, 1854-01-28
The Prospects Of tho Japan ExDedItI,u,

Great general good TO the world at large
and the United States in particular, is ex-
peclcd TO be derived from the negotiations
recently opened by Commodor Perry as
the agent of our government at Japan. II
the overtures Of the President, doubtless
contained in the letter Of Mr.. Pierce already
delivered to the authorities Of that country,
are received in the same spirit which dicta-
ted them, and meet with the approval Of
Of the Japanese, we will have cause as
nation to rejoice over the accomplishment
of design long since medilated by our
own and other governments, and which will
unfold to US the riches and commerce OF
that wealthy country. Commodore Perry's
narrative Of his reception and the various
interviews with the head men and finally
with a bona fide relative Of the Emperor
himself, is intensely interesting, giving in
its peruSal a very clear and concise idea of
their manners, habits, customs, SC. From
lis details it will be seen that the japanese
are very suspicious and exceedingly inclined
to be formal in all intercourse with others
that they are brave needs no proof; a peo-
pie who have known no rebuff, no failure
in any undertaking and who never yet &c.
knowledged conqueror, cannot help but
possess the very elements Of bravery in
their midst. In their desire 10 act entirely
within the jurisdiction of the Emperor we
see that they are the subjects Of an iron will
whose word alone is law.
Taking into consideration the fact that
the japanese government has almost exclu-
sivsly maintained a complete silence as re-
CARDS its own affairs and refused, with one
exception, 10 have aught 10 do with other
nations in commercial point Of view, we
have no great hope for the success Of Com
modore Perry's mission. All their actions
during his visit in creating unnecessary de-
lays by evasive answers and otherwise,
proves that their ot aot was If possible, 10
compel Commodore Perry to return with
his letter no wiser than when he started,
or failing in this, to permit their govern
mcnt 10 think and act cautiously with the
stranger and his mission, and also 10 permit
as careful, prolonged and thorough an ex-
animation Of the various resources Of war
our ships possessed, as possible. Doubtless
in making this examination they were fully
convinced that we were dangerous when
aroused, and acting accordingly we may
expect in the future 10 see them endeavor-
ing in every way TO evade positive denial
of our requests, thinking thereby to refuse
us intercourse without the production Of
open hostility. To the accomplishment Of
this object they will bring in aid, all their
characteristic silence and willy suspicious
diplomacy. il is to be hoped that in these
supposiions we are wrong-that the an
Swcrs Of the. japanese nert gear will prove
favorable to our plans-that from their re-
ception we are at no distant period from
this moment to enjoy commercial inter-
course with Japan, and reap such benefits
as will tend 10 increase our wealth and pros
perperily as a people but taking every
thing into consideration we think no error
is committed when we aver that Commodore
Perry will return upon the occasion Of his
next visit with a refusal on the part of the
Japanese to open commercial relations with
the United States.