Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-01-20

striking, with rich valleys and extended and
well watered plains. The coast is indented
with deep bays and secure Ravens. The islands
are OF volcanic origin: gold, silver and copper
mines abound, and iron, coal, sulphur, cinnabar,
(the ore OF mercury &C., are found in different
districts. The vegetable productions are nu.
'nerous and valuable. The population is esti.
mated at 20,OO0O00, who rank with the most
wealthy and industrious nations Of the East, and
VINO seem to have attained higher degree Of
civilization than the Chinese, before whom thew
rank IN physical energy, independence of mind,
lofty sentiment of honor, and an eager desire
TO become acquainted with foreign objects Of in.
tercsf, either IN art or science. The Japanese
arc entirely independent Of the Chinese with
whom they carry on but small amount Of trade,
The Dutch are allowed 10 resort to the port of
Nangasaki, where they dispose of two annual
carSoes IN legitimate manner confornable 10
'he rules oil the Japanese government, but they
also, II is said, carry on considerable contra.
oand traffic. The Portuguese had during the
earlier part Of the 18th century, a strong foot.
ing in Japan, and, it is said, converted 10000
families 10 Christianity. But their proselyts.
ing zeal outrun their discretion they conspr.
ed TO raise an army Of 10000 converted Japan.
csc to dethrone the Emperor, in which attempt
they were finally defeated and, it is said that
5UUoUO repuIed Christians were slain by tho
japanese government with the most barbarous
toriurcs-the Portuguese were utterly and for.
ever expelled from Japan. AT this period the
English and Dutch had factories on the small
island called Flrando, very close to the shore Of
one of the larger islands, with which an advan.
'ageons trade was conducted. The Dutch, with
the view of expelling the English. informed the
Japanese government that the English were
Christians like the Portuguese, az evinced by
the cross in their ilag-that the King OF Eng
land had recently married the King of Portugals
sister, and that the English were intriguing 10
re-lntroduce the Portuguese into Japan
Alarmed at this int lgence, the Japanese gov.
ernment, when the English shipping arrived A.
d. 1864, ordered their European cargoes TO DO
taken of their hands as before, and return
Japan cargoes to be provided as usual, and the
people to he cvlly treated, but at the same time
to be informed that they must quit Japan under
pam oil death, and not return again to trade with
the japanese, whose commerce was henceiorth
restricted to the Dutch, and who have ever
since arttuiIy excluded every other European
nation from intercourse with Japan. There can
De n" doubt that 1t would be ofgreat Importance
II we mad direct intercourse with apan.
The adjacent peninsula of Corea is about 400
miles long by 100 broad, inhabited BY tall,
handsome, and brave people, who always treat
the English with marked courtesy. The Co.
relns pay small annual tribute to China, but
are otherwise independent of its government;
and by fair dealing and prudent conduct we may
De able to open trade with an interesting,
peaceful, and intelligent people.
Siam, and the adjacent countries and islands,
contain several millions of an industrious popu.
lation whose territories abound in agricultural
and mineral wealth, atiording profitable ex.
change for British manufactures. The SUGAR of
Hi'm S cheap and plentiful; silks, spices, gums,
a!e.s'uifs, lin and copper, from mines and riv.
efs in large quantities, and employed as current
com, and for The purchase Of commodities
There is Portuguese consul at Bankok, The cap.
ltal of Siam; but England during the past cen.
fury seems entirely to have neglected this aud
other equally wealthy portions Of the globe.