The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-01-30
Commercial Trcnties-Ths Extension OF
NlneyIcan Commerce.

We are fearful that the attention ofthe govern
ment and OF Congress is much absorbed in
Mexican matters, that everything connected with
our foreign commerce will be neglected, and
that we shall lose sight OF the movements making
by other governments 10 extend their trade to the
remotest corners OF the earth, and the formation
of such treaties with nations which have not
heretofore been included in the list of CONNER
cial countries, calculated to place us in an unfa-
vorabe position.
The government OF France has lately been
making efforts to open commercial intercourse
with the island Of Japan, and Great Britain in
tends not to lose the chance fexending the "area
ofcommerce." A French fleet, under the COM
msnd Of Admiral Cecile, arrived at Japan some
time since, but the reception it met with was not
of very hattering character The U. S. ship
Columbus, under the command of Commodore
Biddle, lately visited Japan, and the Com modore
was politely requested to depart as soon as
possible and not come there again. We should
Judge by these demonstrations to the vessels of
this government and France, that the Emperor
ofJapan not very favoraby disposed to an
extension Of the commerce of these govern
ments with his demnons.
1t appears by an article recently pub
lished in the Paris Prose-, that the King
of Netherlands addressed to the Emper OF
of Japan a friendly letter, for the purpose
of bringing about, if possible, the abolition, in
that distant kingdom, of the exclusive system
practsed for the last three centuries, with re.
spect to foreigners. Two years passed withou
any reply beirg given. At length, however, the
Emperor of Japan sent to the King Of Neither
lands reply, of which the following is the sub
stance:-
81 have watched with attention the events which have
brought about fundamental change in the policy of
you base the advice which you give to me, for
the most evident proof that kingdom can never enjoy
durable peace without the rigorous exclusion OF all
foreigners If China had never permitted the English 10
establish themselves large scale at Canton and to
take root there either the 9uarrels which caused the
would not have taken place, the English would
have found themselves weak, that they would have
at sunk in the conflict. But from the moment
when China allowed herself to be touched point
she rendered herself vulnerable others. This was
the reasoning of my great ancestor when he granted
you the faculty of trading with JAPAN and, but for the
proofs of friendship which you had frequently given to
country it is certain that you would have been
cluded as all the nations of the west have been Now
that you in possession of this privilege am willing
that you should continue to enjoy it; but will take
extend any other nation for it easier
maintain dyke in good preservation than prevent
the enlargement Of the breaches which permitted
init have given orders to my officers in consequence,
and the future will to that policy is wiser
than that of the Chinese empire"
This is about the richest thing Of the kind we
have seen for long time, but it is our impression
that some way will be discovered to remove this
restriction before many years elapse.
II is very important that the government of the
United States should make decided movement
in this matter. We are extending our possessions
SO rapidly on the shores of the Pacific, that tn e
trade of the islands of that ocean will be very
valuable to us. The hsrbors of San Francisco
and Monterey, will, in time, become the depo Is
of this trade. 1t should not be our policy to
wait the movements. of other nations in formin 6
commercial treaties with those islands we are not
at present in intercourse with, but should TAX e
the lead, and let others follow in track.
We trust the government will appoint proper
agents to make such treaties, and open those
channels for our commerce, which have hereto
70 been closed.