Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-04-17
From tAe Skanghai Nora Cklaal Hera!a Sep %
The United States and Japan.

Itis our deliberate opinion that long be-
fore any action Of the British government
takes place with reference to Japan, the
question viii be settled by the intervention
Of the Americans.
The very harsh-indeed, cruel-treat-
r9ent to which ship-wrecked whalers have
been recently exposed when cast GpoE the
shores Of Japan, and the discourtesy with
which the American Commodore was treat
ed on late visit, will be in the remem-
brsuce Of our readers.
The American government (unless we
are m.isinlormed) has been subjected to
indign:iies from Japan officials far greater
than were inflicted on France by the Dey
Of Algieres, and the resenting Of which
caused the extinction Of that barbarous
power.
II may consist with the feeble policy ol
the present American Government to post
pone or neglect ell reference totbis matter;
but on the advent Of the more democratic
party to Office, we may certainly look for
a vigorous and energetic impulse or action
on the foreign relations OF that great repub
lie, and which may be felt even by the
Japanese government.
Should our anticipations in this respect
not be realized, still the existence Of the
mighty State now growing up with such
Aladdin-like rapidity On the shores ofthe
Pacific must lead, we think, TO the carly
removal Of such an International anomaly
as the present exclusive policy Of the Ja-
panese. At this time there is considers
bic American whaling fleet in the japan
ese seas. The emigration to California
will Immediately increase the navigation
ofthe Pacific.
1t is in the nature Of things that wrecks
on the shores OF Japan will henceiorth
be Of more frequent occurr2nce; and should
the treatment Of the survivors be similar to
that experienced there Of late, the chances
Of hostile collision between the United
States and japan win greatly increase.
Republics, ii is alledged, are essentially
pugnacious; and nothing to our minds
would be more provocative Of indignation
in high-spirited people than the maltreat-
ment OF their fellow-citizens, whose i'll for
tune had doomed them to be cast upon the
inbospiiaple shoresof Japan.
Thus the gold discoveries in California,
and consequent settlement in that country
will lead. we believe, inevitably to the ear
ly opening up Of Japan TO western inhu-
ence and intercourse.
We would wish that this desideratun
should be obtained by so me peaceful inter
veniion, but must confess that we despair
Of 50 satisfactory solution or this prob
lem. Itmay be urged that for many long
years the Californians viii have enough
to doin eubjugatiog the vast wastes Of
their own country, and extracting there
from its precious deposits. Toa greatex-
tent this must be admitted; but in cornmu-
nifty constituted as that ofCaHforuia viii be,
il Is pretty evident that TO some minds
there viii BE sort Of fascination il The
prospect Of forcing an entrance into the
hitherto impervious and inaccessible en-
pire Of japan.
Indeed, no one Of common intelligence
but must, more or less, be affected By
somewhat similar Influences. Not alone
the merchant who seeks profitable ad-
venture, but the statesman and philosopher
would alike be interested il such an event.
We shall return to this subject on fu-
tnre occasion. Meantime we shall be OBJ
liged by any Information with regard to
the existing relations Of China and Japan,
about which there are SO many strangely
dscrePant accounts.