The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1854-08-23

when they went down into the engine
room, and saw those huge pieces of iro'
moved SO easily and stopped so sudden
ly, the furnaces blazing out, and tn
whole place full of heated steam anC
| air, while all around them seemed an in
extricable mass of machinery, they CAV
way to their amazement in ejaculation
of wonder to each other, confessing t.
US that Japan could furnish nothing
like it. The exhibition was gratifica
3 tion to them, and was well calculated
to do good, as showing the power %
science, and the advances made in West
e,n lands over anything they have in
vented or seen.
From the engine room, the Commits
sioners went forward to witness the rap
id firing of howitzer, (6 times min
ute) and the size of the ship; most o
| the ships company being collected OIL
| the deck. too, and giving it an animated
appearance. Thence they were taken
to the cabin, the companion-way having
the American flag and imperial coat o1
arms hanging together over it; the lat
ter and Commissioner Lin's coat of arms
were hoisted at the fore and mizen also
At the dinner table, Commodore Perry
had Capts. Adams and Lee, and Capts.
Abbott and W alker opposite each other,
and his son, to meet the Commissioners.
The japanese interpreter did not pre-
sumo to sit, and his employers kept him
talking all the time. They were curl
GUS to know the names of, the viands,
vegetables, pastry, fruits, &C., offered
them, and tasted of every dish, more as
matter of curiosity than appetite
The wines pleased them too, and the
| fifth. Commissioner became quite merry,
hugging the Commodore most affection
ately in his happy moments and turn
ing the Prince of Mimasaki out of his
chair. Toward the end of the dinner,
cakes bearing small flags, with the coat
of arms of each Commissioner drawn on
them, were set before each, and pleased
them exceedingly, thegcompliment being
well received The health of the EN-
peror, and, in reciprocation, that of
President Pierce, were drunk; also the
Commissioners and officers of the ships,
with Commodore Perry's. On deck,
music enlivened the feast, while foreign
ers and natives were rather promiscu-
ously mixed up, for it was found diff
cult to keep the latter in their places.
One toast, J." That California and Japan
might step in and see each other. of a
morning, was well cheered and where
all were inclined to be pleased. matters
moved On merrily. The japanese were
not exactly sensible where they sye2e
half the time, if ole might judge by
their hilarity, but none of them got. ac-
tually drunk, freely as the wine and
toddy flowed. @
As night approached, Commissioner
Lin and his fellows moved to depart,
but they we're persuaded to wait little
longer to- hear some singing, which
pleased them hugely, and set the whole
deck in an rproar. Christy's or Ethio
plan singing has taken much in this part
Of the world, and there are several good
performers in the ships company. The
good natured Prince of Mimasaki was in
great glee at the drollery, and all our
company of nearly 200 japanese left in
fine humor, having had an entertainment
they are likely to remember for its nov 4.
city. The officers cordially co-opeTated
with the Commodore in doing their best
to please the guests, and though there
could be almost no conversation where
enly three or four understood common
there was no lack of interchange
of sentiment, drinking. of healths and
other politenesses. - =s Te
IS The treaty between Japan and the
United States, called the Treaty of
Kanagawa, from the name of the town
where the five Commissioners lodged,
and near which it had been discussed, |
was signed to-day in four languages
japanese, Chinese and Dutch. |
Copies are exchanged, and the rati6ca-
tions are to be exchanged in eighteen
Its provisions open new doors
Of intercourse with this long-secluded |
people, and intercourse will erelong
probably work itself way which the |
princes and councillors never dreamed |
Of, The hand and blessing of God can |
be seen in the degree of privileges and |
freedom which has been obtained, so
much greater than those best informed |
upon the spirit of japanese laws and |
policy, thought could be secured with
out a resort to actual hostilities. The |
purposes of the Ruler of nations; and |
the " Savior of his people" are, we re-
joice to know, designed to work togeth-
er and assist in the advancement of the |
best ultimate interests of man and glory |
Of God; and the step now taken is like
Iy to prove an important one in the his
tory of Eastern Asia.
In our intercourse with this people,
we have found them very inquisitive,
though their questions. very often seem
ed to be only to say something, without
having any object in view Or use in the
answer. Everybody carries his inkhorn
at his girdIe, l.ike the writer in Ezekiel
TX p and the answer is jotted down in
the book carried in the bosom. The
courtesy of the officials shows the
degree of politeness in which the Ja-
panese are trained, and does them cred
It; society seems to move on in an agree
ably manner among the higher gray es,
but the servility of the untitled people
strikes one less favorable. When one
If them is spoken to, he kneels nearly to
The ground as he sits. However, each
grade kneels and bows to the one next
lbove him, and 50 there is no envy, in
ier, where even justice is thus dealt out.
All official people wear two swords thrust
nto the girdle in an uneasy manner,
higher ones having a sword bearer com
ng after them, and no one can lightly
ouch it. These weapons are highly pol
shed, the metal seems to be excellent,
md the hits are often. richly ornamen-
ed; their manufacture is monopoly.
The people whom we have seen are !