Washington telegraph., 1854-07-12
From the Cor. of the London 7in,es.l
The Americans i'm Japan.
q. S. STEAM FRIGATE SusoUEHANNA.
OF Tosohanae Bay Of Jeddo,


You know that we sailed from Hong Kong on
4bp 4th of January last. On the 2Ist we arrived
a. Napakiang. Loochoo on the 7th of February
we sailed for Japan, and on Sunday. the 9th, we
anchored within about 25 mics OF Jeddo. where
no foreign vessels he'd ever anchored before Al
.pr good deal of diplomacy, on the part of the
Japanese and frmness on the part OF the Amer
icaus we told them that we did not like the
lace appointed for the negotiations, and would
6go nearer to Jeddo They assented as gracefully
Is children 20 to bed before the time, and we pro-
cpeded to Yokohama. off which village within ten
miles of the Imperial city, we anchored. 1t was
we'll 10, the Imperial diploulatists that they lost
no time in agreeing 10 meet US here. for the boats
which had been surveying returned in the after
noon md reported that the ships could 20 very near
In Jeddo which they knew and dreaded We
had. however. passed oGr xord TO negotiate there
and we made new era in Eastern diplomacy by
keeping it. They Immediately constructed houses
and ample accommodations on the beach. and on
the Sth of March the Commodore landed in state
70 receive the answer to the Presidents letter.
On the 18th he landed again. and made the def
mite arrangement OF a treaty. Yes. Americans.
vour navy has made treaty with the exclusive.
mysterious japanese. and Yankee whalers can
now pursue their gigantic game in these well filed
seas without the fear of hostile shore upon their
lee and may put into Matsma and other ports 10
reft and refresh, in confidence The treaty was
concluded on the 23d. and the Princes were to
dine with the Commodore on board. on the 27th.
We sail to-day, being despatched by orders from
Washington, to be placed at the disposal of Mr..
Maclane. our new commissioner. | do not know
the particulars of the treaty. but it modelled
after that with China We are to have as much
coal as want at some port which we shall Sc
lect and all hands are TO be treated with hospi-
taity who may land upon their shores.
As for any advantages to be immediately de-
rived from commerce with these people. am
doubtful on that point; we saw no evidence OF any
wants or of any superfuities. bat who can antici-
7ate the wants which commerce can make the
superiuities which she can call into existence7-
But, If our first adventuTeTs come here under the
impression that the Japanese are ignorant because
they are inexperienced in commerce thew will
find themselves mistaken, for. not even the Chi
namen understand the art of making things ap-
pear TO the greatest advantage with more skill
than the japanese. The presents of fruits and
sweetmeats were so arranged in the boxes as to
appear Of thrice the real quantity and everything
is contrived as to be over-estimated by all hut
the closest observer. On the first Of March Capt.
Buchanan gave lzaimaE. the Governor of Uraga,
and nine OF his suite, dinner hoard this ship
the first foreign dinner, perhaps. ever given in Ja
pan. They enioyed themselves in perfect conf
dence, anG reIlshed our food and liquors with the
taste OF 9ormands. They had never tasted turkev
before. and asked permission to take portions of
it and other things shore to show their friends
which they did wrapping them up in paper. very
much like Chinese paper, the leaves of which
constitute trelr pocket hsndkerchiels.
Ihey lntultveiy accommodated themselves to
our customs, especially that of emptving their
glasses; and used the knives and forks with near
ly as much dexte-ity as perseverance. They re-
turned thanks for our toasts. and reciprocated
them with more than the tact Of an alderman: as
Tor example. Captain Buchanan gave-~Mav the
kind feelings which so hapriyssubsist between
our japanese friends and ourselves prevail through
out both countries" Governor Yzaiman prompt
ly replied with thanks for the sentiment and as
slTance OF It's reciprocity. and hoped that the AM
e!cans and japanese woul9 soon be enabled TO
visit each others countries CAPTAIN Adams pro-
posed Il he health of the Emperor and a long and
haPpy reign Governor Yzaiman Immediately
replied that he appreciated the compliment TO hi,
Emperor and. filing all the glasses hinseIf drank
the Health Of the President of the United States,
ant happy Administration" Lieut. Duer with
lew happy remarks proposed The health of
Governor 4zaiman." at which be bushed: hut.
win admirable presence cf mind. proposed the
health OF Commodore Perry and all the officers
Of the squadron
All this passed. of coure through the Interpret
ers- ana each toast was drank in our manner with
'~ O!'o4eI Tue HtZZ3S cared TO di vert them
very much ann they joined in them with great
gee. Lieut. Brown sang a song. which they an
E"ered with verse or two Of a Jaranese song. /
trust the difference of taste did not make our
song sound IN their ears as their song did in ours
ior II was more like the roaring of lions with had
colds than anything else could comrare it to-
Une OF our marines died and they allowed us to
OlFV MIN on shore, in a romantic spot. near one /
o. their cemeteries. with three volevs. and the
iansral service by the chaplain What differ
ence between what people expected and what
our guns have realized for usl II was absurd 10
attempt to treat with these people without force
az command sufficient TO answer, by silence a'one.
all their prevaricatons and excuses to gain time.
which appears TO be of no value to them They
were to have dined with the Commodore on hoard
me Fowhattan-l mean the Princes who nego-
uated the treaty.-on Monday the 9th. and no
Doubt had glorious time. We laid down cir
GUAR railroad, and the beautiful miniature loco
motive and car went round with great velocity
and regularity. TO the admiration of the Ja-
panese. many Of whom made several circuits in
the car.
We also set up a magnetic telegraph. which
succeeded In spelling japanese sounds. from one
END to the other, of course making them see that
II could be done. bat they evidently did not COM
pFehend nor fully believe it.