The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-09-30
THE JAPAN EXPEDITION.


frequently had that letter in my nand.
THE JAPAN EXPEDITION.
The Baltimore Sun states that it has autho-
rity for saying that the preparations for the
United States expedition to Japan. are rapidly
approaching completion-that il is much more
formidable than was at first anticipated, con.
sisaog of three superior steamships-of-war-
that the steamship Mississippi, Capt. Long.
will sail from New York from the FIRST to the
tenth of November, in company with the
steamer Princeton, Captain Lee, as the flag
ship of Commodore Perry, who commands the
expedition. The Sun speaks in high terms of
the new boilers and other machinery manufac
tured for the Princeton, and of the trim and
condition of that ship Itself.
All this is directly contrary to what has been
stated in some of the New York papers. These
papers asserted, with the most unblnshng eff
fronte!y. that the Princeton was altogether un-
seaworthy, that if she ever sailed for Japan,
she would founder in the first gale of wind
which she encountered-and that the best
thing that the Government could do with her
was, to lay her up in ordinary, and make
Scholarship Of her. BY the same papers it
was said, with regard to the expedition itself,
that it had altogether failed, for want of men,
We did not believe any of these statements
from the first, for we were informed, months
ago, by officers of the Navy, that there was no
want Of men. and that all the ships were in
first rate condition. Nor, under any circum-
stances, could we ever be brought to believe,
let the exigencies of commerce be what they
may, that the Government of the United States
could not find men enou gh for its purposes, in
spite OF California, Au stralia, and a thousand
such golden lands.
CHANGE OF Observation-Disclosures. r. H.
and E. A. Gallaher announce their withdrawal
from the Republican with a view of turning
their attention exclusively to other pursuits"
They have disposed of the establishment to
Messrs. John Graeme, Jr. and James w. Lew
ellen, who have been connected with the estab-
lishment for number of years, and who are
recommended to the favorable consideration
and support of the friends of the paper. The
editorial department will remain under the con-
troll of Mr.. D. p. Baldwin. This new arrange
ment takes effect on the LIST of October, and
the new proprietors assure the patrons of the
paper that they will spare no efforts to make
the Republican in every respect worthy the
most liberal encouragement and support.
MADAME SoNTAG's FIRST CoNCERT.-Tbe
New York papers give a glowing account of
Madame Sontag's debut in that city on Mon
day night last. The audience, it is said, was
very large, and resembled more the levee of
royal court than the unostentalious plainness
of republcanism. Most of the ladies were in
"full Dress and opera hoods were in great
profusion. The ladies were attired in the high
est modes of taste, and many Of them resplend-
ent with jewelry. The scene was full of ex-
citement and the concert described as the most
magnificent affair of the kind ever brought for
ward in New York.
The concert opened with the overture to Der
Freschutz, played by an orchestra of seventy
instruments conducted by Carl Eckert. After
other exercises, Madame Sontag was conduct
ed TO the front of the stage by Carl Eckert. She
was magnifcently attired in white satin
dress, Powered. and covered with the finest
white lace, with pink founces. The dress was
made in New York and cost $500. Her hair
was tastefully decorated with carnation pinks.
and on her neck glittered diamond necklace
of great value. She also wore a costly diamond
of sparkling beauty on her bosom, and displav.
ed magnificent gold armlets on her wrists.
The tout ensemble, says the Herald, Madame
oontags appearance was splendid and encban
tlng, and joined to her graceful, Sigh, though
uishihed inquire, she looked most fascinating
parsonage. Her first song was the exquisite
air from Sonnambula-.'Come per me serene,
vino h she rendered in styl lie which captiya.
ted her audience, and made the hall re-ecbo
with their plaudts. Madame Sontag possess.
es voice OF the greatest richness, bower and
hexibilty. Her high notes resoundeG tbronsh
the hall with the clearness ola trumpet and
ner cadences were rich, distinct and mellihuous.
besides this aria, she sang Rhodes air. with
vafiations' IN which she responded to the en-
thusastic encore, the 30 luce di ouest an;ma,,
from LINDA de Chamoni," Swiss song. com.
posed for her by Carl Eckert, and the beautiful
English ballad of "Home, sweet home." In
the Swiss song the wonderful powers o. Ma
Dame Sontag were shown to the greatest adysn
tage..in the huntsman's CHEEKY call and The
echo from the mountains. In this she surpas
seq even the echo Song Of Jenny Lind. In
"Home, sweet home" she was rapturousiv
aappiauded, and returned to the stage 10 ac.
knowledge the fattering honors done her.
a The Norfolk Argus contradicts in the
most emphatic terms the report that the vel
low fever or any disease approximating il now
prevails in Norfolk, or has prevailed there re.
Gently. II says Norfolk never sras more heal.
thy than At this time.
FATAL AcclDEsr.-Mr. Jsmes Lesley. .
blacksmith, was thrown from his horse. IL
Jefferson county, last Tuesday week, and 80
severely injured that he died shortly after. He
leaves wife and several children. The Sn;r.
Of Jefferson says he was Intoxicated a The
time the accident occurred. : w.