The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-06-28
u he Japan Expedition.

Is it abandoned AfGer all the clustering
and braggadocio, and popular expectation as
TO the magnificent results which wouli
from Commodore Perrys mission from the United
States, with feet Of war steamers, to the ia
panese islands, that expedition appears to have
been knocked the head, and for time, at
least, virtually abandoned. For some time longer,
therefore, the walls of Jeddo will remain ignorant
Of the force vi bombshels when projected from the
guns of an American vessel, and the heathens will
remain unenlightened by the virtues of our saving
religion, and the hapless American seamen, who
may be cast on their intos pitable coast, must still
longer submit to the barbarities Of the inhumsn
tiyes; Commodore Perry may return to his country
villa on the Hudson, and the ships of war destined
for Japan may be laid up in ordinary at our navy
yards This apparent abandonment of the expedi
tien creates much surprise here, aud more especially
IN Europe; and the question Is asked on ali sides,
what has cause'' the American government to aban-
don project from winch such beneficial results
looked for The will doubtless astonish all
the Gefpotic countries of the Old World and afford
to them one Of the most convincing proofs Of the
Ebei.llty Of Institutions aud the greatness Of
our commercial prosperity. The cause simply lies in
the fact that, in this immense republic, sufficient
number of hands cannot be enlisted to man the
ships The ply Of sailors in the United States navy
Is limited to twelve dollars month, which, in the
marine OF other countries, would be considered as
very good remuneration but here, employment in
any capacity is easily obtained on land sea. and
vel paio for, that the government offer il despsed
by able seainen, who can command from twenty
10 thirty dollars a month in the merchant service.
The gold discoveries in California, and the Immense
trace which sprung up, as if by magic, between the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts, have drawn away ali
our best seamen so that who is able to pull
q rope, mount the rigging, or take turn at the
wheel. can DC got TO embark in wa vessel at the
rate Of wage. authorized by Congress. Nor is this
state OF commercial prosperity likely to be
neseent. On the contrary, the trade between the
Atlantic and the Pacific ports Of this continent is
inert asng at surprising rate, and now new trade
is opened, and will doubtless spring up into equal
activity and greatness by the recent gold diecoTe-
res in Australia. The effects OF this prosperous
condition Of commerce, hitherto unparalleled, are
felt only here but also beginning to dcvelope
themselves in the Old World. We read Of vast
numbers OF merchant vessels having engaged In the
casry ing trade between London and Port Philip of
the formation IF regular line Of steamers 70 ply
between the ports ana, by the last arrival
from England, we learn that the magni lcent screw
steamship, the Great Britain, has also been placed
by her owners on the same route
But while commerce has attained such pros
perity to enable our merchants to offer much
higher rates Of wages TO their employees than our
government does, the question may we'll be asked,
why do not thosA .-Anxe-4 90 -.v-A~AdOr Ihe naval
department keep pace viii the progress Of the age
Why will they look with indifference at the ineyi-
table abandonment Of great national project for
want Of men to carry il out and not forward in
oonscnance with the spirit othe country, and increase
che pas Of the seaman from twelve dollars a month
20 sixteen or twenty Why will they witness the
daily dosertion from their navy yards and receiving
shipsof mfn whom they had engaged for service.
but who watch the FIRST favorable opportunity to es
capei There il no excuse for this inertnoss on the
part q our naval authorities They nigh, bring a
bill into Congress, aud have it passed Immediately
authorizing Tie increase u saaneu swagcs 10 sixteen
~ t@eAy dobars mouth Tia. Consccss CHAT votes
seay il i 20 gie pt property o the va!ao OF
held.e "a u.uoui W De 20 at aierei BY tho Sa2rent