Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-11

ondaDie zeal and th&best results. We have been Sble
permsnsq fDr ts aoconncS tan N Gun
ships at S1ziay tA goodwill Of the Hing Of Sardinia,
and all PUBLIC intsssst MD otenenoe redsre
IN safe ana coancdsous aavsE depes ny now re-
The onthe of the United States or the
home squadron, under the command of Commodore J. II
Newton consists at this time gate Columbia the
nag ship OF the commodore, and commanded by Com
mander Pendergast the steamer Saranac Captain Long
the soops OF war Albany Commander Gerry and Cyane
Commander Hollins, aud the steamer Fulton
Jackson The steam rgate Powhatan, Captain Meryine
was short time ago attached to this squadron and i'm
medatey dispatched, with the commodore on board on
special service to the ports OF Havana and Vera Cruz
Upon his return from this voyage it was found
in consequence Of the disability of the Princeton to
change her station and place her in the East India
dron. W n I, Nf
The steamer Saranac, detailed for duty in the home
squadron sailed the 4h Of October last for Rio de Ja
metro under the command Of Captain Long giving con-
Waller de Sodre, to the seat Of his own Government
Capt Long will be back it is supposed in few weeks
to reassume his position in the squadron from which he
detached for such other service as may await him
The Cyane has been recently ordered to cruise in the
neghbohood of the Island Of Cuba and visit the port
OF Havana The Albany is ordered to the quarter
and will for the present, remain at Pensacola.
The steamer Mississippi having been in condition for
her cruise to the East Indies time in advance Of the
rest of the squadron employed in the month of Au
gust last on visit to the coast of the British provinces
upon our northern border in service connected with
the question of the Fisheries She returned early in the
month Of September to her allotted station and
await the period Of her departure upon the long voyage
in which she is now engaged
Explorations and Surueys
During the past year the attention of this Department.
directed to the employment Of the East India squadron in
an enterprise Of great moment to the commercial interests
Of the Countrywide endeavor to establish relations Of
amity and commerce with the Empire of Japan.
ufa dict hinh
to the ports or territory of that country and the sngu
ary nhosptable laws which its Government has adopt
ed to secure this exclusion having been productive of late
years. of gross oppression and cruelty citizens of the
United States it has been thought take some
effective measure to promote better understanding with
this populous and semi barbarous empire to make the
effort not only to obtain from them the observance of the
rights OF humanity to such of people as may be driven
by necessity upon their coasts but also promote the
higher and more valuable end of persuadng them to aban
don their Improbable policy of seclusion and gradually
TO take place in that general association of in
which their resources and industry would equally enable
them to confer benefits upon others and the fruits of
higher civilization upon themselves.
The extension of the domain of the United States to the
shores OF the Pacific the rapid settlement of California
and Oregon the opening of the highway the 18TH
of Central America the great addition to our nay
CATION employed in trade with Asiatc nations and the
increased activity of whaling ships the vicinity Of
he northern coasts OF Japan are now pressing upon the
consideration Of this Government the absolute necessity
OF reviewing relations to those Eastern communities
which lie contiguous to the path of our trade The en-
forcement OF liberal system Of intercourse upon
China has met the approval Of the civilized world and its
benefits are seen and felt not less remarkably the pro-
gress OF that ancient empire itself than in the activity
which it has already impaired the pursuit of Eastern
commerce. China is awaking from the lethargy of a
thousand to the perception of the spirit of the pre-
sent era and is furnishing her quota the adj
venture which distinguishes and stimulates the settle
ment of our Western coast
These events have forced upon the people of America
consistent with the rights of the civilized world to de-
fer to those nconvenen and unsocia customs by which
nation capable of contributing to the relief of the
OF humanity shall be permitted to that duty
whether any nation may claim to be exempt from the adj
mtted Christian obligation of hospitality to those stran
gers whom the vacations of the lawful pur
suits of industry may have incidentally brought in need
OF its assistance and the still stronger case whether the
enlightened world will tolerate the inction of punish
ment or contumeous treatment upon the unfortunate
yoyager whom the casualties of the may have COM
PEELED to On unwilling infraction of barbarous law.
These are questions which every day becoming
more significant. That oriental sentiment which, hard
ened by the usage and habit of centuries has dictated
the nyeterate policy of national isolation in Japan it is
very apparent not long continue to claim the sanct-
y of national right to the detrment of the cause of
universal commerce and civilization this time SO sig
nay active in enlargng the boundaries of human know
ledge and the diffusion of comfort the earth The
day has come when Europe and America have found an
urgent nducement to demand of Asia and Africa the
rights of hospitality of aid and comfort shelter and sue
to the who pursue the great hghroads Of trade
and exploration the globe Chrstendom is constran
ed by the pressure of an increasing necessity publish
its wants and declare its rights to the heathen and in
making its power felt will bring nnumerable blessings to
every race which shall acknowledge its mastery.
The Government Of the United State has happily placed
itself in the front of this movement and may be re
garded of the NEST encouraging of its
success that the expedition which has Just left shores
takes with it the earnest good wishes only of our
own country but of the most enlightened communities Of
Europe. The opening of japan has become necessity
which is recognised in the commercial adventure of all
christian nations and is deeply felt by every owner of
American whaeshp and every voyager between Calfor
MIA and China.
This important duty has been consigned to the COM
handing officer Of the East India squadron gentleman
in every respect worthy of the reposed him. and
who contributes to its administration the highest energy
and ability improved by long and various service in his
profession. Looking to the magnitude of the undertake
ing and the great expectations which have been raised
both in this country and in Europe in reference to its
Suits the casualties to which it may be exposed and the
necessity to guard it, by every precauton within the
power of the Government, against the possibility of
failure, have thought it proper with your appreciation
to increase the force destined to this employment and
put at the disposal of Com. Perry a squadron of un-
usual strength and capability have therefore recently
added to the number of vessels appropriated to the
mand the neo battle-shp Vermont the corvette Mace
DOMAIN, and the steamer Allegheny. These ships toge
Their with the sodpofwar Vandalia originally intended
to be assigned to the squadron and with the ships
that station the steamer Susquehnnna and the soops
OF war Saratoga and Plymouth portion of which
now near to the term Of their cruise-will constitute
command adapted, may suppose, to any emergency
which the delicate nature of the trust committed to the
Commodore may present 1t is probable that the exhbi
ton Of the whole force which win be under the command