Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-21

.,rhe Ianun E,nedltion.


The Japan Expedition.
Late accounts from China confirm the reports
hsrctuinre published, of the complete success OIL
Commodore Perry's expedition, and faisily the
predictions Of those political prophets who 50 con
fdenlIy pronouncedit a miserable failure. he
japanese have noonly agreed TO open theirPiFts to
American commerce, but pledge themselYesto- re
ceiye with cordially and protect fom damage any
Americans whomay visit them, and also 10 iuFniSi
water and provisions to american vessels Coal de
pots aud supply Of coal area so to be granted to
American steamers. The privileges thus conce-
ded to us were refused to other natlons-a high
compliment to our country on the part OF our
strange friends. The Japanese deny positively
that they have made any concessions to the Rus
slams, as had been rumored.
Thus has the success of the Expedition amply
indicated the wisdom OF the Administration that
organized it, and put to shame the croaking of
those who regarded it as lonlish and unproInising
The important advantages which it has been the
means of securing to our country Justify us in
claiming for its orgnators the highest meed OF
praise. Too much credit cannot be bestowed up
on Com Perry for the tact and ability he has
displayed in the management of the Expedition,
which he has conducted to results so favorable.
In all his intercourse with the people he has
oyinced diplomatic talents of high order. The
accounts of his intercourse with the japanese Off
cials are highly interesting. When any of his
men were upon shore, crowds poured out from al
directions to get peep at them and treated them
with their utmost Difference and respect. A wave
of the hand BY the, japanese officials kept the
crowd back, aud messenger having been sent
forward for the purpose, the people would back
themselves against the sides of the houses, and
leave the streets clear.
The Rev. Mr.. Bittnger the Chaplain of the
Expedition, visited some of the japanese houses,
'.which he found primitive in their furniture and
arrangements, but compared with other Oriental
dwellings of the same class, neat, clean and COM
Portable. In some of them he observed clocks of
Japanese manufacture. He also visited several
temples, which, though smaller than in China,
have more gildings on their walls and orna-
ments on their idols, and generally are in bet
ter order. The priests as well as the people were
distinguished Tor their courtesy. The cities Wis
tied were not only very extensive, ESTIMATED to
be six miles long, but with wide well formed
streets. Kasacca is from fifteen TO twenty miles
distant, by land, from the ships and Mr.. Bitten
ger being thus necessarily long absent, some anX-
iety was felt about him. As he was returning, a
Japanese officer put into his hands an order from
the commodore for all officers to return ON board,
and shortly afterwards, courier mounted on a
splendid black horse, delivered similar despatch
and finding it was unde stood aud acted on, turned
round, and gallopped back again to report the ap-
preach of the American officer, who concluded
his journey by torch-light, and found on his ar
rival that everything that had occurred had beer
noted. even the number of buttons on his coat be-
ing recorded"
The following is list ofthe articles presented
by Commodore Perry to the Emperor:
A railway with steam engine an electric tele-
! graph a surf boat; lie boat; pruning press
a fine lorgnette; a set of Audubon's American Or
anthology, splendidy bound plates of American
Indians maps of different States of America; ag
ricultural implements, with all the modern i'm
provements; piece of cloth; bale Of cotton;
Stove rifles, pistols aud swords champagne, cor
dials and American whiskey.
''And for the Empress, (prcsumng there Is
ono) "A telescope; a lorgnette in guided case
lady's toilet box. gilded; scarlet velvet dress
changeabe silk dressflowered;a splendid robe
Audubon's illustrated works; a handsome set .
china; mantelpiece clock; parIor stove; a boz
of fine wines box Of perlumegy a box OF fancy
soaps,
''Among the other presents. perhaps the one
most valued, was copy of Websters complete
Dictionary to the imperial interpreter. To Tho
high officers were given books. rifles, pistols
swords, wines. cloths, maps, stoves, clocks ant
cordias, the last of which they fully appreciated
and. as regards clocks, when it was proposed t.
bring an engineer from shipbosrd to set them ago
ing, the japanese said there was M occasion to-
that, for they had clocknakers in edo who un
derstood them perfectly"
! We guess these donations "astonished the ma
tives." 1t is ramored, though we are not prepar
cd to endorse the statement, that no persuasion'
could induce his majesty to take 'ride upon The
rail-"