The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-29
The Departure and the Prospects OF the Ja-
pan EApcC itiOn.


The sam which yote this corning shone upon tho
white rails Of the Mississippi, she bravcly stood
fo,ward on her course. In spite Of every obsta-
cle-difhcul,iss at home and difficulties abroad
indifference 1t Washington and snecrs at London
the flag ship Of the expedition has now, after
eighteen months delay, actually set sail for Japan.
1t is natural nay more, it is becoming, that at
this copjuncture should devote moment to in
curing what will be the fate, during the next six
months, of the brave men who sailed in the Nssis
sippi few remarks on the subject will be the
more opportune, are led to believe that APP
prehensons aimed in certain quarters lest
our squadron should meet with . formidable resist.
ance from the japanese. Croakers have not been
wanting to draw attention to the long period Of
time which has elapsed since the news Of the fitting
out Of the expedition must have reached Jeddo, aud
given the emperor notice to prepare his defence.
The resources Of the empire have been magnifed by
distance, and exaggerated by fear; the thirty mil
lions Who according to the latest accounts inhabi.
the japanese islands have already sTeed to double
that number. Thir courage AMI warlke propsnd.
ties have been dilated upon at length; the psople
Of Nippon, We are told, bear no analogy to the
Chinese or Hindoos, but combine the ferocious h.
bit Of the Afghan with the high-souled daring Of
the Sikh. They have arms, and know how to uss
them. Their cities are fortified and garrisoned by
bands Of resolute men. The people themselves are
law loving, and strongly attached to their govern
ment-they would die in its defence, as the gallant
RohiIlas did in former times What can Commo-
dore Perry DO, with his feeble force, against suoh
adversariesl
There ard similar remarks are uttered every day
by houghtless people in the streets Let ne see how
they bear the test Of . cAsm investigation.
The population Of the four japanese Islands can.
not be safely set down At upwards of thirty mil.
lions. Travellers estimates vary from twenty to
fifty millions; but those which adopt the lattsr
figure are based on a calculation of probabilities
which ia not entitled to much weight. OF these,
some thirty or forty thousand might possibly be
brought into the field. They have no artillery
worth mentioning and their powder is of the coArset
description. We have the evidence Of military
men Of high standing to prove that the Japanese
are utterly ignorant Of the rules of warfare With
all their valor they could effect nothing against
the ocpline and skill Of American sailors and SOL
diers Whatever might be the result of an invasion
into the heart Of Nippon, should any American
officer be fool hardy enough TO make the attempt,
we have little doubt that if his gracious Majesty,
the Ziogoon, ehould think fit to maltreat Conmo-
dore Perry his men, the walls and roofs Of
Jedde would be instantly knocked down about his
ears, and, from the want Of efficient batteries and
well equipped vessels. Heet would be secure from
retaliation.
But this result-which Heaven forsfend-is pre-
dicated en- the hypothesis that the japanese win
commence open hostiities against the OK expedition.
We cannot discover any grounds on which such
superstition can be tonsble
Commodore Perry's mission affords no pretext for
hostilites He L. the bearer Of civil message from
our President to the Emperor Of Japan, soliciting
for steam vessols the right Of taking in coal at
Jeddo, at any other japanese port which might be
selected. The message is couched in the most
friendly terms and the Commodore is directed to
convey to the Zogson the assurance Of our high re
gard for himseh and bis government. His iussrus.
tions do not even assert the undoubted principle
that the jealous sccusion in which it 10 the p,cy
Of the japanese to dsoil is an Infringement Of the
natural rights Of all foreign nations. The Commo-
dorc il empowered 70 Ggn . treaty Of amity and
commerce" with the empire of Japan but IL docs
not appear that, If tho Emperor should decline to
make any such treaty, our representative would DO
justified 10 resorting 10 compulsory measures, or
even threats. According to the letter Of nstruo.
tions addressed 10 Commodore Aulick by the
tinid whig administration. it would seem that Il
the reply Of the Japanese was straightforward rs
fusal, the Commodore could do nothing but weigh
anchor, and return homo with flea in his ear.
II, then, hostilties ensue, II win be gratui-
tous act on the part Of the Japanese. The his
tory Of the past affords no example Of any SINH
lar unprovoked aggression. At the times whom
tho rule OF seclusion most vigorously enforced,