The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-06-29
From the ". Y. Commercial AdrertiSer.
Opening of the japanese Ports.

AAC pICotuG blulS Iu0 OpeiluS U
, channels of commerce with such q vas:
: empire is specially important, inasmucl
as the continued disturbances in China
threaten to thwart enterprise in that di-
J rection. The supply of teas thence is al
ready falling of, and further deficiency y
is expected, for the civil war is weaken
ing the resources as well as benumbing
the energeries Of the Chinese; so that the
opening of Japan to American commerce
IS exceedingly opportune. 1t is worthy
OF note, too, that this concession is made
to the United States only; which fact is
expressive of the wisdom with which
Commodore Perry has executed his deli
cate but important mission, which is very
apparent, also, from the copious narra-
tiyes of his second visit supplied by the
China papers.
The barrier 70 intercourse with Japan
is broken down, without the lifting of a
sword or the firing of a gun Nor is the
formal treaty the only advantage gained
by this expedition. The two nations
have already learned much of each 9TH
er's characteristics, and there is every
evidence that the japanese are disposed
to place confidence in their new acquaint-
ances, and to learn all they can from them.
La this respect they differ considerably
from the Chinese, whose first intercourse
with European nations was marked by
contempt for European inventions and
productions. The accounts furnished
from the expedition show that the Jap
anese rank higher in intellect and enter
prise than the Chinese. We find them
appreciating the railway, and marvelling
at the telegraph, and even making dill
gent inquiry respecting Ericsson's calorlc
engine, of which they had heard. The
list of presents and the mode of their re-
cepton is worth quoting;
Four days after the interview the pres
ents were interchanged, time having been
required to erect places for their recep-
ton. Those for the Emperor consisted
of, among other things; railway with
steam engine; an electric telegraph; a
life boat; printing press; fine lorg-
nette; a set of Audubon's American Or
anthology, spendidly bound; plates of A
merican Indians; maps of different States
of America; agricultural implements with
all the modern Improvements; a piece of.
cloth; bale Of cotton; stove; rifles, ,pis-
tolls, and swords; champagne, cordials,
and American whiskey. And for the
Empress, (presuming there is one,) a tel
escope; a lorgnette in gilded case a
lady's toilet box, gildedi scarlet velvet
dress; changeable silk dress, howered;
splendid robe; Aulubon's illustrated
works, handsome set of china; a man
tlepiece clock; parlor stove; box OF
fine wines; box of perfumecy; a box of
fancy soaps. Among the other presents,
perhaps the one most valued was a copy
of Webster's Complete Dictionary to the
imperial interpreter. To the high officers
were given books, rifles, pistols, swords,
wines, cloths, maps, stoves, clocks, and
cordials, the last of which they fully ap-
preciated; and, as regards clocks, when
it was proposed to bring an engineer from
ship board to set them agoing, the Jap
anese said there was no occasion for that,
for they had clock makers in Yeddo who
understood them perfectly.
Whatever may be thought of some Of
the other presents, the railway and tele
graph, at which the world at the time
was disposed to laugh, were happy hits.
The rail is oily about three hundred yards
in all; but, being formed in a circle, the
carriage can be driven at the rate of for
tv miles or more. Just at first the jap
anese were chary of venturing into the
car, but after single trial there was
much good humored competition for pla
ces The telegraph much more astonish-
ed them; but they will speedily under
stand it, and may possibly by this time
be laying down wires for themselves.
The chaplain of the expedition, the
Rev. Mr.. Bittingcr, made several excur-
sions among the villages and corn-felds,
the latter of which he found in high cul-
tiVation The houses were generally
thatched, the better ones tiled, and lad
enclosed yards and gardens. The mar
rator adds:
The same gentleman, finding the peo-
pie neither unfriendly nor indisposed to
receive him, and having obtained leave to
90 on shore, determined to visit two large
cities some miles off, called kanagawa
and Kasacca, and with that view crossed
an arm of the bay, which shortened the
distance by several miles. lie then pro-
ceeded through Kanawaga, supposed to
contain from one to two hundred thous-
and inhabitants, and, from the Immense
crowds that poured olt everywhere to
see the stranger, there can be no doubt
of the population being very great. The
crowds, however, caused no inconvenience
or impediment, for, on wave of the
hand from the japanese officials who ac-
companied Mr.. BittiDger, the people
cleared passage and afterwards,
a messenger having been sent for
ward for the purpose, the people
packed themselves at the sides OF TIC
houses, and left the centre Of the
streets clear for the stranger, He enter
ed some of the honses, which he found