Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-05-06
THE JAPAN SQUADRON.
he represents

| EXTRACTS from Letter Of an officer on board
Com. PEERY's flagship to his friend in Washing
ton, dated Napa Keang Great Loo Choo, February
| 3, 1854:
We left Hong Kong on the 14th ultimo, in company
with the Powhatan Mississippi, Southampton and Lex
ington the Macedonian, Vandalia and Supply having
preceded US. On arrival here found them ali safe. We
were shortly after joined BY the Southampton and Lex
ngton, they having been towed most of the way These
three storeshps brought each about four hundred
Of COAL with supplies and provisions and stores, that
have six months supplies with US, which viii
able to remain long enough the coast OF Japan to
give fair test to the experiment have undertaken Of
bringing the authorities of that country into of
intercourse with
With the people Of this island we are getting along
swimmingy; everyday brings about concession
from them which six months ago would not have been
thought of.
To-day We visited the Regent at the Royal Palace in
the city of Shu about three miles from Napa, accompa
by an escort of two companies of marines three
bands and about forty officers, by this sort of show
the people these countries readily influenced
We first visited the Regent at the Palace, and from
thence went to the City Hall, where grand entertain
nent was served to the whole party On leaving the
Commodore invited the Regent and authorities to
tertainment board the flagship, to off our
return from Japan They have already dned with him,
but intend returning to give them sort Of dramatic
show to be gotten up by the crew.
You cannot or rather it would be difficult for you to
imagine the beauties Of this island with respect to the
charming scenery and its marvellous perfection Of Guilt
vation its ancient bridges paved roads, canals dapi
dated works Of defence, &c. There five palaces in
the cy the visited is of very great extent, pro-
baby covering space of three acres with massive walls
quite equal to many of the old castles Of Europe
The island contains population Of one hundred and
fifty or two hundred thousand souls and have much
control of it and the authorities and people if it
conquered country: and what is singular, not
friendly act or instance of coercion has occurred in
bringing these things about We have explored the whole
interior Of the island and surveyed the entire coast The
people s7herever parties 60 attend upon them and
supply them with lodgings and provisions At first they
would receive compensation, but the Commodore in
sisted that nothing should be accepted unless paid
for and there is little difficulty in that way.
You are that it is Eastern practice to exchange
presents all occasions of public visits These must be
given and received there intercourse rather
no interchange ofvss Consequently the Commodore sent
his presents day two ago. and to-day every officer
ceyed rAng present from the Regent which had to be
received or the whole harmony of the visit would have
been destroyed These presents from the Lew Chewans
are OF small V2lue, sucn pipes,
presents to them have been substantial the State
Department having provided very literally in this respect
Hitherto our whaling ships have dared to en-
ter the ports Of this isaud now they do so with
perfect safety, and be furnished with supplies at fair
prices.
As evidence Of the confidence have in their peace
full intentions shall leave party the island in charge
of depot OF COAL established here this very day The
Regent has promised take good of them during
absence
The island has been ruled over for nearly thousand
years by line OF kings The present heir to the throne
being minor, thrteen years old the kingdom is gov
erned by Regent who has assist him three COUNSEL
ors 1t dependency of Japan, and sends annually to
that empire "a large amount in taxes.
We sail in three days for Jeddo Bay, the Macedo-
man. Vandalia, southampton, and Lexington having al
ready gone. The Supply has just discharged her coal
into the three Steamers and viii sail in day two
for Shanghai for another cargo to join US at eddo We
could not have managed at all without the assistance Of
the storeshps not vessel could be chartered in China
for transporting COAL and whole cruise this spring
would have been defeated had it not been for their services