The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-27
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.
NEw YoRK. April "a, 1882.
The Expedition 10 Japan.


TO be despatched under the auspices OF The government
OF the United States from coasts TO those OF Eastern
ASIA attracting The attention oil the political aud com
mercial circles both sides oil The Atlantic, The
French and English journals notice II ia terms oil APP
pIobation The Datch, the only civilized people who
for the last century two have enjoyed even partial
intercourse with that wealthy but mysterious and seclu
ded nation have manifested jealousy at this attempt
TO disturb their long cherished monopoly and our own
spirited and enlerprisng merchants and shp-ownes are
eagerly looking forward the time when they shall be
permitted develop the OF this new and exten
sive field OF traffic. and subject the mighest OF oceans
10 the dominion OF by the aid of The inexhaustbe
supply OF coal which the Japanese possess but never
use. ;
Although our information in regard 10 the internal al
fairs of Japan very limited, enough known to make
il apparent that its inhabitants are emneny INDUS
rous and productive race-an agncullural manuiaetur
ing, and trading people, who improve the advantages
afforded by large and fertile domain which.
in addition to ample provision OF the necessares
Of life, furnishes multiplicity OF articles OF uni
versa and mercantile value, upon the purchase
and exchange of which new and profitable branch
Of commerce might be predcated. Besides teas and
silks the latter OF very superior quality, Japan is rich
gold silver, "copper" tin, and other metals, camphor and
other drugs and perfumes diamonds pearls and variety
Of precious stones valuable woods and the finest var
nish Qhe juice of an indigenous tree) known to the
world Its coal fields alone, with their treasures more
precious than gold lying undisurbed and unapprecated
beneath the surface constitute object of attraction,
which,, for the benefit OF our steam communication with
Eastern ASIA no reasonable effort should be spared 10
attain. The treatment Of our seamen who have been
cast away upon the coasts OF this half civilized and
wholly nhospabe country is matter which requires
on our part an immediate and peremptory demand for
explanation and satisfaction and this demand, if
forced properly and efectualy by judicious commng
ling of the 'suauiter in mode" with the fory IN re-
might be made the opening wedge to that friendly inter-
course and understanding which desirable TO us,
and which would be advantageous 10 the interests OF
humanity and commerce in general.
That it is the purpose OF government TO effect this
object by of the expedition which it has set on
foot verify believe; but that il has in all respects
adopted the measures best calculated to carry its in
tentions, must, in accordance with the opinion of
those better acquainted fancy with the mysteries OF
oriental diplomacy than either the President his advisers
or his selected agent, be permitted TO doubt.
In conversation not long since with very distinguish
ed officer who has had great experience in the adjustment
OF relations with the eastern Asiacs-one TO whose
good and timely energy owe, to great extent
participation in the commercial advantages which
the English enjoy in the ports of the Chinese empire
he made the suggestion that the OF the Presidents
letter the Emperor of Japan the most important docu
ment connected with the present expedition which has
we ansped) altogether too mild and deferentia 10
make the impression most to be desired upon that
naughty and supercous potentate. To the sovereign
OF civilized and enlightened people, TO whom il would
be presented personally, transmitted in its original
form through his ministers OF State, il would be very
appropriate address-at courlly, dignfed, and
conciliaory but, observed informant by The time
it reaches the footsiool of the throne of Japan,
after having been diluted by Two tIanslatons, and
softened and modified by the trembling slaves
who dare not for their lives lay anything offensive
before their master, il will wear the guse OF very
humble petition from an INFERIOR suppcaiing favor
to which the imperial despot will turn deaf eaTif in
deed, he does not spurn it with marked insult
tempt The very commencement OF the epislle,
nouncing that the Presidents chosen envoy not
sionary Of religion admits the superiority OF the EN-
peror and deprecaes his dspeasure and the
that the officer is OF the Presidents especial
choice and selecton is but continuation of the same
submissive strain When the fawniDg and subseryient
Chinese TO render this and what follows into the
dialect in which they address their princes and the Jap
who approach the master Of their destiny
but with stricken humility, reduce it TO still more
lowy FORM the monarch Of the Eastern Isles will see
nothing but chief OF the outside barbarans his
feet, to whom he will vouchsafe but contumeious an
swer, VI he answers at all
Where the necessity OF entering into the personal
character and qualifications OF the envoy al alli II is
taken for granted that when the chief OF one independent,
State sends representative 10 the chief OF another the
funciionary is in all respects fitting and proper one
at all until he proves himself otherwise But we
shalt be told tnat the Christian religion rs especially
obnoxious to the government OF Japan; that its ex-
eciss has been prohibited, its professors exiermnaie
and all intercourse with Christian nations renowned and
forbidden in accordance with this spirit OF animosty IL
is true that two hundred years ago the govern
ment of Japan prescribed Christianity and exierminated
that portion OF its subjects who had embraced its tenets
II did 80, because the spirit OF Christianity was at var
ance with its pretensions TO divine origin and attr-
bues-for there is a spiritual well as temporal EN-
peror OF Japan, and the worship OF the true God was
found TO be Incompatible with rendition OF the homage
and honors claimed by the false For centuries
they have ensaved tortured, and sometimes murdered all
the Christians upon whom they could lay their hands, ex
cept the Dutch to whom they allowed limited and de
grading intercourse, upon condition of irampng upon the
cross But is that any reason when have cause to
demand reparaton for abuse and outrage pracsed upon
such Of citizens sbpwreck had cast upon their
Shores and the liberty Of others whom they still hold
in bondage, tha, we should approach them, ha, in
hand, disclaiming, in advance, what they have no
right TO suspect of-an intention OF interfering
with their religion, craving their friendship and
the privilege of trading with them BY no means
The they treat Christians with such barbariiy Is
because they that all Christians are missionaries
They consider the two terms synonymous, and by dsa
vowing the one appeation, we virtually discard the
other and Justify them, tacy at least in the commission
OF the atrocities OF which they guilty Now If il be
the object OF the President obtain from the Emperor OF
Japan not only hearing. but answer-a prompt, re.