The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-10-06
Opening Japan.


The following official Dispatch has been received
frpm Com. ". &. Perry, commanding the United
States navel forces in The East India, China, and
Japan seas. dated.
u S. STEAM FRIGATE PUwHArAS,
Harbur of Hakodadi, Island OF Jesse, Japan.
May 30, 1854.
have examined the porrs ST Simoda and llako-
dadi, which are to be opened 10 the vessels Of the
United States, and happy 10 inform the de-
parlment that, with respect 10 geographical POSI-
ton. convenience Of ingress and egress, and com.
modIousncss for all the purposes required. IEey
Cannon be surpassed. This is Of the safest
and most convenient harbors ] have ever seen for
vesses IL ell classes and il is sufficiently capacious
To hold ali the EavCs OF The world.
The authorities and people OF the two towns and
their yicInilas have manifested much kindness and
attention. The ships have been promptly sup
Piled, al reasonable prices with wood, "aier, and
such other articles as the country could furnish.
Tie singular abs.eniOusness OF tie japanese from
nuirnai food has never made it necessary for them
10 reaE and fatcn animals CIR the market, and
hence the scarcity of that nliment so necessary
10 people OF the western nations. IL is quite
probable, However, that they will hereafter be
better prcp,red to meet the demands Of the vessels
visiting The two ports. Poultry and fish, and, at
The proper seasons, fruit and vegetables, may be
obininrd in reasonable quantities, and one or Two
ships could always be provided with a sufficeDcy
for their wants.
A; both places the officers and those of the
Crews who have brcn permitted TO leave the ships
70 freely about IN Town and country, end on fish
Ing and shoo'Ing excursions, visiting the shops,
the temples, and other places of interest, without
the slightest intolerance or molssation, and are
everywh here treated with kindness and respect, and
especially by the country people. Rutone instance
has occurred of annoyance TO any one, and this
"a! Simnda; and It's being represented TO
me, 1 demanded and received an apology from the
project no dSaV owed the acts Of the officers who
committed the offence.
Acc prding to arrangement, / am 10 meet or
more Of The imperial commissioners al Simoda
the Is h OF next month (Junc) to settle various
maicrC CONNECTED with proper understanding of
the atty; after this is accomplished, shall re.
turn TO Hong Kong by the way of Ohio. Sima, Lew.
Chew, and the ports Of Nngpo, Fuhchow, and
Annoy. in China. The officers of my comma nd
have constructed sevcra! valuable charts Of the
harbors and COASTS of Japan, and our collection o.
specimens of natural history, and OF drawings,
sketches, &c, is rapidly increasing.
One Of The vessels of The squadron is now en-
gagged liz making Reconnaissance of "Volcan no
Bay" convene mt anchorage, about q 0 miles from
this port.
Until this time have not Lad il in my power
10 Insti'ure in IA thorough manner the researches
aud inquiries which the department has ordered
in ITS instructions of October %, 1852, Nav l6,
1858. and June IL, 1853, with respect to the fate
OF our ici"w-country men, supposed either to have
been lost nj sea, to be still alive and held in
captivity in Formosa, the islands OF japan.
The authorities here have furnished answers TO
my several inquiries upon the subject herewith
enclosed aud propose TO send The Macedonian
accompanied by the Southampton, TO Formosa.
th're to prosecute every possible research, and at
IN" same time 10 examine the coal region Of that
island.
rs evidence Of the good understanding subsist.
Ing. as we'll at this place at KsnagawR and
Sim"da. may remark that The project, governor,
mayor and other persons of rank, visited this ship
ny invitation last evening, and were entertained
by m" ut a Gnrmal supper.
With great respect have The honor TO he, sir,
your most obedent servant. NJ. c. PERRY,
COMMANDMENT. Chief u. s. naval forces,
East India, China, and japan SEAS
To the Hon. JAMES e.. DeBBIN,
Secretary Of the Navy, Washington, d. c.