The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-21
I II E r. EP u BLIC.
From tho London Rraminer, 1prii IL.
The american Expedition 10 Japan.

From the London Examiner, 1priI II.
The cAmcrican Expedition 10 Japan.
The great Atlantic Republic is about to come into
collision with the empire OF Japan, and is sen,iing
an expedition TO claim redress for fragrant viola
tions Of the law of nations, as well as with the hope
to elect ultimately the grand object of obiging the
Japanese to renew that intercourse ith the Of
mankind on which they have virtually laid an en-
barge Tor two centuries. BY the laws of Japan, no
native OF the country can quit it, foreigner en-
ter IT. under pain OF death, at best Of per pe.ual
imprisonment. This law enacted in consc-
quence OF the ntrigues of the Portuguese and
Spanish priesthood, who, according to the view
taken by the Japanese OF their conduct, were, un-
der the mask OF religious conversion, sapping the
foundations OF government. Before the edcts of
secluson and isolation took effect the Japanese as
do now the Chinese, had carried on trade with the
slands Of the Indian Archipelago; and even far
west as Maacca and Bantam their merchants were
found IN the beginning OF the sixteenth century,
ny the Portuguese, on their first arrival in those
seas, and were there distinguished above all other
Asiatic traders for their integrity Even as late
the commencement Of the subsequent century, we
lind them employed, as what we should now call
Scpoys, by The European insular governments, be-
ing chosen such from among many nations for
superior coura &c and fidelity
The law OF exclusion has continued to be carried
into effect by the Japanese government to the
length OF inhumanity; and, indeed, to be effectua
at ell. it could hardly be otherwise. Foreign ships
In distress approaching the shores OF Japan, instead
OF being assisted, arc repelled by force and INSULT
shipwrecked mariners arc imprisoned, exhibited in
cages, or put to death; and cargoes confscatcd
There certainly can, in this case be no question Of
palpable violation of the law of nature and ma
tions; for, independent of the crimes perpetrated,
and which amount TO virtual piracy, the Japanese
have no more right TO preclude to their coasts
than to bar similar extent Of the ocean, both
being equally the common inheritance of mankind
The subjects OF the American Republic have OF late
been the chief victims of this barbarons and in
toerable law; the fishing grounds of their whalers
being close to the Japan islands, which afford 4,
naturally, their most convenient ports Of refuge.
and several hundreds of them passing yearly
through the strait which divides the great Island
OF Nippon from the more northern large one Of
Jesso
The Americana, now planted on the shores of the
Pacific, send force to demand rcparation for iniu
ries done TO themselves by such hagrant violation
OF the laws Of nature and society, to compel the
Japanese TO renew their intercourse with the rest OF
mankind, and TO forbear from the practice of n fe-
rocious inhosptality. For the common good Of the
world and for the sake Of civilization and justice,
we wish them every success, although we have
own doubts whether the means they propose to APP
ply be adequate to the end they contemplate to
attain.
said to be 100000 square miles, which makes it
larger than France and England put together. The
population is reckoned by the American writer's,
and probably without undue exaggeration, at thr-
ty millions; less civilized doubt. than the Chi
nese, but good deal more hardy and warlike
Japan does not contain, as China does, great navi
gabo rivers by which an invader can penetrate
into the interior; does part Of the Japanese
empire depend for food upon another as the north
ern provinces Of China do those of the southern
30 that the japanese cannot be starved by an in
vader into a capitulation, as we starved the Chi
nese by carrying operations to the head Of the
great artery that feeds the Chinese capital Japan
moreover, does not contain, like China, two dis
tinct races Of unamalgamated men-conquerers
and comprehensive last ready to rise III revolt
against the first, and far outnunbcring them. The
Japanese, who rule nnd are ruled, are, on the con
trary, one and the same people.
The Japanese arc asyaiable alone by their coasts
and that only where great town Is 50 near the
shore as to be open tothe broadsides Of the Ane
rlcan squadron. The redress squadron is 20 con.
sist OF three powerful sfeam- gaica. one saing
frigatc, one corvot, ~ nd a storcship. Including
sailors and marines, we fancy the whole force
not well exceed 1900 men; and cannot agree
with an American journalist in thinking that Euch
force Will be sufficient to coercc vain, ignorant
semi -barbarous, and sanguinary nation Of thirty
millions OF people, into the surrender of an organic
law oil Two hundred years standing. The only
chance OF succcss as it appears 10 U.s. is likely 10
be iound IN bombardment of Jeddo, the capital
OF the secular emperor, which lies at the head of
deep and accessible bay the eastern side Of tho
great island. We notice that light field pieces arc
spoken OF IN tho American newspapers; but such
an iDcunbrancc. which implies landing, ought not
to be thought OF The Americans must not quit
their wooden walls. Within these they arc pow
erful and unconqucrable; but, landing, they could
not penetrate live miles into the interior without
inevitable pcrdition. In own contest with
China, sinplcton in authority proposed TO march,
with our whole disposabla forcc from the river
Peho on Pekin, march Of one hundred and
twenty miles, with a view of catching the eInpe-
ror Fortunately, the rash project was not carried
out ior, II II had been, should certainly have
caught tartar, bat not the ono VIC went in
search Of.