The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-01
Affairs of Japan.

IFrom the Polynesian, Nov.
Public attention is now turned towards the en-
pire Of Japan, which has SO long remained a sealed
book in the history OF the world, but which, TO
Judge from present appearances, Is soon destined
to be opened; English, French and Yakkee curl
osity le on the qs, vive to get peep at that Ia
booed land, and to become better acquainted with
the race of people who have so long managed to
pursue their exclusive policy without provoking
the hostility of foreign nations.
Formerly, the Japanese were a commercial
people, being, previous to 1886, engaged in trade
with sixteen countries, but owing to the difficulties
occasloned by the Jesuits and Portuguese, during
tercourse: The external commerce Of the country
Is now limited to two Dutch chips and twelve
Chinese junks annually. Nangasaki Is the port of
entry tor these vessels The expectation of nearly
every article except lacquered ware, camphor, and
copper, ID now prohibited. The profits Of the
Dutch trade have been greatly lessened by the re.
strctions placed upon importation and exporta-
hon They are only allowed to import $500, 900
nothing but camphor and copper.
Several vessels OF war have visited Japan, for
the purpose of opening intercourse. All efforts
t9 I,
wants Tree OF charge. and politely request them to
The whaling fleet are destined to exert a great
of Japan. Several whalers have already had COM
munlcation with the shore. Accounts of the vi
elts Of the Manhattan and lnez have been publish
ed IN our Columns. several wrecked Japanese
junke were, last year, picked up by the whaleships
cruising in the Japan Sea, and their crews put on
board fishing smacks. Capt. Tower, OF the Moe
tezuma. informs us, that, during his cruise this
season, he fell IN with junk disabled and drifting
to sea, the .c.ew OF which he saved and put on
board another Junk. Several boats crews have
landed, the past season. Captain Swain, Of the
David Paddock-which vessel was wrecked in
the japan Sea, Aug. 20th-landed on the south.
west cape of SaRhalin, where they remained three
days. They found only few inhabitants, most of
whom were Tarfars, and the remainder Japanese
They were treated with great kindness-furnlshed
with house and food gratutously-but not allow
ed to 60 into the interior, being guarded by body
OF soldiers -and, after being presented with four
or five thousand pounds Of rIce were reque sted TO
60 away. They accordingly left, in their boats.
and, in crossing the Matsmal sraights fell in with
the ship Globe. The Governor and principal men
were Japanese.
1t is believed that the common people of Japan
desire to hold intercourse with foreigners. but are
prevented byEiear OF their superiors and the law.
Many OF tke vessels cruising In their seas will
hnd pretcxts Tor landing and when their visits
become too frequent, the policy OF giving them all
they wish will become rather improbable, and
may, IN the end, induce the Japanese to receive
pay. SO many whalers annually visit the Japan
sea, that intercourse seems inevitable. II the ia
panese continue their policy Yankee curiosity will
econ be gratlfed, for il win be impossible to bow
a wrecked ships company out Of the country |
without q conveyance; and il they pursue an |
opposite course, they offer the pretext--so eagerly
sought by foreign nations-for interposition by
force.