The Nevada journal., 1852-05-29
THR JAPAN EXPEDITION.

THR JAPAN EXPEDITION.
The President recently transmitted
to the Senate Communication contain
ing official documents relative to the
Empire of Japan, under resolution Of
the 4th March. The annexed letter Of
instruc tions to Commodore Aulick ex-
plains the object Of the visit to Japan,
90 far as the President has given iustruc-
tions to the East India Squadron.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, 10th June, 1851.
CON-. JOHN H. AULicK :--Sir,-The
moment 10 near wnen the last link in
the chain of oceanic steam navigation
is to be formed. From China and the
East Indies, TO Egypt, thence through
the Mediterranean and the Atlantic
ocean, to England, thence again to our
happy shores, and other parts Of this
great continent; from our own ports to
the southernmost part of the lsthmus
that connects the two western conti-
nents, and from its Pacific coast, north
and southwards, as far as civilization
has spread, the steamers of other nations,
and Of our own, oarry intelligence, the
wealth Of the world, and thousands Of
travellers.
| II 10 the Presidents opinion that steps
should be taken st once to enable our
merchants to supply the last link in that
great chain, which unitcs all nations Of
the world, by the early establishment
lof line of steamers from California to
China. In order to facilitate this enter
prise, it 10 desirable that we should oh.
tain from the Emperor Of Japan permis-
sion to purchase from his subjects the
necessary supplies of coal, which our
steamers, in their out and inward voys-
ges may require. The we'll known jsa-
lousy with which the japanese Empire
has, for the last two centuries, rejected
all overtures from other nations TO open
its ports to their vessels, embarrassss
all new attempts 10 change the exclu-
sive policy of that country.
The interests of commerce, and even
those of humanity, demand, however,
that we should make another appeal to
the sovereign Of that country, in asking
him to sell to our steamers-not the
manufacture Of his artizans, or the re-.
suits of the toll of his HUSBAND dman-but
gift Of Providence, deposited by the
Creator of all things in the depth Of the
Japanese Islands, for the benefit Of the
human family.
BY the Presidents direction, now
transmit to you letter to the Emperor
Of Japan, with an open copy which you
are TO carry to Jeddo, his capital, in
your flag ship, accompanied by as many
Of the vessels of the squadron under your
command, as may conviently be employ
cd in this service. A Chinese transla-
lion of this letter will be furnished to
you by tho United States Legation at
Canton and sent to your anchorage at
Hong Kong or Macoo.
| At one Of the latter places you Will
probably meet with national vessel,
detached by the Commodore Of the
squadron in the Pacific, (as you will per-
ceive by tho enclosed copy Of corres-
pondenoe between this and the Navy
Department) to carry to you q number
Of ship-wrecked Japanese mariners, whs
were, some time ago, picked up at sea
by the bark Auckland. These men you
will take with you to Jeddo, and deliver
them over to the officers Of the Emperor,
giving them, through your interpreter,
the assurance that the American gov
ernment will never fail to treat with
kindness any of the natives Of Japan,
whom misfortune may bring to our
shores, and that il expects similar treat
ment Of such Of its own citizens who
may be driven on the coast of Japan.
The letter OF the President to the
Emperor Of Japan, you will deliver to
such Of his high officers Al he rhay sp-
point for the purpose Of receiving It.. To
them you will explain the main object
Of your visit
Mineral coal is 60 abundant in Japan
that the government OF that country
can have no reasonable objection to sup
ip0ng our steamers, at fair prices with
that great necessary Of commerce. One
of the eastern ports OF Niphon would be
tho most desirable place for this pur-