Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-06-15
The Treaty with Japan.

The China Mail and the Hong Kong Regis
ter contain full accounts Of the proceedings Of
the Americans at Japan. By these we learn
that the story of the Russian success in nego-
tiating commercial treaty with Japan is a
pure fiction. The Japanese only admit that
the Russian admiral said he would be back in
year, and say that the story Of his having ne
gotiated successfully for the opening Of Japan
in year from the date of his visit, was pure
fgment of the admiral's imagination. We ex-
tract the following from the Hong Kong Reg
lister of April 4th:
On Sunday last, the I'd instant, the United
States steam-frigate Susquehanna arrived in
harbor at about II, a. m. She left Japan on
the Oath March, making straight run down,
and brings US most important intelligence Of
the complete success of the American expedi-
ton.
The first thing learned on arrival at Japan
was O complete refutation of the Russian story
brought by the Vostock to Shanghai The
Russians made application to enter into
treaty with the Japanese, but were informed
by the provincial authorities that they could
have nothing to say to them then, as the EN-.
peror and the principal officers of state were
occupied in arranging treaty with the Amer
leans, and could not attend to any other bust
ness but that if the Russians would come
back in about year, treaty might be en-
tered into. The valuable presents OF the Rus
slams also could not be received, as the Japan
ese had none ready to give in return. This
statement of the success of the American ex-
petition would have been communicated faith
fully, we suppose, by most other people, for
the satisfaction OF the civilized world, but the
Russians in their report followed their old
trade, and, for little momentary admiration,
put forth o statement which, at the time, we
valued at its real worth.
The treaty provides for the opening of two
ports, Matsmai and Osaka; the first is the chief
city of the island of Yeso, and is situated at
the south end Of the island, near the entrance
of the Straits of Sanger, between Yeso and
Nippon. Osaka is a capital in Niphon, or Ja-
pan proper, and is situated on the west side,
about half way between Yedo, the capital, and
Nangasaki, the Dutch port of trade. 1t was
even expected that some more ports might be
added, and the Vandalia had been sent to re.
connoitre one Of the proposed places of trade.
Matters being in so forward o state, the Sus-
quehanna was dispatched for Mr.. McLane, that
he might be present at the final arrangement
of the treaty,
The American feet is now lying in Yedo bay,
out Of sight Of the capital, to which place, we
understand, it could not approach nearer than
six miles. The officers 60 on shore, and have
been well treated by the inhabitants, and on the
death of one of the sailors, not only was no OBJ
lection made to the body being inferred with
the due rites of Protestant Christians, but the
melancholy cortege was surrounded with an at
tentive and civil assembly Of many hundred
Japanese. We do not hear that any of the
officers have yet been in the capital, as it APP
pears there is some objection to their visiting it
before the treaty is finally concluded but it is
hoped that little Cancellation will render
everything agreeable, and that we may fairly
consider japan opened.
The China Mail Of the 9Th inst. gives long
and interesting account of the visit and reccp
ton Of the Americans, from which we extract
the following;
On the 7th Of March the meeting took place;
and in the interval, entertainments were inter
changed by the American and Japanese off.