The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-26

those Japanese officers with whom you will be
brought in contact, that the government oil tie
United States does not possess any power over
the religion of its own citizens, and that there
il, therefore, no cause 10 apprehend that Il will
interfere with the religion OF other countries.
The President, although fully aware Of the
great reluctace hitherto shown by he Japanese
government to enter into treaty stipulatons
with any foreign nation-n feeling which il is
sincerely wished that you may be able to over.
come-bas thought il proper, in anticipation
Of this latter favorable contingency, TO invest
you with full power TO negotiate and sign a
treaty of aRity and commerce between the
United States and the Empire of japan.
transmit, herewith, the act OF the President,
clothing you with that power as also copies
of the treaty between the United States and
China with Siam and the Muscat, which may
TO certain extent be of use to you as prece.
dents. tits important that you should secure
to our vessels the right to enter one or more OF
the ports ofJapan, aud there to dispose of their
cargoes either by sale or by barter, without be-
ing subjected TO extravagant port charges; and
even more important is it that the government
of Japan should bind itself to project Amerl-
can sailors and property which may be on
their shores. The second article of our treaty
| with Muscat and the fifth article OF the treaty
| with Siam, embrace these objects.
Every treaty has to be subjected to the Sc
nate, for ratification, as you ale aware. La
consideration of the great distance between
the two countries, and unforeseen difficulties
il would be prudent, should you succeed in
| effecting the object proposed, 10 fix the period
| for the exchange of the Publications at three
years. am, Sir, respectfully, your obedlenl
servant, DANIEL WEBSTER.
The accompanying note from the Minister Of
| the Netherlands here, will also be found inter
esting.
TRANSLATION.
NoTE VERBALE.-It is a matter of public
notoriety that foreign vessels are excluded
| from japan, by the government of that empire.
| 1t was, nevertheless, determined in 1872, that,
| if such vessels should BE cast upon the shores
| of Japan, by storms, or come there IN want o.
provisions, with a view of asking for such
| commodities, water, or wood for fuel, those
articles should he granted to them on request
| For fear, however, lest this determination
prompted as it has been by feelings of humani
ty, should give rise 10 any false Interpretation
| the government of japan has solicited that Of
the Netherlands to inform the other powers thai
the above mentioned resolution does not in
fringe upon. Or otherwise imply any modii
| cation whatever OF the system OF separation
and exclusion, which was adopted more than
| two centuries ago, by the Japanese govern.
ment, and since the establishment of which, the
prohibition against allowing any foreign Ves'
sci to explore the japanese coasts, has been
constantly in force.
| The Dutch government has made no diff.
Guilty of complying with this request, especial.
ly as the government of Japan has no Other
means OF making a communication of this
nature; and in pursuance of instructions from
the cabinet of the Hague, the Legation of the
Netherlands has the honor to communicate the
above mentioned facts TO the Hon. Secretary
of State Of the United States, for the informa'
| ton of his government.
| April 80, 1851.