The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1852-04-03
From the l'lttsburg Com. Journal,
The Expedition to Japan,

The Expedition to Japan.
!; is sad that the Expedition to Japan will
sail in few days. The squadron will consist of
the steam vessels Mississippi Su.quehanna, and
Princeton, ani ffigate, sloop of war, and
store ship. besides their usual armament, these
vessels will have on board light field pieces, aud
other offensive arms, suitable for any emergency
Commodore Perry will command the squadron.
The causes which have led our Government to
this step are not officially explained, Dor is the
precise object of the expedition declared 1t is
understood, however, that Commodore Perry will
demand the liberation of number Of American
sailors, whom. it is reported, the Japanese are
exhibiting in cages, Ike wild beasts lie will al.
so demand that American vessels shall be permit
ted to enter japanese harbors. when IN distress,
or when obliged to make repairs.
Our whale fisheries, in the height tsfhood Of
Japan are very extensive. Many vessels in go
ing to or returning from the whaling seas are
obliged to pass between two large japanese is
lands; aud when any one is unlucky enough to
be cast ashore, the crew are seized, and either
c'ged or Killed, or sometlIn. outrageops is done
with them. The whalvrs have to sail all the way
to the Sandwich Islands, to make the uecessary
repairs. Within the last year III Of them were
in the harbors Of those Islands at one time. They
because the japanese are determined to hold no
intercourse with foreigners.
These are the special complaints that have
been uttered against the unsociM Islanders, and
# they are true they are heavy enough. Our
sailors, IN their arduOus service, DO not merely
run the ordinary risks Of shpwreCk, but have the
additional terror before their eyes of vast Ar
chipelago, the nhospltable shores OF @tieh it j.
death TO touch, either Intentionally, on when dri-
ven by the relentless fury Of the elements.
We repeat, that if all the stories now circuat.
ing are true, our Government should hasten TO
demand redress; but some particular case OF vi.
ulaiOn Of the law Of humanity should be taken
~ the subject Of remOnstIauCe. If 1t is known
that American sailors who have been ship. wreck.
ed are now imprisoned in Japan a demand should
be made for them, and with this demand pro
test should be made against the lnhumaue rCgu.
lations Of the Empire. This is more consistent
auI Ju,thable than 10 make "a sudden protest,
backed by an armed squadron, against policy
to which all the world has thus far subm tied -
We think 1t more than probable that Com Per
~ Is instructed to demand, first the liberation Of
certain sailors known to be III Japan, and after
ward' to insist upon more LospIt.LIe treatment
IN future.
( Il /, asserted, however. that Com Perry, in
s'rucIous take wider field. The New York
Courier EHq,drcr says;
( II We are ccuectly Informed, Com. Perry will
not only demand rcIre,. for past offences against
u aud the release Of all American pri-oner. but
lie w,.l also ln-st upon the release Il ALL who
may lie held IN bondage merely fr their having
b .,n cast upon their shores by Providence no
matter t. what nation thry NAY belong. And
be Wil, insist tnu that IN future all lhr nations
ui the world tlall have the ILtt to seek the liar.