The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-29

Y I::,: :l.:ss ins:..ss!y ssr ..9!s.5 :se:.Asr
u the 6tats Of New York; 70 submit, according to
tAs Lsslsn agreement Il Oetshsr, 1850, the com
pletsd surveys and estimates Of the work. It will
DO remembered that the negotiations at that period
leading firms that II the found prac-
ticable ut cost that should promise fair revenue
it should be introduced with all their influence to
the English public; the company return pledging
themselves to allow under those circumstances par
tcpation upon equitable TERMS to the extent Of one
half so that the interests Of Great Britain and Ame-
RIGA might be identical ItsDow understood that af-
ter thorough exploration by himsefand his survey
ing corps, the report OF Colonel Childs will demon
strate that, both regards cost and difficulty, the
enterprise will not only be less serious than many Of
the ordinary undertakings carried out in the United
States but such as to cause surprise that it should
ever have been neglected Instead Of the elevation
of 4S7 feet, supposed to exist on the strip OF land
which separates Lake Nicaragua from the Pacific,
it that the highest rise is forty-eight feet,
while, with regard to the river San Juan it has
been found that the greater part is perfectly avail
able and that, in the portion where the river can
not be used, the excavation will be through land
entirely level and without rock. Under these cir
cumstances the company, it is said, are prepared
Immediately to proceed, either alone or in con-
currence with England, as may be decided upon.
1851, has yielded return which is proportions
ately without example, and inspired by this expe-
rience, and by the ardor which is now manifesting
itself on the subject throughout the entire Union,
the leaders Of the undertaking, while they express
an undiminished desire for mutual arrangement,
state themselves at the same time to be ndisposed
to any further delay prompt and final adjust
ment Of the question is, therefore, to be anticipated
In the eighteen months which have elapsed since
the commissioners originally visited England, the
Australian discoveries have doubled the urgency, as
well Us the temptations of the work, and the in
tentons of the United States to seek direct inter-
course with Japan, and to establish forthwith q
steam route to China, have also developed new mo-
tives of a momentous character. The impulses to.
wards an immediate settlement are, therefore, Of
the strongest kind; and there also be no doubt
that in case the company should require it, their
own government will be prepared to aid them to
the full extent of its constitutional powers.
The American Expedition to Japan.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE LONDON TINES.
SIR-In a former letter, which appeared in the
Times of March 20, showed how the influence of
Japan prevented an important market being opened
to British enterprise.
The Secretary Of the United States navy has since
given the world some statistics of the American
whaling trade, whose interests are considered as
being specially involved in the Japan question.
win you permit me to you With few par
very little is known, but which may eventually
prove of some Importance to Great Britain /!
Two junks annually leave the port of Napa, in the
island of Loo-Choo, for Foo Chow-Foo, in China.
They arrive in tho Min early in November, and
leave. on their return, in june They carry over
the " tribute" and money, Sc, wherewith to pur
chase silk stus for official dresses, medicines, and
other articles"
During my last visit to Foo.Chow-Foo, was
anxious to ascertain if any, and what, amount of
British goods figured among these "other articles,
but found greater difficulty than anticipated in
obtaining information about trade which is pre-
served as close monopoly.
The privilege of dealing with the Loo Chooans is
armed from the Mandarins of the provincial capital
of Foquiep, by eight ten brokers merchants,
who reap from it no small advantage. They trans
act all their business, obtain the goods that are
wanted, and resell them, Of course at greatly ad-
vanced prices, and pretend to be the only persons
in Foo-Chow.Foo who understand the Loo-Choo
dialect. Last year, lS50-5l, they retailed British
manufactured goods to the value of $780, 900, con-
sisting ofwooens-viz., long ellis, Spanish stripes,
camlets, and hastings; and cotton goods-viz.,
shirtings, white and gray, yarn, and some printed
and fancy goods. They took in exchange copper
and gold the latter, square fiat pieces OF various
standards, but all of low touch: Now, this copper
and gold comes from Jap and the question arises
where the goods go. My belief, founded on my in
quires and observations ut Loo Choo, is that the
greater part goes to the Japan Islands. if not to
Japan itself, and, if this should prove to be correct,
it shows that n demand for British goods already
exists in that quarter, and that, in spite of the rigid
exclusive policy Of tho government, it is supplied to
q limited extent in this crcuitous manner.
/ am, sir, your obedient servant,
Curzon street, Mays NAVAL OFFICER.