Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-03-20
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
JAPAN.

States Naval Expedition now on the eve OF It's de-
parture for those seas
FROM THE BOSTON SOUR COUNTRY"
Some account of Capt Mercator Cooper's risit to
Japan IN he ,chale ship Manhattan, Of Sag
Har6or.-By G. f. WINsLow, MD.
1t was about the lst Of April Capt Cooper pro-
ceeding towards the whaling regions of the Northern
ocean, that he passed. in the neghborhood of st Peters
small island lying few degrees southeast of Niphon
tits comparatively barren and supposed to be un
inhabited but, being it, Capt c. thought he would
explore the shore for turtle afford his ships company
some refreshment While tracing the shore along he dis
covered pinnace of curious construction which resem
bed somewhat those he had in the China turn
ing his walk inland he entered valley where he
pectedly saw distance from him several persons
in uncouth dresses who appeared alarmed at his nru
son and Immediately fed to secluded part of the
valley He continued his walk, and to hut
where collected eleven men, whom he afterwards
found be japanese AS he approached them they
forward and Frustrated themselves to the earth before
him. and remained their faces for time. They
much alarmed, and expected to be destroyed but
Capt Co. with great Kindness recoHcled them to his pre-
sence and learned by signs that they had been shpwreck
ed ST. Peters many months before He took them to
the shore, pointed to his vessel and informed them that
he would take them Jeddo they would entrust them
selves to his They consented with great joy and
with him Immediately for his ship
Capt Cooper determined to proceed at once to Jeddo
the capital of the japanese empire Notwithstanding its
we-known regulations prohibiting American and other
foreign vessels its waters The captain had two
great and audabe objects in view The first was to
the shpwrecked strangers their homes the other
make strong and favorable impression on the
Government in respect to the civilization Of the United
States and its friendly disposition to the Emperor and
people of Japan How he succeeded in the latter object
the sequel will show; and viii make but few remarks
81 her on or of &
luton its ultimate consequences touching the inter-
of the Japanese with other nations The step de-
cded on however has led to some curious and interest
ing information relative to this country, whose nsu
ons and the habits Of whose people but little known
to the civilized world.
Capt c. left ST. Peters and after sailing day two
in the direction of Niphon, he discovered huge and
shapeless object the ocean, which proved TO be ia
panese ship junk, these vessels called wreck
ed and in sinking condition. She from port
the north of Nphon with cargo of picked sal
mon bound for Jeddo. She had been shattered and dis
maned weeks previous and drifting about the
the mercy of the winds, and gale the
following day. the captain thinks she must have sunk
From this ship he took eleven more, all japanese, and
made sail again for the shores of Nippon. Among the
articles taken from the wreck by its officers
books and charts of the principal islands composing the
empire Of Japan This chart shall speak of in detail
hereafter and it perhaps of the most interesting
specimens of geographical and literature which has
ever wandered from the shores of Eastern Asia.
In making the land our navigator found himself con-
sideraby to the north of Jeddo but approaching
the coast, he landed in his boat accompanied by
two of his passengers Here he noticed many of the in
habitants employed in fishing various distances from
the land The natives he met shore mostly fish
ermen and all appeared to belong TO the lower
classes of society They seemed intelligent and happy
pleased with his visit and made objection to his
landing. From this place he dispatched of his pas
sengers to the Emperor who at Jeddo with the in
tegence Of his intention wish the hsrbor Of
the capital with his ship for the purpose of landing the
whom he had found under such distressed creunl
ST o n
able him proceed his voyage He then returned to
his ship and sailing along the coast for many leagues
compared his charts with the taken from the
wreck. The winds becoming unfavorable, however, he
was driven away from the land far that after they
changed ii took him week to position the
place where he first landed lie went shore again
dispatched another the capital with the
information that he had previously sent and the Of
his detention.
He sailed again for Jeddo, and, the winds proving
auspcious in due time he entered the mouth II the bay
deep within which the city is situated As he sailed along
the passage barge met him coming from the city in
command of person who, from his rich dress appeared
be officer of rank and consequence This parsonage
informed him that his messenger had arrived at Court
and that the Emperor had granted him permission TO
up Jeddo with his ship He was however directed to
anchor under certain headsnd for the night and the
next morning towed his anchorage within fur
long Of the city.
The ship was Immediately visited by great number Of
people of all ranks from the Governor Of Jeddo and the
high officers attached 70 the person Of the Emperor
ed golden and gorgeous tuncs 10 the lowest menas Of
the Government clothed in rags All filed with
Unsuitable curiosity the strangers and inspect the
thousand novelties presented to their view.
Capt. Cooper very soon informed by native in
terpreter who had been taught Dutch and who could
speak few words Of English but who could talk still
inteligby by signs that neither he nor his crew
would be allowed TO 20 out Of the ship and that IL they
should attempt II they would be put to death This fact
was communicated by the very significant symbol of draw
ing naked sword across the throat The Captain dealt
kindly with ALL obtained their confidence, and assured
he rad nj
only desired 70 make known to the Emperor and the great
officers Of Japan the kind feelings Of himself and the peo
pie Of America towards them and their countrymen The
Japanese who had been taken from the desolae island
and from the wreck, when parting from their preseryer
manifested the varmest affection and gratitude for his
kindness They chung him and shed many tears This
scene the reports Of the hipwrecked men Of the many
ndnesses they had received and the uniformly prudent
and amabe department Of the American captain made
very favorable impression the Governor Of Jedo during
his stay The great dignitsry resed him with the mos.
distinguished civlity and kindness
Butneiiher the captain Of the Hqaiatr were
allowed 70 10 her side Officers we're kept on board
continually prevent any nfracon OF this regulation
and the more securely its maintenance and tc
prevent all communication with the shore the shin wa
surrounded and guarded by three circular barriers o
boats Each circle about hundred feet asunder
and the inner one about hundred feet from the shin
In tho fret circle the boats tied with hawser
compacty that their sides touched each other and tina
nothing could pass between break through them. Th
serns Of the boats were the ship and in these
erected long lances and other steel weapons 81 varou
and curious FORMS such as are heard
with iacquered sheaths others they left to gs
IN he far p-r Of informin