The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-12
The Japan Expedition.

expedition to Japan. Three first class steamers,
three sleeps, and one brig Of war, with store
ship are to constitute the warlke squadron of Com
odore Perry, in this singular curious, if not Illegal
enterprise. The fact that such an expedition was
projected, was first announced in the HERALD, some
time ago. The proyocations and objects OF this
wariike movement have since been semi-ofhcially
cor munieated to the world.
sapan is populous, Independent, oriental, semi
barbarous nation, made up of an immense cluster OF
volcanic islands fauking she coast of China The
entire population of the empire is estimated a. tom
sorty to fifty millions Jeddo the capital 10 the
island Of Nippon, is said to be Of the most mag
nifecnt and populous cities on the globe. The pro-
ducts Of the islands varied and extensive, and
the people skilled in variety of useful mann
features. The empire offers an inviting market to
the commerce Of Europe and the United States; but
it remains to this day sealed book to all outside
barbarians" except the Dutch. who, by treaty stpu-
latons enjoy certain exclusive, but limited privileges
Of trade. The Chinese, q branch OF the same race
as the Japanese, not being classified among the
" outsiders have more enlarged privilege ct
traffic but, substantially, the empire is locked up
against tho ships Of all civilized nations The flags
Of England and the United States especially I'M
der the most rigorous exclusion and shipwrecked
English or American sailors among the Japanese
islands, are subjected to tortures compared with
which the sufierings of Captain Riley, the coast
Of Africa, but the details Of holiday excursion
among the natives Within the last two years, the
sailors Of several American vessels have suf
fercd from the treachery and barbarty of the Japa
nese. But while some died from their cruel treat
mcnt, Others escaped to tell the story. Subsequently,
if we not mistaken, American vessel Of war,
the sioop Preble, entered the sacred waters Of
Jeddc anchored off the city, and demanded the sur
render Of certain American sailors, still supposed to
be in the custody of the local authorities. After
considerable chafering, and q threat Of lombard
ment. one or two men, believe, were recovered;
but such was the jealousy of the authorities, that
neither the officers nor any crew were permitted
TO land; and it was only by threats Of opening on
the town. that water and provisions were supplied to
the vessel by the natives themselves
Those unsatisfed outrages upon American scamen
are set down the cdsus bcUt for this expedition.
The object of the squadron is openly declared to be
war--the invasion Of Jeddo, aoens rolcns, and the
exploration Of the islands, with eye to their
sercial advantages. The enterprise may, therefore,
lie fairly pronounced sort Of experimental ftibus
hr exploring expedition, on scale equivalent to
actual declaration Of war. The success of the
Il. glish invasion Of China upon the opium question,
may have suggested the practieability Of this ia
psI experiment. The most lawloss, and even the
raots atrocious, outrages upon inofensiyc nations
haya very often resulted to the positive benefit of
In Injured people themselves, and the world at largo.
TEC- alistory Of mankind is full Of such examples.
III G X rs of the Romans the Crusades of the dark
sgcs Sae numerous fltJstoiag expeditions of Great
Britain, of Span and OF France, to say nothing Of
AZ "sseS-tha nost magnificent
stroke of.round policy Of modern times aithnr-,
exactly according TO the cr Scfra, or the diploma
tic code il III respects-ono and all, may be justified
nv sei prs ctica results The written law has been,
i. AID nus be- subservent TO policy, which is the
suprrne Law of nations.
Upon this broad fundamental doctrine, the United
ties naval expedition sets out for the invasion OF
lar. an 1T is designed toeAect landing at Jeddo,
,Ilc eastal OF Tie empire, at all hazards" Ihns
. ads our report from Washington. And Commo-
don e Perry is to "leaye no efforts untried to open
,o, utsraia intercourse with that sealed peo-
cle The objects Of the expedition go beyond the
oint si redress for outrages upon American seamen
The ssapese are te DO compelled to trade with the
g opts Sc .harbarians" of the United States, and
heir 9, wntry is to tc explored by force Of arms.
This i a,elrious, singular, and remarkable pro-
let for N pacific administration Of Mr.. Fillmore.
!, sends il direct contrast with the doctrine Of
,on;utarve, Wian. face 10 face. II is intervention
ia NO., :. l.ablc. The only shade Of difference
,ot,roc, i n. the lateiczay Of Lopez upon Cuba.
: ,bot ,bo a. SIS public and the other pr-
AZ .eo;- IT, object Of both was the same--to
~, !, hon;, ,;Ged people the. benefits of more
r,;,no+o eoo;o, : ,satica, and commercial relations
;u ~ ;;1;,aa world. And we expect good re-
,. e. .h; 80 Neiition. IL is doubtless strong
-. - 80, = rn the barriers which have 50
49,. COLD - ,ho T. 9anese fran the rest Of man
.s H., !. nth tine that their celestial ne
49,; - l; 81 contempt Of soutsdo bar
,;, !, ro.o xoeorr,odb vthe wholesome arguments
= ev.-.,,o ,,o,,,dors nc nations Of the world
"a . e,;,,, ona ro;,ber the Chinese nor the Ja-
oaDcse longer be perm 80 - isi"S0 - 'i"i'
With their outside ncighbors ny n'uns eV,'e ~
heir MILL or take the const |u.n.es ~ ud"S
With an empire Of fifty millions y ~ p'o
le il q matter that admits Of no uii'as ~ so0u
fleets Of he opium war in ChinaJ 49, ~
expectations Of this exploring and 7Sp..'"on'%n -
,editicn Of Mr.. Fillmore and his 'ao'''e'' iAVy
ave- L0ad tide, certain provocato. - '0u,o'''
;ood. And they have concluded TO nan. 0io'n
;ork Of il by entering Japan, by OK. "oi"s 'ne
stands and by opening them TO the benz "Cs y, '"'
btton trade ard Christianity--to al Of 'nien w
Jay. Amen -
There appears TO us, however, TO be Oh Si'''lO
lifculty in tho way. This expedition Is I aA''-
nouEt to a declaration OF war. IL involves the ~
,cssity Of war. j. goes TO make war Congress, -
sc understand IT, s the making power; and v
IRE not aware that Congress has even been informed
Jf the intentions of the administration in this bust
,css. And when we Tecollect the outcry raised by
Mr. Webster, Mr.. Corwin, and The universal whig
party, against the uuconstitutionalty of the Next
AN war, as opened M. Polk this japanese squad
on does certainly look very curious. But it is
till saoro remarkable thai the cabinet should 20 to
he antrodes for q little war capital, when i might
1o bad OF a moro substantial quality, with John
LII ln,rnss nnnuLs Ia Nicarrnua md