The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-02-04
JAPAN.

Conjecture has for long time been busy
with regard to the extraordinary activity OBJ
servable in our navy yards, and rumor has as.
signed many different reasons. 1t seems how
ever, at last, to be pretty well understood TO
have originated in determination to send a
strong squadron To the East Indies, under the
command OF Commodore Perry. Three steam.
ers are said to be destined for this service, one
Of which, the Susquebanna, sailedin July, for
Japan, bearing letter from the Secretary of
State TO the Government of that kingdom
The supposed object of her visit, and of the
letter in question, ITO obtain a release of GER
tain American seamen, still remaining captives
in japan. 1t is farther supposed, that an at
tempt will be made to open trade with Japan,
and with Zanzibar. If this can be accom-
piished, il will be most important event in
American commercial history. Japan is a
large Island, much larger We believe than
Great Britain, and il is the most populous
country on the face Of the earth, China not ex-
cepted.
That it will be possible 10 open trade with
this strange people, without resorting TO the
musket aud bayonet, we do not believe. Their
policy-their habits-their feelings are all OPP
posed to it. Since they expelled the Portu-
guese, towards the close of the 18th century,
they have had no intercourse with any portion
of the world which we call civilized, save with
the Dutch alone. The terms on which they
trade even With them, ore indicative of the ex
treme jealousy with which they regard all Eu-
ropeans. They have factory in one port and
in one only. This factory is in an island, and
is guarded by the natives with the utmost care.
The Dutch cannot land, without first having
given notice, when aguard is detailed TO attend
them, and to see that they hold no intercourse
with the natives. Once year, the Dutch
Ambassador goes TO Yeddo. the capital of the
Kingdom where the Ziogoon resides, huge
city covering almost province, and contains
Ing several millions Of inhabitants. On the
passage, he and his suite are conveyed in close
Carriages, and are allowed to see nothing what
ever of the country. The same policy is OBJ
served during their stay in Yeddo, and the,
leave not one bit wiser than they were whei
they came. They will hold no communica
ton whatever, with the ENJOYS of any Euro
pean nation, save through the medium Of tn
Dutch.
How is such nation to be approached in
peaceable mannerl The very entrance Of
foreign ship into its waters, is considered
suecies APPROXIMATION. The Governor of eacl
mort is responsible for the entrance of sucl
ships, and though he has no means to proven
:. ,,a, whan n occprc he "a avnaoteJ q, ,,o
to make the tou kire, that is to rip himself up
and he never fails 10 do it. for he is condemne
by the law of the Kingdom, and takes thi
means 10 escape an ignominous death, as al
other condemned criminals do. A melanchol
Instance of this kind happened in 1910, v he
Captain Pellew, commanding British fligate
chased a Dutch ship into the port 1--WE forge
its namei where the Dutch factory is estah
lished. The British officer sent boat of, an
the commander meeting another filled viii
Japanese, seized them and carried them O
4 board. The Governor was horrifed at thi
conduct, for he saw that he was doome
man. He applied for advice to the Dutcl
agent, and told him that he was resolved TO o,
sn'board she frigaie with a Rag--seek an int +
view with the c0mmanier-aHd stab him to th
heart on The deck Of his own ship. He wa
dissuadsd from this desperate enterprise will
dieficnlty, and the English vessel having sc
sal, ne went ashore and ripped himself up.
$ This deplorable catastrophe, We fear, vii
have IFS mate whenever the American vessel
present themselves 10 japanese port. Ye