The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-03-13
THE PERRYSBURG JOURNAL.
News from the Japan Expedition.

News from the Japan Fxpedition.
The Portland Advertiser publishes letter
from an officer of the Japan squadron, adj
dressed to a friend in that city, which con
tains many items of interest. We copy the
following:
A private letter from Kong Kong, under
date OF Dec. 10th, the day the overland mail
left, states that the ships of Commodore
Perry's squadron had all been fully coaled
and ordered to hold themselves III constant
readiness and full provisioned for six
months cruise. 1t is thought the Commo-
dore will make an early start for Loo Choo,
and after some exercise and drill proceed TO
Japan in March or April. The steamer
Lexington is said TO have arrived at Manila
Bay, in the Straits of MaCassar, and was
daily expected at Macao. AS she brings out
the railroad. and other presents for the EN-
peror of Japan, he: arrival had been anx-
ously expected Col. Marshall was at
Macao, awaiting his successor. The Gov
ernor of Hong Kong and the English Admi-
raj have orders from their government to fd-
cilitatc by every means in their power sue
cessful result TO Commodore Perrys mission.
The French Commodore is reported to have
similar orders Commodore Perry has had
the cabin of the SusquehAnna splenddly
fitted with silk, damask, and gold, it was
ries Having landed to present the Presi-
to insist upon The Emperor's reply being
brought on board to him.
1t has been confidently stated, in an Eng
lish paper, originally, according to our recol-
lection, that the regulations OF the japanese
Court forbid all communication with for
eigners of every description for the ;erm OF
two years after the death of the ruler Of the
Empire. This statement accompanied the
rumor, since formally confirmed, of the
decease of the Emperor. Whether the story
is true, or timely fabrication, to furnish a
sufficient excuse for refusing TO answer the
Presidents letter, delivered by Commodore
Perry, cannot be known. But the latter is
the most probable supposition. The cir
cumstance must be fatal to the success OF
the expedition, in either case. We shall be
curious to see an explanation of the strange
course of Commodore Perry. in voluntarily
giving the Japanese six months TO prepare a
reply to the proposition for commercial in
tercourse, made in behalf of this country by
the executive. TO uy it seems almost like
suggesting the idea Of subterfuge to cvade
the application. We never entertained any
very strong hopes that the selfish and excu-
sive policy of japan would be modified
upon the request of our government and
when Perry departed from the waters of the
country without waiting for response, we
made sure of the utter failure of the expe-
dition. Probably no direct reply could have
been obtained a; any time; but pressing
d7mand for a prompt answer was the obvi-
ous course to adopt. Delay was precisely
what the Japanese wanted, as it gave them
an opportunity TO devise some pretext for
putting us off, TO which we could take nc
reasonable exception. The death of the
Emperor. whether real or simulated, will
enable til m TO battle and confound us in the
most etlactual, elegant and oriental style
/ Buff Com.
Arrival of the Atlantic,