Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-06-14
DAILY NATIONAL ERA.


THE JAPAN EXPEDITION. AND IT'S RESULTS.
One Of the most creditable acts Of the last
Administration was, sending an expedition to
japan, to effect, if possible, an opening Of it's
ports, and bring it into communication with
the Christian world SO far as we can see, the
instructions under which it proceeded were jn-
dci0us, and the manner in which it was con-
Quoted by the commanding officer was, on the
whole, discreet aud praiseworthy. To US at
this distance, and accustomed only to the mat
ter-offact ways Of solid civilization, some OF
the movements of Commodore Perry among
the Japanese may appear overstrained and
yainglorious but we must not forget that he
had to deal with People comparatively rude,
and more accessible through their senses and
imaginations, than an enlightened reason. At
all events the results OF the expedition arc bet
ter than we had reason to expect.
Some time since, the Richmond (Va.) Enqui-
ryr, whose spirit Of enterprise. extends just so
far as the necessities Of Slavery, and no fur
thor, treated the expedition and its objects with
great contempt.
"Absurd az was the dispatch of n squadron
10 the tipodes at this particular juncture on
an abortive if not Illicit enterprise, the origi-
nal stupidity OF the design has lost nothing in
the execution In his intercourse with the
Japanese authorities, Commodore Perry dis
played the vanity and insolence characteristic
Of his nature, and was most successful in exert
ing his extraordinary talent for making him
self d.sagreeable. 1t is quite amusing 70 CON-
template his pretentious seif-conceit and impe
rial airs in contrast with the fright and hu-
mility Of the Japanese But, with all his dem
onstrations of authority and power, he could
accomplish nothing. Overawed by his menaces,
the Japanese assembled and negotiated, but
conceded only shadows. The Russian Admiral
was more successful, and, in the absence of the
formal and fussy Perry persuaded the Govern
ment of Japan to abandon its exclusive and in
hospitable policy towards foreign nations.
Nevertheless, on his return, the Commodore
will doubtless adorn the walls Of the Navy De-
partment with lively illustrations of his ex-
ploits in the waters Of Japan-a fictitious dis
play Of heroism, in which he is wont to indulge
his vanity
"The correspondence closes with letter
from Secretary Dobbin, which, implying re-
buke Of the staggering conduct Of the Gem
modore, suggests tho propriety of something
less of violence in his intercourse with the ia
panese authorities Ii is manifest, from the
tenor of Mr.. Dobbin's dispatch, that the pres
emit Administration though disposed to prose
cute it to successful issue, do not regard the
expedition with any peculiar favor, nor antici
pate from it any very brilliant result. They
wisely give directions for tho return OF the
squadron, at the earliest period after the Com
modore has made another experiment on the
timid court of Jeddoo
The best comment upon this TRADE, is the in
telligence which has just reached this country
from China, that the Russian Admiral has not
been successful, while the American Commo-
dore has; that his negotiations have resulted
in opening free intercourse between the two
countries to be carried on through two ports
in Japan in securing stipulations for coal
depot, and a regular supply of coal for the Un.-
ted Statos steamers, and also for kind treat
ment, and an abundant supply OF water and
provisions for all Americans who may visit any
part of the Japanese coast. The Commodore
showed his good sense by proposing an extern
sion Of these privileges to all other nations but
heJapanese Commissioners demurred, express
ing, however, their willingness to make sepa-
rate treaties on similar terms with any other
nations that might seek them in a peaceful
manner. Ii is added that Commodore Perry
intends to remain two or three months on the
Japanese coast, for the purpose, we presume,
of seeing that there shall be no failure in the
arrangement agreed upon.
A correspondent Of the New York CONNER
eiai enumeratss the following articles as likely
10 bc in demand in Japan:
"Woollens Of every scription--preferabl
colors, red, blue, and yellow. Hardware-in-
GLIDING tools Of all kinds tin plates, stores, sc.
Observation-Disclosures, plate, and cut. Printed
cottons, Of fine texture and high colors; car
peting, heavy cotton gods, fire arms, clocks,
leather Of bright colors, &C. FROM the Japan
ese we can procure silver, gold, aud copper Of
unusual purity; ten and silk-the latter, how
ever Of an inferior quality"
On the whole, it would seem that Commo-
dore Perry and his officers have been at least
as pro6tably employed a. If they had been Gu
gagged in catching runaway slaves on the
Home Station or in dancing attendance at the
Courts Of petty Despotisms along the shores of
the Mediterranean. There is no harm in Civ
ing our navy something respectable and useful
TO do, in tho absence of any immediate neces
sity for blockade Of Cuba.
ON THE ALERT