Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-03-25
Japan and the Jnpxue,c.

Japan and the Japanese,
The projected expedition to Japan 70,
commercial purPosesis prompted no doub
by the increasing intercourse now going
on between our Pacific coast and Eastern
ASA, and BY the certain prospect Of con
tinued enlargement Of that intercourse.
The position Of the Japanese islands give.
them Importance. even If nothing but their
position were considered. Yet when it i.
remembered that the Population Of those
Islands amounts to some thirty millions. or
according TO other estimates, to forty .6v,
millions, the importance ofopcning and q,
tablishing friendly relations with them, in
view OF the extension Of our trade in the
Pacific, is strikingly manifest.
The empire Of Japan consists of tbre,
main islands, ofwhich Nephon is the chief
with length of TOO miles and varying
breadth, and having for its capital the grea,
city OF Jeddo with a population Of more
than million and half. The palace Of
The Emperor, including. its gardens, courts
and aapPurtenances. is fvo leagues in cir.
cumierence and forms Of itself a considera.
Bile city. The productive resources ofth
country are very great; wealth abounIs
and certain magnihcence and oriental
splcndor. The internal trade of the EN-.
pireis carried on mostly in kind. OF for
eign commerce they have but lit,le-hold.
ing intercourse with no European nation
except the Dutch, who are allowed to send
thither two ships annually.
The Japanese are of Chinese origin, and
are mixture ofthe Mongolian and Main
races. The presence of so many of ou,
whalers in the seas ofJapan has made then
pretty well acquainted with America. ant
they are said to be well disposed, toware
this country. Their policy Of exclusive
ness. however, and its attendant jealouse
proved to be too strong for any such feel
ing. 1t 1t existed. when some years ago ,
party Of our seamen. shpwrecked on the
coast. were treated. as all strangers ar,
treated by them who are found in thei
country-with cruel barbarity.
The magnitude and force Of the expedi
tion which is about to sail are well calcua
ted to make a strong impression upon III,
japanese, who as soldiers are about on q
level with the Chinese-if anything. more
inefficient. The sight Of steamers will
probably be new 10 them. Commodore
Perry takes out three of the first class
those noble ships the Mississippi. The .Sus-
quehanna and the Saranac. A considcra-
Bile force of marines accompanies the ex.
pedtion-from which important results
may be expected. lfit should succeed in
opening an avenue for our commerce
through the ports of japan and giving to
US access to that market where a popula-
ton of more than thirty millions receive
supplies. new revolution in the CONNER
clal affairs Of the world would be begun
or perhaps we should say that the new
revolutions already begun by our occupan.
cy OF the Pacific coast would be carried
at once TO decisive epoch The rapidity
which has already distinguished the settle.
ments in California and Oregon would be
still further enhanced by the now impulse
that would thus be given to our commerce
IN the Pacific; and the process of opening
a route from San Francisco and The Co,
lumbia river to the Mississippi Valley by
an overland road would be astonishingly
accelerated. In the intervales Of Presi-
dent making the pressure of these grea,
interests would make itself felt even in
Congress.