the Law, so ably
argued in the Lew Review, and which we have
ourselves advocated for many years, will at length be
solved, and that in the most complete and conclusive
manner, so that cases will, under the new regime,
be disposed of in as many days from the first hearing
and the interlocutory judgment, as they have here-
tofore required years, and that, too, at a tithe of the
outlay.

The learned and distinguished Judges who have
lent their aid to carry out this admirable plan
—the MASTER of the ROLLS, and Vice- Chancellors
TURNER, KINDERSLET, and PARSER, have entitled
themselves to the marked thanks and gratitude of the
community, for the patriotic feeling which has in.
duced them freely, and gratuitously, to undertake so
large additions to their already onerous duties. They,
hive disregarded all personal considerations, looking
only to the public benefit, and we trust that the pc).
ple will duly estimate the zeal that has induced these
Learned Gentlemen_ to consent freely to the chang4
, involving so much additional labour on their parts.
There is no portion of theßill in:which Lord BT.;
LEONARDS has exercised a wiser discretion than in his
resolute avoidance of Southanapton.bdildings. If the
clerks once got from under the eyes of their respec-
tive principals, they would become to all intents and
purposes "masters," carrying on separate and indei
pendent jurisdictions. Now,lit is the chief objeCt of
the present measure that they should ha in all re=
spects subordinate, diminishing the labour. of dui
judge, by clearing the way, and leavindonly essential
points on which his opinion should be taken, kit Poi
being in any degree substitutes or deputies.
./701
the, present suitable chambers are to be provided
Lincoln's Inn for these learned judges and their re-
spective Staffs until proper courts can be.erected. No
expense of any consequence will be necessary, for the
sale of the chambers .in Southampton-buildings
provide the requisite fundy. The change will also.
have this good effent,:that the courts must heneefor.;
ward hold their 'sittings at Lincoln's Inn, and no
longer vibrate between it and 'Westminster. When
this is affected perhaps suitable courts will be erected
in the vicinity of the different inns of court: for the
transaction of all the law. business of the country.

' To-morrow evening the Honourable Gentleman
the Member for Manchester will bring under the
consideration. of the House of Commons the different
taxes on knowledge, and .will move, in separate
resolutions—That such financial arrangements ought
to be made as will enable Parliament to dispense
with the duty on paper. That the newspape
stamp ought to be abolished. That the tax on
advertisements ought to be repealed. It ,is morei
than probable that Honourable Gentlemen,
who will speedily have to meet their constituents face
to face, will lend their aid in 'cairyirig out some or
all of these important objects. It is also'certain that
the *CHANCELLOR of the EICRECiuER. will receive
suggestion more favourably than' his prede-,
cessor, to whom the• gross and palpable in!
justice of any - impost appeared to be its
strongest recommendation. We can scarcely conceive
Mr. DISRAELI affirming the propriety of a law which
charges as high a duty on the humble appli-
cation of a wretched sempatress or servant-maid
out of place, fore. employment as on the an•
nouncement of the sale, of widespread
domains, or the organization of Leviathan companies
with millions of capital. We do not mean to say that
the tax on advertisements is not objectionable in every
case. It is, indeed, equally impolitic in all, as crea-
ting an impediment to the publicity that is exceed-
ingly desirable. But it is not attended with the same
heartrending results, which render it as cruel as it is
unjust and inexpedient. There are many, alas ! too
many persons, whose only capital is their labour, whose
only aspiration is to obtain that occupation which
will enable them to gain an honest livelihood
To these we refuse assistance through this infa-
mous law. They shall not make their wishes known
unless on payment of a sum which would supply them
with bread for a week, and hence many hundreds,
aye, thousands are driven to the union workhouses,
or to the most heartrending miseries through the
malign operation of the tax on advertisements.,
Gladly would
.we, see the other matters alluded,
to by Mr. GIBsoN abolished, but• 'the adver-;
tisement duties are even mire pressing ;
and we would gladly accept their repeal as
an instalment of justice during the present session.
Mr. DISRAELI has a large surplus, and although
there are many claims on him, he might surely make
some concession in a matter which poasesses peculiar
claims on his consideration. A boon on such a
point gracefully conferred would have a strong
effect at the present moment, and afford the best
answer to the prejudiced reports that have been raised
against him. The repeal of the advertisement duties,
and an equitable modification of the income-tax,
would be most favourably received throughout the
length and breadth of the land. There is not a single
constituency in the empire in which they would not
be bailed with pleasure and gratitude.

PORTUGAL.
(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH )

PORTSMOUTH,
W EDESDAY MORNING.

Her Bisjesty's ship Eneountcr (14), Captain Gor.
don, arrived at Spithead this morning from Lisbon
which she left on the 15th.

The Queen and King had embarked in the war-
steamer Terceira at 7 in the morning of the 15th to
proceed up the Tagus as far as Villa Franca, whence
the Court would go on to Coimbra, Leiria, Porto,
and Vianna, returning to Musa and Cintra
about the 15th of May. The Duke of Saldanha ac-
companied their Majesties, but the Duke of Terceira
had not arrived at Lisbon in time, the French war-
steamer Newton not having returned with his Grace
from Cadiz at the time appointed.
The Tagus packet, with the Peninsular mails of the
7th, arrived at Lisbon on the 11th, and left for Gib-
raltar on the 12th.

The Teviot, with the Brazil mails of the 9th, ar-
rived on the 13th, and left for Madeira on the 14th,
at seven in the morning. All well.
Our correspondent feared that few of the mer-
chsnts would have been enabled to answer their Eng-
lish letters, as the Encounter's leaving for England
on taking a mail bad been posted at the British post-
office at two r u , and it was understood she was to
leave in two hours after that time.