Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-04-09
THE JAPAN EXPEDITION.

The Government has very properly given to the
public, through the Washington Union, the follow
ing frank explanation of the causes which have de-
petition, and which have compelled the Executive
to reduce the force of the Expedition 50 materially as
the withdrawal from it Of the only ship-of-theline
which had formed part of it.
THE UNION OF YESTERDAY
The JAPAN ExpEDTIoN.-A rumor has been recently
circulated by portion Of the public press to the effect that
this Interesting expedition either has BEEN is about
be- countermanded by the present Secretary of the Navy
We learn from the best authority that all such
entirely unfounded in fact On the contrary the Adj
mnstraton is making every effort give all proper aid
in carrying out the important objects of the expedition
and in fulfilling the public expectation in regard to it.
1t appears to have been the intention Of the late Adj
mnstraton to place under the command of Commodore
M. G. PERRY the commanderin-chief Of the United
States naval force in the East India and China seas and
with view to his contemplated visit to Japan, the fol-
lowing vessels, viz: line, the Vermont;
three steam figates, the Susquehanna the Mississippi
and the Powhatan; rstcass steamer, the Allegheny
and four sloops war; the Macedonian the Saratoga,
the Plymouth and the Vandaia to be accompanied by
two store ships, the Supply and the Southampton.
This force, with the exception of the Vermont, the
Macedonian, and the Allegheny, is assembling at
Macao The ast-named vessel is now in the hands of
mechanics and it is uncertain when her preparation will
be completed The Vermont is ready to receive her
but such the condition of the recruiting service that
is wholly impossible to say when, if at ALL of 500
men for her be collected Besides this the number
of men, of all classes employed in ournaya service having
been limited by law 1900 and Congress having failed
at its last session to grant to the Navy Department the
authority which it asked to enlarge that number and
having been appropriated for that purpose the
withdrawal of the Vermont from Commodore Perry's
squadron has become unavoidable because in addition
the force already in commission she be
ned without exceeding the number Of prescribed
by law 1t is probable ALSO that the necessary delay in
preparing the Allegheny for may render her services
unavailable for the expedition This, however will not
interfere with the contemplated visit of Commodore Perry
to JAPAN with force amply sufficient and well provided
for the successful accomplishment of the objects of his
mission.
1t will, we are sure, occasion very general regret
that this important and imposing Expedition, the
announcement of which created so much interest
both at home and abroad, should have to be shorn
of so material element of its power as its only
ine-of battle ship. But the Government is not to
blame there was alternative the blame is laid,
very deseryedly no doubt at the door of Congress,
in not authorizing seamen enough for the demands
of tile public service. But are there not other
causes in operation which cripple the efficiency Of
the navy? Are there not sins of commission as
well as omission which are chargeable to Congress
Is it certain that the men could have been got il
Congress had authorized them Do not seamen-
good ones at least-refuse to ship in the naval
vice? Other public vessels have been detained in
port for want of men as well as those of the Japan
Expedition. Capt RINGGoLD's squadron, appoint
ed near six months ago for the survey of the Ma
laysia Polynesian groups, has not yet sailed, we
believe for the want of seamcn to man his vessels
and of frgates, Of the home squadron, after
lying in port for several months waiting and trying
in vain to ship her complement of men, had at last,
not many days ago, to put to sea with half crew.
Does this repugnance to entering public ships, so
detrimental to the publcsevce arise from inadequate
wages or impaired discipline, or both combined? 1t
is very important inquiry, and deserves early
and serious examination