Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1854-05-16
The Japan Squadron.

The National lntelligencer publishes the
following extracts from letter Of an officer
on board Commodore Perry's flagship 10
his friends in Washington. dated Napa Kc.
any. Great Loo-Choo, February 8, 1854.
We left Hong Kong on the 14,h ult., in
company with the Powhaltan, Mississippi,
Southampton, and Lexington; tho Macedo-
nian, Vandalia, and Supply having. preced'
ed US. We we're shorty after joined BY the
Southampton and Lexington; they having
lowed most ollhe way. These three store
ships brought each about Iour hundred tons
of coal, with supplies and provisions and
stores, so that we now have six months sup
plies with US. which will enable US 10 re.
main long enough on the coas. Of Japan to
give fair test TO The experiment we have
undertaken Of bringing The authorities of
that country into some SOFT Of intercourse
with us.
With the people oflhis Island we are get.
ting along swimmingy; every day brings
about some new concession from them which
six months ago would not have been thought
of.
To-day we visited the Regent at The Roy
al Palace in the city of Shut, about three
miles from Napa, accompanied by an escort
of Two companies of marines, three bands
and about forty officers, as by this sort Of
show The people of these countries are more
readily Influenced. We first visited the Re.
gen, Of the Palace; and from thence wen. 10
10 The City Hall. where grand entertain
ment was served 10 The whole parry. On
leaving, the Commodore invited The Regent
and authorities 10 an entertainment on board
the flag ship 10 come off on our return from
Japan. They have already dined with him
bul we intend on returning TO give them a
sort of dramatic show 10 be gouen up by the
crew.
Il You cannot. or rather il woull be difficult
for you, 10 imagine the beauties Of This ISL
and with respect to the charming scenery
and i,s marvellous perfection Of cultivation
It's ancient bridges. paved roads, canals, d.
lapida,ed works Of defence, &c. There are
FIVE palaces in the city; the one VIC visited
is one OF very great exlent, probably cover
, ing space Of three acres, with massive
walls quite equal 10 many o. the old castles
Of Europe.
!, The island contains population of on'
5 hundred and fifty or Two hundred Thousand
! souls, and we have as much control Of !
5 and the authorities ard people as il i. were
!. conquered country; and, what is singular
!, not an uniriendly acl or instance ol coercion
3 has occurred in bringing these things about
:. We have explored the whole interior of ,hi
: island and surveyed the unlire coast. Th
8 people wherever our parties go attend upoI
i Them and supply them with lodgings al,
e provisions. Al frs, they woull receive nj
r compensation, bu. the Commodore insisye,
e ,ha, nothing should be accepted unless
'f was paid ror, and there is now lule difficul
il " in ,hal way.
e You are aware ,hn, |, Is m eastern prac
lice 10 exchange presents on all occasion
II Of public visits. These must be- given an
!. received or there can be no interchange q
J. visits. Consequently the Commodore ser
IS his presents day or Two ago, and every off
.a.i ..cni,,.d tfl :.