The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-18
Interesting from JAPAN
OUR Yxppo CORRESPONDENCE.


interesting from Japan.
OUR YxDDo CORRESPONDENCE.
Yzpo Bar. JArAH, April 5, 1854.
TIE CITY of Ytddo-Redundant Population Of the
Emrrs-Poatieal Economy of the Emperor
Scene of the Lnterpiew NTH The Commissioners
'-YuIous Dishes at the Feast Trade, Agrtcsl.
ts~v. o~d Mechanical Pussuits. ;.
The squadron Il at anchor in Yedo bay, (spelt
.ede on tho charts-pronounc Edo, by the ia
paasse,S and within eigh miles of the city of Yedo
Which, u 10 said. conta rs a opulation of two mil.
AsaA
Ths empire Of Japan is supposed, from the best
infsrn atien, TO have population Of ixsy mill
hoass who ar wholly sustained BY tee empire,
Which Is In geographical extent not much more thsa
Ne British isles May not this redundant popula-
hen b subject late Of much concern to thems
II this large population were to have blight in
the noe crops, the Irish had In the potato crop,
what IN evil it would pro luce! Rice T. great an
article Of compound in their diet that nothing short
Of fhrinacjous food could supply the place of 1t.
Such is the demand for rice that the sides Of hills
arc teaced and irrigated for the production Of that
article. Has the yield always answered the demand.
And can tho yield be made in the ratio to the in
grease Of population? We think not. China is
near BY. and could supply them when in want of
that article; but China has population OF tw, hun
dred and forty millions, who, like the Japanese,
ere chiefly sustained by it. II must therefore, be
socn that Japan will have either to End an outlet
Tor her redundant population, or open her markets
to commerce. Perhaps not one idea bearing on the
subject. worn threadbare by political economists,
has ever entered the brain of his Imperial Majesty;
but when he was informed by our President that
bis empire contained great abundance OF coal,
which our steamers in going from California to
China must use" he then saw mountains OF wealth,
and the importance of making . treaty Of amity
and commerce with us. This was the KEY which
unlosked Japan for US.
The Commodore met the japanese Commission
eCs on tho 9th inst The escort OF officers sailors
and marines, In all aboat i've hundred disembarked
IN effective order The three sides of square were
quickly formed: the marines formed the right with
their right on the beach, and the bottom Of the
square; and the sailors formed the left, with their
lett On the beach. The three bands of the steamers
occupied different positions of the square.
The odlcera formed themselves inside tho square
ntetw lines, about ten feet apart, facing towards
the beach. In the rear and outside Of the square
wss crowd of Japanese looking on with in
tefcst. Time having been given to the whole es.
coFt 70 form In position, the Commodore showed Off
ffpm his flag steamer and landed, with two tall ne.
grses On his right and eft bearing each the Ameri
ca enigD. He was received by the officers and
by the marines and sailors, under salute of pre-
seaf arms" followed by martial music from the
band Of tho Mississippi. salute was fred from
the launches at the beach, In honor of the Japa.
i nee % Proceeding through the double
men IN double Tile to the building expressly
erected for this interesting occasion The hall or
x0em was oblong. with small recess formed at the
upper end. Long seats AMI tables In two rows pa-
xslels Wero arranged on the lett side from the en-
trance, and covered with lively colored Canton Grape
Where the officers seated themselves according to
rank the Commodore in front and at the upper
end. On The opposite size was q long single seat.
Wtthe0t table, covered like the Others and unoccu-
pied. 1he floor WAS covered with fine mating.
= TIE place OF glass there was silk paper for the
win1ews. which threw a soft light over the room.
ShsEtay after the officers seated, the Japanese
cemmtssioners, five In number seated themselves
opposite the Commodore. They were dressed
n9niy N Canton Grape and twilled silk of plain
cs!ors and various patterns; one Of whom was
prince, and the second In authority In the kingdom.
The Interpreter Ut the commissioners was japanese
speaking Dutch, who took his position on the floor
head bent low ana then shifting his position from
ono party 70 the other. to interpret he crawed on
his hands and feet Such Ia the custom {, be oh.
served In the presence of him who is high in
The Commodore's interpreter was a Hollander,
and attached 10 his suite. The Ddtch have had for
the two last centuries very limited trade with
JaPsn-w1th only one port--Nagasaki Oue or two
Hence some OF the Japanese required 10 obtain
q knowledge Of the Dutch language.
Tho Prince inquired after the health Of the Com
moAore, who was recovering from a short Illness |
and was informed tnat il was better. Another "a.
lutte was, OF this time, being fired by the launches
at The beach; the Commodore nstru ,ted his inter-
prefer TO say that the salute was in honor Of the
Emperor OF Japan. The Commissioners returned
thanks to the Commodore, and informed him that
the mail recess was for his reception; but that it
would not admit more than five persons with them.
In this recess was q table, with seats each side,
dressed with lively colored Canton Grape, the whole
looking like ice cream box. The Commodore,
with his suite of four selected, and the Japanese
Commissioners, retired to IT, and were curtaned
from view. Let il be said here that the Commodore
will work hard for good treaty.
Tho escort OF officers were left to themselves, but
emily for moment. preparation was imme distely
made TO regale them. In came Japanese, richly
attiEed In Canton Grape and silks, vita small beau.
TRULY japanned stands, on each Of which was cup
Of hot, weak tea, without sugar or much flavor;
then with other jspanned stands, having on each
small piece Of cake, like that Of sponge, and two
kinds of sugar candy, one like cream and the other
common CANDY, without scent; now with others,
larger and more elegant, having two saucers alled
with prepared fish, gelatinated, and resembling
from the coloring matter of rich yellow pink, and
blue Il cootained-candy; with the fish were two
small cups: ore contained soy, and the other an
agreeable oondment, and a small japanued bowl of
fsh o. oyster soup; In one saucer, with the fish,
were three different kinds Of prepared vegetables
the 6rst was the white radlsh, scrapeo as horse |
rAdish ID used; the second, raw cabbage cut 10 |
small strings; the third, . small, white vegetable, /
pared. Not having knives, forks, nor spoons the |
Japanese had desired the officers TO provide them
selves with these articles. They use like the Chi
nese ohopsticks, which are two small round sticks,
70 eat their food. The fish having peculiarly I'M
paeasAnt taste, was little eaten; but the soup was
reliHhed On the stand with the fish, was also an
kmFey japanned saucer, into which was poured q
nvorite drink OF theirs sweetened sackee, spirit
vs0laed rom rice which tasted like Italia, distilled
IN rceu rom grape They were ever ready TO
fepieoish thc saucer with 1t, from vessel like tea
kettle, carried in hand, and seemed surprised when
m O0cer did not empty his SANGER This mark of
attention was not strange at ALL for In every other