Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-09-02

THE AMERICANS IN JAPAN.

i years among
times think discern in the future probability Of
the opening Of the great empires China and Japan to An
gloSaxon energy and commerce. The first half of the
prediction remains to be accomplished the second has
been fulfilled The Americans have obtained their trea
t and the last stronghold Of excusvism has been bro
ken down. Commodore Perry, it win be remembered,
promised the Japanese to return in six months for the
answer Of the Emperor his demand for commercial
treaty The time granted considerable, and effort
was spared to employ the delay thus obtained divert
tue americans from their purpose. host Of rumors
were disseminated, every Of which, believe if the
subject were worthy Of the effort might be traced to the
Duen Of Java That Government is the only
one in Asia which could suffer from American success
II also the only one whose conduct has proved that 1t
is capable OF such consummae sefsess Be that as it
may the King Of the Netherlands talked nonsense about
offers Of mediation Dutch journals teemed with accounts
Of the preparations in Japan The Emperor was deter
mined to maintain his hereditary policy and to resist
force by force The harbors strongly fortified
Batteries mounted with countless cannon protected all
the coasts. million of were under arms The
warke mounaineers Of the interior had been enlisted
and the approach of the Sque6anna would be announced
from point point by flaming beacons The device fail
ed. Americans not easily frightened and the next
attempt to enlist their sympathies The secular EN-
peror was dead. Japanese etiquette requires twelve
months mourning, and it declared that during that
period they would enter into negotiations This also
proved abortvs AZ last resort advantage taken
Of the presence Of Russian squadron asserted
that Russian diplomacy had trumphed, that the Anne
ricans were fOed and that special treaty had been
concluded with the only Power which has interests hos
tile to those Of Japan Undeterred by all these rumors
Com Perry kept his word He had quilted Jeddo at the
end Of July He reappearcd the 18th February and
found that the policy Of exclusion had been abandoned
hat the million of existed only in Dutch imagna.
TONS that the Russian demand had met with curt re-
Iusal and that the guns were wooden quakers." He
was most cordially received The Americans, with their
vessels at anchor nine miles from Jeddo and their boats
sounding within three miles Of the wharves continued for
three weeks in frank and friendly intercourse with the
Japanese. The time was occupied in curiously
Characteristic Of both The Japan Commissioners
among whom were three members Of the Aristocratic
Council Of Seven which really governs the islands, re-
ceived and paid ceremonial visits wandered over the
ships and permitted artisans the Macedonian
The Americans took possession of plot Of ground, put
their miniature railroad, and arranged the electric
telegraph the wires of which be Immediately ex
tended to the capital At length, the 18th Of March,
the reply Of the Emperor received and after few
more interviews, the basis Of commercial treaty was
laid down. The precise terms Of this agreement have not
yet TRANSFERRED but sufficient known acquaint Europe
with the result Any two ports may be selected by the
ing Matsmai and sho-di-ma The former is the most
southery point Of the island Of Jesso and commands the
straits Of the coalng station is also to be
selected and American vessels supplied with Goals from
the mines in the interior Even at the last the
Japanese hestated. They desired delay of year be-
the coal depot should be conceded and FIVE years
before the trade should be commenced The Commodore
remained firm The coal depot must be opened at once
and the trade in 1855 and the Of the
a.
formidable friend The remainder of the stipulations
whatever they may be- Of comparatively trivial i'm
porance Com Perry has obtained the two objects which
Of national interest The coang station necessary
Shanghai Is secured. The trade Of country rich with
every natural advantage and with the industry of thirty
millions Of peaceful Japanese is thrown open to the world
The present treaty it is true the Americans
alone but the Japanese have expressed their willingness
to enter into similar engagements with any other Power
There many points Of view from which these facts
may well be regarded Of almost absorbing interest
We select but two The first is general the world the
second peculiar to ourselves the successful Of
commercial nations. There remains upon earth no
nation which is absolutely cut off from communion with
which European oostep has yet approached The
interior Of China and the countries of Central Africa
parts Of Australia and whole islands in the Eastern Arch
pelago still offer food for speculation and field for the
Geographical Society There slands still inaccessi-
be from the ferociy Of the barbarans whom we suffer
misuse them There territories where the features
and Voges turn aside to Investigations productive Of
more immediate result The Papuans still own New Gui-
panther its den, and the Guache is still
the only being acquainted with the valleys Of the Amazon
andthe Parana. Partial excusveness is also in places
seduousy maintained The Dutch detest nerlopers in
their settlements in the Archipelago, but their deesta
ten is shown only by monopoes, passports and
casiona act of judicial oppression The Chinese Govern
ment excludes strangers from the interior but Fortune
Hue and CADET penetrated the barrier and the Manchoo
dynasty is itself upon the point Of exclusion The Rus
sian Court needs spies upon the Obi but its agents
Europeans and grapes eaten and pekas danced
the house Of the Governor of Tobolsk There is in
fact nation remaining with whom segregation from
Europe is cardinal rule of policy, which by law
prohibits external commerce which regards liberal
curiosity State offence. That single fact would Of
itself justify the worlds interest in this expedition and
the length Of our remarks
Nevertheless it is Of little Importance when compared
to the next The expedition will have borne good fruit
If it teaches Engshmen to understand the answering
pertnacity with which Americans pursue great design
is five years since this project first assumed tangible
shape 1t is four since became confirmed idea Of the
American people It has been exposed all kinds of in
terrupons the death of the President who sanctioned it,
and the recall of the officer appointed to command It
at first too weak When il was strengthened sailors
not to be tempted from the search for Californian
gold When sailors obtained the Nova Scoans and
Lord Mamesbury fanced they had right to monopoly
of cod yet the Government and the people aban
doned for hour the original design They fought
against social difficulties, party feuds, and political OBJ
saces with that logged of which John Bull
is ne n nnon The enir