Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-11-11
From the St. Louis Intelligencer.
Japan.


object of interest, she is now becoming one
of essential Importance. For three hun
dred years mercantile nations have been
looking upon the entree into her ports as a
magnificent prize, worthy of great sacri-
fees for its attainment. Now, it is declared
to be an absolute necessity.
In order to give the reader some idea of
the anxiety which has long prevailed among
other nations 10 establish a commerce with
the Japanese, and the difficulties which our
Government has to encounter in its efforts
to effect the same, we will give brief ac-
count of the various attempts, with their
results.
In the year l542 the Portuguese were al
lowed TO commence trade, which was kept
up with vast profit to themselves until their
final expulsion in 1857. They realized
cent. per cent. above all expenses upon
whatever they carried TO the country, and
nearly the same upon all that they took away
from it.
About the year 1900, the Dutch obtained
a sort of joint footing with the Portuguese in
the Japan trade. Great jealousy existed be-
tween the two classes of merchants, inso-
much that some of the former were only too
glad to discover to the Japenese authorities
the treacherous designs which the Portu-
gese were entertaining against their empire,
and to assist them in massacreing or expel-
ling host of hated rivals. From that day
to this, the Dutch, exclusively, have been
allowed to trade at single seaport, but I'M
der the most humiliating restrictions and
prohibitions, which no other nation would
accede to, even if allowed the privilege.
In 1913, the British East India Company
sent ship, and obtained from the Emperor
of Japan the privilege of trading with his
subjects. In 1916, however, the English
were strictly prohibited from ever after APP
preaching any town, save that of Firando.
So many other restraints and distractions
were also thrown around them, that the
trade was rendered profitess, apd was soon
after abandoned, at loss of 100000.
In 1878, another English ship was sent
to attempt a revival Of the trade. The
Captain was not allowed TO land a particle
OF his cargo, or TO stay in port moment
longer than he could get away.
In 1871, the 'Argonaut," another Eng
fish vessel, made similar attempt. She
was surrounded by lines of boats, with war
like demonstrations, and compelled to sail
away without party.
In 1903, the .'Frederick" was sent from
Calcutta with rich cargo of goods and pre-
sents. She was refused admittance into
the harbor, and enjoined 10 leave within
twenty-iour hours.
In 1892, 1903 and 1911, the Russians
made several similar attempts, but with like
failures. In the last case, the Captain and
seven of his officers and crew were taken
prisoners, and SO kept for two or three years
most of the time in cages like wild beasts.
The Russians have beeR similarly unsuc-
cessiul, in divers other attempts at different
periods.
Without pursuing exact details any fur
Their, we may mention that during the pre-
sent century at least twenty different at
tempts at opening some sort of intercourse
with the Japenese people have been made
by the English, French and Americans
All have been alike unsuccessful, though
some were managed with admirable tact and
skill. The most formal effort on our part
was that of 1916. Commodore Biddle, with
The columbus" and "Vincennes," appeared
1t the entrance OF the bay Of Jeddo on the
10Th July. The ships were Immediately
surrounded by about four hundred guard !