The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-16
EAe Government Expedition 60 Japan.

Yhc Government lei petition 60 Japan.
Some few weeks ago, one Of our Washington cor
yspendents reported to US, by telegraph, that the
government had deter mined upon sending q stroEg
naval to Japan. This rep art subseq dent
h. has 90 far been streng thened by various other
ports upon the subject, como Of them Of a semi.
s6sial character, that disposed to treat the
yunored expedition as fxedfact.
The first inquiries suggesting themselves are
What is the oeje,t of this expedition, who COM
Aands It! and what is its strength We uRder-
stand that the expedition viii embrace three steam
ships-the Princeton, Susquehanna, and Saranac-
and several sleeps Of war, and that it viii be CON-
nsnded by Commodore Perry. The steam frigate
Susquehanna was detailed to Japan in the early
part Of last summer, with letter Of instructions
from the Secretary Of State, By direction Of the
PFssidens, defining her specific iu.y. which, IL ia
understood, was q de nand upon the Japanese for
rsparation Of certain outrages lately committed
xpon American seamen. 1t lie also apprehe1ded,
from the statements Of some OF our seamen, es
capped from imprisonment in Japan, that others
may ye. be detained in confinement there # go,
The primary object OF this expedition is to effect
tAeir release, by such exhibit OF naval strength
- will command the respect Of these island bar
1arians. The expedition has, also, several other
objects in view, such as a general commercial re.
sonnoissnce Of the waters Of the Indian Ocean
and the Chinese Seas, and especially the opening
Of sert Of commercial reciprocity with the
Islands of Japan.
commercial project OF this character, including,
however, all the independent oriental nations, has
hong been the hobby Of Mr.. Aaron H. Palmer,
lately merchant of this city He 50 far impressed
the Importance Of enlarging our commercial opera
Mons among those people upon the cabinet Of Cen
Taylor, as to induce him to recommend the appoint
nent Of special commercial agent to China. Japan,
and al the maritime Asistic nations, whose tra9e
night be worth looking after. The mission fell
through ; but we doubt not that this expedition
~ japan is . similar project, originating among
the merchants Of New York, With the vie Of open
iDg new markets for the cotton and tobacco traie
J: may also be intended By the adm nistration for
Presidential capital Any movement on the part
Of the government, calculated to give employment
and honor either to the army or the navy, is good
political thunder.
In any event, rs this expedition will aid very
Ittle, if anything, to the ordinary expenses Of the
1avy-as it may contribute to extend tia. respect
70 flag among the seni-barbarous nations Of the
East which is accorded to it by all the nations Of the
West-as il may do something towards the opening
ss an mportant trade with the Japanese and other
oriental people, and as 1t may enlarge OUT prac,cal
kno Wedge, and extend national infuense, among
nations and tribes of people hitherto but little kno
outside Of their own territ price, there can be
opposition to the project. II will &c cheap expert
Asn. II can do no harm, and may result IN great
practical utility.