The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-26
JAPAN.

TIE proposed expedition to Japan mas De-
came the great TOPIC of the whole civilized
world. 1t is. probably, the only cause IN
which every nation spon the earth wishes US
TO be successful, for success will rebound TO the
benefit Of all.
Jaoan, as Mr.. Webster in his instructions 10
Commodore Aulick observes, is the last great
link of ocean steam navigation. That estab-
Gshed. our steamers, and those OF all other ma
tons. may traverse the waters OF the entire
globe. ,rad;ag With whatever nation they may
pass in their passage.
The New York Herald publishes portion
OF The narrative of Capt. Galomin, OF the Rus
sian navy, who was long captive in Japan,
and had every opportunity of studying the fea-
lures ofthe country, the genius of its inhabi-
,anis, its soil, productions and manufactures.
TIE productions OF this country are extremely
diversified, for, according to Capt g., though
its territory is comparatively limited, yet, from
the peculiarly of its position it has every vari-
ETY. Of climate. An enumeration of its princi-
pal productions will prove its vast capacity
Rice, fish, radishes, salt, cotton, silk, copper,
iron, timber, tea, tobacco, horses, oxen, hemp,
and tree, which they call Radzy, gold and
silver, lead, quicksilver and sulphur. 10
these we might add coal, which is said TO be
mose abundant there than in any o,herpart of
the world. Thus, it appears, the Japanese are
blessed witlra country, where the surface and
the bowels ofthe earth, not less than the wa
ter. contribute to pour their riches into their
laps.
If the government of the United States
should succeed in penetrating the deep veil OF
mystery that has hung over these secluded
people for twenty four centuries, that success
will form a most memorable epoch IN the his
tory Of the world. For that length OF time the
japanese have regular historical records. tho ,
they lay claim to much greater antiquity, and
during all that time, they have been the won
der and the subject Of curiosity of the world
the Free-Mason among the nations-as
mysterious, as incomprehensbe, as incapable
ofberaying their secrets, as the brethren of
the mystic tie.' The Jesuits, whose zeal in
making prosslytes is one of the most extraor-
binary features of modern history, were allowed
TO enter Japan in the 18th century, but they
were afterwards expelled, and great number
Of them massacred by the Infatuated natives
Since that time, the curtain which had been
lifted for moment, has fallen again, and all
again is dark.
In connection with this subject, we subjon
the lerer of Mr.. Webster to Commodore Au-
lick, which we find in the New York Herald,
and which was furnished to the Senate in pur-
suance Of theE resolution of 4th of March. 1t
develops, in some degree, the views of the
President in despatching the squadron TO Ja-
pan:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, ]
Washington, 10th June, 1851.
Com. JoHN H. AULlCK-Sir-The moment
is near when the last link in the chain of ocean
steam navigation is TO be formed. From China
and the Eest Indies, to Egypt, thence throug h
the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean. to
England, thence again to our happy shores,
and other parts of this great continent; from
our own ports to the southernmost part of the
Isthmus, that connects the western continents
and from its Pucifc coast north and south
ward as far MS civilization has spread, the
steamers of other nations, and of our own, car
ny intelligence, the wealth of the world, and
thousands of travellers.
Ii is the Presidents opinion that steps should
be taken at once to enable our enterprising
merchants TO supply the last link in that great
chain, which nnites all nations of the world, by
the early establishment of line of steamers
from California to China. In order to facili
tate this enterprise, it is desirable that we
should obtain from the Emperor of Japan per-
mission 10 purchase from his subjects the ne
cessary supplies OF coal, which our steamers,
10 their out and inward voyages may require.
The welD-knOwn jealousy with which the EN-
pire has for the last two centuries, rejected all
n frnn Mt haT Dasy tn
to their vessels, embarrasses all new attempts
to change the exclusive policy of that coun.
try.
The interests of commerce, and even those
ofhnnahity, demand. however, that we should
make another appeal to the sovereign of that
country, an asking him to sell 10 our steamers
not the manufactures OF his africans, or the
results of the toll of his husbandmen but
gill OF Providence, deposited by the Creator of
all things IN the depths ofthe Japanese Islands,
for the bere6t of the human family.
BY the Presidents direction, now transmit
to You letter to the Emperor of Japan, with
an open cOpy,) which you are to carry to Jed
DO, his capital, in your flag ship, accompanied
oy as many of the vessels Of the squadron
under your command, as may conveniently be
employed IN this service. Chinese traDsia-
non o. this letter will be furnished you by the
oahed Stntes Legation al Canton and sent To
youf anchorage at Hong Kong or Macao.
Al one OF the latter places you will probably
mneestwith natiena vessel, detached by the
Commodore ofthe squadron in the Pacific. fas
soa "'li perceive by the enclosed copy Of a
correspondence between this and the NAVY De-
rarImen',? 10 carry to you a number of ship.
lime ago picked Up al sea hy the h @,e some
iano, These men you will take with van 70
yeodo, and deliver them over to the officers of
the Emperor, giving them through your inter.
prefer, the assurance that the American GOV.
eminent will never fail to treat with kindness
any OF the natives Of Japan, when misfortune
may bring to our shores and that il exnen,s
similar treatment Of such of its own ci,,zsas
WHO may be drisen on the coast of Japan.
The letter of the President to the Empero,
Of Japan, you will deliver to such of his high