The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-09-18

promptitude energy, and determination OF an
American naval officer, in defiance OF the Gus
tomary opposition, threats, and eyaslons OF the
japanese officials
In view of the facts relating TO the case, as
stated in that journal, it is imperatyely incum-
bent on our Government TO adopt immediate
and energetic measures to compel the Seogoon
OF Japan to make the most satisfactory atone
ment and naturalization for such barbarous
and outrageous treatment of shipwrecked Ameri-
cans, and guaranty the rites Of hospitality and
friendly protection to our countrymen who may
hoSeafter have the misfortune to be thrown
upon the coasts of Japan, or compelled to put
into any of the ports of the Empire, by stress
of weather, or in want of assistance.
In my communication respecting Japan and
the Independent Oriental Nations, which had
the honor of addressing you under date OF the
14th of March last, after the resignation OF
Hon. John w. Davis, United States Commits
soner to China, took the liberty of suggest
ing that his successor be vested with authority
to enter into negotiation with the japanese
Government for the opening Of that Empire
to our commerce, and submitted Herewith the
draft of an appropriate Letter Missye from
President Taylor to the Emperor Of Japan,
which met with your approval. Let such a
Commissioner be appointed and clothed with
| the requisite authority and Instructions and
despatched to Canton without delay. Let him
proceed thence with the whole United States
squadron in the China Seas direct to the Bay
of Yedo and up to the capital and demand an
| audience with the Seogoon, or the Head of the
proper Department of the Imperial Govern
ment holding no official or personal intercourse
with any other subordinate japanese function
ary and submit to that Government, categorl-
cally, the following ultimdtum
list Full and ample indemnity and repara-
ton to the shipwrecked American seamen, for
their detention, imprisonment and barbarous
treatment by the Japanese officials, during their
captivity in that Empire, together with the ex-
penses of sending and maintaining a squadron
there TO demand such indemnity and repara-
ton. the amount of which to be specified in the
Commissioners Instructions and Guarantee
or Pledge to be exacted from the Japanese Gov
eminent for its future good conduct towards
Americans, and the citizens or subjects Of
Nations in amity with the United States in the
dominons of Japan, under the penalty Of being
held strictly accountable to our Government for
the detention, Imprisonment or i'll usage of
American citizens within that Empire; and,
moreover, to the payment of five thousand dol
laTS W lllt VI iCShi CpiCoththei'Oo VI ohy
. - -, 49,, sa'sa- 10th thorain jn
consequence of violence or in usage; with ali
incidental expenses of recovering same, if deem
ed necessary, by an United States Squadron.
I'd. In all cases where American vessels are
compelled by stress of weather, in want of repair
or assistance, to put into any of the ports of the
Empire. that they may be aided and provided
with necessares to reft at the current prices Of
the country: and, in case of shipwreck, that
they receive kind and hosptable treatment and
be forwarded with their goods and effects as
soon as practicable, to the care of the United
States Consul, Batavia, or be delivered on board
any American ship or vessel in Japan and full
Reimbursement of all incidental expenses shall be
made by the United States to the Japanese Gov
eminent
3D. The opening of certain ports of the En-
pire and it's Colonial Dependencies to American
Commerce, the right of establishing United
States Consuls or Commercial Agents therein
and of accredting an American Minister or
Commissioner to the Court of YedO, and who
are to be protected in all the recognised rights
privileges, and mmunities, incidental to such
functionaries under the Law of Nations; and
specially exempted from any degrading cere-
monials or observances incompatible Herewith.
The Minister or Commissioner to hold direct
personal and official intercourse with the proper
Department of the Imperial Government at Yedo,
upon terms of perfect equality between the two
Sovereign and Independent Nations
4th The privilege of establishing Coaling
Stations for American Trans-Paciic Steamers
between San Francisco and Shanghai at port
or ports in Japan Proper, as shall be designat- |
ed for such purposes; at the Island of Tsus-
Sima, in the Strait of Corea at Matsmai, the
Capital of Yeso, and at the Loo-Choo Islands,
and also to trade mt those places; and Ameri-
can Whaling Ships to have the privilege of
catching whales off the Coast of Japan, and in
the different Bays of Yeso and the Japanese
Kurile Islands, without molestatiOn, and OftOuch-
ing therein to re6t or procure wood, water, and
provisions.
5th The foregoing articles TO be embodied
in Commercial Treaty or Convention with the
Seogoon of Japan, and of which the treaty of
Wanghia, of the Sd July 1914, between the
Emperor of China and the United States, shall
form the basis
In the event of n noncompliance with the
above utimatum, ON the part of the Seogoon,
the Commissioner should be authorized and in
structed to establish strict blockade of that
Bay, as well as Matsmai, and such other of the
maritime cities and towns of Japan as he shall
deem expedient and make reprsals of the Ja-
panese commercial, tax and tribute-bearing
junks, until the Imperial Government of Japan
shall accede to said Ultimatum, or to such mod
ifcation thereof "a shall be satisfactory to the
Commissioner, and within the scope of his in
structons
There would be no difficulty, should proceed
ings of a compulsory nature be required in
putting stop to the greater part OF their coast
ing trade, which is very extensive, by intercept
ing the Imperial revenues in their progress to
the capital by sea, and taking possession of all
Government and trading vessels. AtSinagawa,
the port or maritime suburb of iedO, several
thousands of vessels are sometimes collected,
some bearing taxes in money or kind, others
laden with produce, merchandise, or fish; the
latter being n staple article of food with all
classes of the Japanese were the daily supplies
for the capital once stopped, that Government
would soon be brought To terms.
Japan il vulnerable at every point and, al
though brave and warlike nation, they have
no means of land defence adequate to resist
single frigate Most of their forts are of paint
ed canvass; their powder is very bad and they
are quite inexpert in the use of artillery Their
troops are chiefly armed with bows swords,
spears and matchlocks None of their jjunks
exceed three hundred tons, and they do not pos
sess single vessel Of war. =
The Secular Emperor of Japan, and whose au-
thorty extends to all Civil and Military affairs
of the Empire, is generally called by his title
SeOgoon. or "Generalissimo," or that of Cubo
which has nearly the same Specification. He
resides at Yedo, called the Eastern Capital"
The Mikado, or Spiritual Emperor and Sove-
reign PontiH of the Sintoo Religion, resides at
his capital, or See of Miaco and has sole juris-
diction in all Religious matters He is never
consulted on State affair, except in case of a
Declaration of War, or negotiation with Foreign
Powers
Formerly, the Princes of the different Provin-
cos of japan were almost soyereiyns in their