The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-07-01
THE MINI ESQ TIA N
SATURDAY MORNING, JUNE "a. 1854.
&C Japan Opened.o

lars of the promising success OF COMMODORE
perrv.s expedition to Japan. Our nearest
ne;obbor in the commercial editorial world, the
editor of the Galena Advertiser, remarks that
"this is a great triumph of peace. The power
ful empire of Japan, which has been SO long
scaled to the commerce of the world, has been
opeaed, without firing a shot or using an angry
word"
Speaking of this important advent Of the
Yankees into the heretofore sealed empire, the
Hong Kong Register OF the 18th Of April, says :
The next mail will carry hence one of the
most important pieces of intelligence that has
ever left this city Of late years-the opening .ot
the empire of Japan, and perhaps not the least
singular part of the tale is, the ease with which
it has been done. 1t reads like some story Of
enchanted adventure reserved for one true
knight alone to accomplish, all Others being
foiled with ignominy, until the real hero ap,
pears, when deep bitches and unscaleable walls
fall away by magic, and the victorious knight
enters with ease the hitherto forbidden pre-
cincts, not only no one saying nay, but on the
contrary, every one meeting him with hearty
welcome Such, in sober reality, has been the
result of Commodore Perry's expedition.
The Susquehana arrived at Hong Kong IRON
Japan on I'd April, bringing the gratifying IN
telligence that Commodore Perry had succeed
ed in the object OF his mission IN manner INA
will confer honor on his country and enduring
fame on himself The precise terms of CONNER
cial treaty had not been definitely arranged
when the Susquehana left the Iedo on the 24th
of March but enough had been done to estab-
lish a friendly feeling between the two cOun-
tries The opening of three or more ports to
the commerce Of America, and the furnishing
Goals for its steamers. may be considered as
matters settled, and Capt. Adams held himself
in readiness to proceed in the Saratoga to bear
the intelligence to the Government at Wash
iDgton.
Commodore Perry, in the Susquchana, left
the harbor of Hong Kong on the nth Of Janu-
airy, accompanied by the Powhattan and the
mississippi the sailing vessels Fandalia, South
ampton, Supply and Lexington, having some
time before proceeded to the rendezvous at
Napakiang in Loo Choo, where the squadron
met on the 2lst of January. Nothing of i'm
portance occurred at Loo Choo beyond visiting
the capital, Studs, with the temples and forts.
and admring as others have done, the pictur-
esque and surprisingly beautiful scenery OF the
island.
The sailing vessels were dispatched for ia
pan on the last day of January, under command
of Captain Abbot the steamships following on
the 9Th February and along with the sloop
Saratoga from Shanghai, joined the sailing YES
sells in the waters of Japan on the 18th, without
accident. beyond the temporary grounding of
the Macedonian, which was lightened and
speedily got Oft. The whole squadron then
proceeded and anchored in the bay of 1edO,
passing Uraga, where last year the Interview
and the delivery of the Presidents letter took
place. A few small forts, mounting ten or
twelve guns each, were observed, but made no
hostile demonstrations. Boats were not allow
ed to come alongside until the vessels had their
stations, and then Government officers were di-
rected to the Powhattan. (to which the CommO-
dore's flag had been removed.) where they had
an interview on the 18th with the fleet Captain
Adams, to whom, after the exchange of compli-
ments, the japanese stated that in few days
special high officer would be sent to ledo. to
meet the Commodore and arrange everything
in courteous, frank and friendly manner but
they objected that the vessels had come too far
up, and recommended their return to Craga,
where the Emperor desired the meeting should
be held as before; and that point they consi-
dered as of more Importance than talking about
the weather. which subject would seem to be
the pis-dNer of conversation in Japan as in all
the rest of the world.
The following day, 18th, another interview
was held on board the Powhattan, when the ia
panese renewed their urgency about the meet
Ing being held at Uraga, where on the previous
occasion everything had passed in so amicable
and pleasant a manner, and to which the Com
modore had said he would return. Finding
that Craga was still objected to- they then pro-
posed kamakuka, where the Macedonian had
got ashore, and which they held to be much
more convenient place than kanagawa, be-
tween the present anchorage and Iedo, as sug-
gested by DIR. s. W. Williams. But after much
talk on the subject, the Japanese at length left
1t to the Commodore to select place for the
interview. Before taking leave. the deputa-
ton said if the ships needed water or provi
sions, boats would be sent with supplies; hut
they were told that, except water, nothing else
was likely to be required.
After mature consideration, Commodore Per
ry decided to send Captain Adams in the Van
dalia to meet the Governor of the Province at
Craga. Captain Adams was there informed by
the Governor that everything was ready for
considering the terms of Il treaty between ia
pan and the United States and if the Commo-
dore Tor, as he was termed the Admira) would
come to Craga, it would be concluded before
the going down of the sun. 1t is supposed,
however, that whatever was here meant by a
treaty was a favorable reply from the Emperor
to the Presidents letter on the subject. But
Captains Adams reiterated that the Commo-
dore would not came to Craga, where he had
found the anchorage to be Indifferent, but
would meet the Japanese Commissioners at
Iononana, OH tue present anchorage oil the
flagship, ten to twenty miles from Uraga
Captain Adams rejoincd the squadron on the
24th OF February. and the following day the ia
panese officers visited the flagship to settle the
place of meeting, when the Commodore, among
other things, told them that having been en-
trusted with so many ships which were seven
teen thousand miles from home, he was reason
ably anxious about their safety. and experience
had proved that Uraga did not offer so secure
an anchorage as where they now lay. Some
discussion ensued, but finally it was arranged
that the meeting should be held at Yokohama
Eleven days afterwards the meeting took
place, and in the interval entertainments were
lnterehanged by the American and Japanese
oncers. AT one of two given by Captain Blu.
chanan. the Governor of Uraga at once fell in
with foreign observances in toasting and speech.
flying. Captain Buchanan proposed the health
of the Emperor of Japan, which was drank
standing, with all the honors," and was ac
knowledged 10y the Governor of Craga, who in
return similarly proposed the health of tn,
United States. The Japanese took their liquor
freely, especially champagne and liquors
greatly admiring the glassware that contained