, 1853-01-22

ges, Al the eonelnsion Of ten years alter
The acquisition Of this territory by the Uni
ted States, we may without extravasa sance
predict completed railroad from the Pa
cife toathe Mississippi. In such an event
we become the tticdiun Of comniefcial COM
mtnieatiOn between Asia and the older
States Of our confederation. Through us
also Europe viii receive and reciprocate
much Of her commercial supply. The pro-
posed shi p canal across the waste Of The
American continent will be conducive, tho
in less degree, 70 The same result, Hence
it is difficult 10 exsggerale the interest of our
State in all that tends 10 develop and plo
mote civilized intercourse with The populous
and wealthy regions Of the East But the
gain accruing from the new trade would be
| neither partial nor exclusive it would
benefit alike the manufacturer of Lowell and
Pittsburgh, and the merchant of San Fran
cisco and New York.
The resources Of Japan and its CONNER
cial capacity may here be briefly considered.
| lis population is variously estimated at from
25 ,000, 900 to $4,000, ,000., The produc-
\ lions Of its soil are diversified as is its eli
mate, including such as are peculiar 10 the
temperate zone and some Of the important
growths of warmer attitudes. Agriculture
il prescribed Us the chief occupation of the
people. Mineral wealth abounds, although
from the restraints Of law il is scarcely de-
veloped. II is known that gold, silver and
copper may be procured in large quantities.
Before the suspension Of their intercourse
the Portuguese in one year brought away the
value OF three and quarter millions oil dol
lars Of silver. The explorations Of copper,
now limited 10 nine hundred tons yearly,
amounted century and.a-half ago 10 four
thousand Eve hndred tons for the same
period Of time, Raw silk and camphor,
and among manufactured articles, porcelain,
ljapan-ware, and fabrications Of steel, inclu
ding sabre~blades equal to those of Damas-
Gus, would, with commercial relations es-
tablished on liberal footing, constitute
prominent articles OF export. For our cot
ton and woolen fabrics, our manufactures in
iron and tin, for s5gar, glass andlead con
siderable market, capable of rapid expan-
sion, woald doubtless be opened '.t
The meagre information which we pos
sess warrants the conclusion that the inhab
itants Of Japan are less obstinaiely attached
by custom, and are more impressible than
the kindred people Of the continent. In
the future, therefore, The suggestions spring
ing from enlarged intercourse with other
nations, the Promptines Of an advanced
civilization, may occasion a demand for
many Of the utensils Of the house, the i'm
plements ofythe field, and tIe articles Of
1. Il Il. 40
| the Christian world 10 stimulate the Gu
riosiiy and excite the desire of this Ermelic
! peolle, the expedition will be supplied with
apparatus intended 10 display some of the
most surprising manifestations Of modern
discovery, The steam engine, the electric
telegraph, and the dsguereoiyPe will be ex-
hibited in. operation. An interesting mis-.
cellany Of presents for the court, the fabii-
4 cations Of American skill and ingenuity,
4 will be carried oul. Every effort of peace
ful character will be employed TO effect the
desired result of friendly intercourse,
4 Asia, the cradle Of the human race, with
the advantages attendant upon prior popu.
lation, has been immeasurably outaripped
in all that contributes 10 civilized power by
the quarters of The world long subsequently,
occupied by man. There no great move
ment Of the human mind has prompted adj
vance and elevation. Amid the breaking
up of the waters, the slsgnancy of this vpS
Bethesda has remained unroubled. Neither
7 time nor the efforts Of religious propagand-
ism have been able 10 push it from the
siand-hill saitteness Of centuries The i'm
nenve mass Of dnnavigable land which com
poses that continent, offers the most obvi-
ous explanation OF this historical fact. The
J time has arrived when il must assume its
place in The march OF The world when
what las failed to be effected by the real Of
) the church and every advantage Of antiquity,
; will spring and flourish under the fostering
supremacy of commerce.
A prominent feature Of lhe expedition Is
The intended exploration Of The China seas.
No correct chart Of those waters exist. It
is indeed surprising that for so long period
, the interests Of navigation have been sub
jecied 10 the uncertainty and peril conse-
I quent upon meagre knowledge Of The oppo-
site coasts Of Asia and America. II should
be no small source Of patriotic pride that il
has remained for our country to literally
"survey he world from Ohinh.t6 Peru"
In conclusion, let Us inquire how far we
are justified in interfering to establish the
, intercourse with Japan which we desire
\ IS obviously the duty as is is the avowed
intention Of the government 10 employ pr
fnarily peaceful and persuasive means. -
Should these fail, we hold uIhIfsD COERCION
TO be necessary and proper. In saying
this we would distinctly disclsim any con,
neclion OF sympathy with tile aggressive
school. We also repudiate the specious and
sophistcsl argument " that class repre-
, sented by the London Times. e It is a
! fair question: remarks that journal, how
I far any tribe or race Of human beings pos