The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-27
The OPENING OF JAPAN.
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Our Suecial Correspondlencs


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Our Special Correspondence.
THE RESULT OF THE AMERICAN ExPEDITION-INTE
RESTING ACCOUNT OF THE INTERVIEWS WITH THE
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES POINTS OF THE
HONG KONG, April IL, 1854.
The charm is broken, and the mystery which for
10 many centuries has hung these tabled realms,
has been penetrated, if not dispeled, by American
enterprise and American curiosity. The prayers Of
he faithful throughout the world that this Gland Of
nartyrs-if not the prayers Of those martyrs them
solves, whose spirits hover their former abodes
have been heard and henceforth we may regard
japan as among the families of the earth. II is suf
ncient to know that concessions have been made,
and intimations have been given that the same
SESSIONS will be made to other nations peaceaby de-
manding them. To America it may justly be sub
ect of pride that she has introduced her elder sister
Japan TO the society Of nations.
send you herewith an extra from the office of
The Friend of China, containing the movements OF
Che squadron until the sailing of the Susquehanna,
few days before the signing of the treaty. That
treaty was to have been signed the Goth of March
Il is probable that this may arrive before Captain
Adams, who has been despatched via San Francisco,
10 Washington, and who besides the official occur
Iences will be able to furnish detailed account Of
the circumstances connected with the interviews
which took place. will add some particulars, how
ever, not mentioned in the extra" alluded to, and
which have had it i'll my power to collect from
most reliable sources. One of the first ports offered
b stated to be some seventy miles south of Jeddo.
The vessels sent to survey that port found 1t to
be . good one, but the bar at its mouth was too
shallow to permit it's being accepted. Commodore
Perry refused to have anything to do with Manga
Rki. Time honored restrictions and contempt for
foreigners are 80 identified with that harbor and
4swn that 1t was judged inexpedient to make 1t
even depot for Goals. II was thought better to
commence at some port where foreigners were not
known. The Japanese discaimed all sovereignty
ever the Loo Choo Islands, and therefore appa-
rent occupancy Of foothold there was not consi-
aered in the treaty
Commodore Perry is to stipulate for three ports,
Of which, it is stated, he will insist that Jeddo
shall be one. Matsmai has been agreed on the
other, and probably Sha-di mai will be the third.
OF all these ports accurate surveys will be made,
or, rather, have been made. The Japanese
negotators wished to delay, on the plea of
preparations necessary for these ports Com
modOre Perry replied that preparations
were necessary; all that was wanted was the per
mission to trace aud reit ut these ports An ahund-
ance of coal has been promised 1t is confdentially
asserted that the chief men among the Japanese
expressed themselves to the effect that the time had
now arrived when it was required for Japan to
change her policy in regard to Intercourse with TO
reigbers, and to act like other nations in that
speCt.
1t liz not little curious that 80 much ignorance
has existed in regard to Japan. The question has
been often asked what feet could accomplish to-
wards bringing to terms people numbering some
fifty millions. The answer is that Japfn is entirety
at the mercy of maritime nation list because the
people OF that country now subsistinG on mimi
muIa and depend for this subsistence upon their
coast trade, which is immense, and destruction or
interruption OF this coast trade brings famine and
desoction throughout the land; I'd, an immense
number OF the population reside the seaehore, in
villages and cities. need only mention Nargasaki,
Matsmei, OZaca, and JeddO; the latter Of which il
not the largest city in the world probably contains
more inhabitants than any other. In view Of these
facts, no doubt the Japanese have been brought to
treat. Now that the truth on this score hts teen
tested, there is no knowing to what extent the con-
cessions will be made and granted.
The Japanese are inundated They had tive air
Of people who had for long while anticipated hcs-
tile visit, and had wearied in watching for il. The
very length Of time which the expedition has threat
eued them has been in favor of its success.
The first question asked was, usual, on the sub
ject Of religion. Perhaps this may now be only
form, which their ancestors have handed down. /
regret that am not able to inform you with much
creunstantiality of what took place on that head.
Commodore Perry is said to have informed them,
however, that in his country all religions free,
and that be did not come to treat on that subject.
believe he even advised them to adopt the same po
hey Protection is to5e afforded TO our shipwrecked
seamen, and coal for our steamers. The treaty will
be made out in English, Dutch, and Japanese. Some
months will elapse before all the negotiations are
ratified. In the meantime something interesting
may be looked for from this quarter either from the
movements OF our own feet, from the action
which the French and English will take if they do
not find themselves already sufficiently occupied.
may be gratifying to your readers to be Informed
OF some OF the incidents of the byplay, as it were
hn Iona
being exceedingly artful and punctilious, you may
be certain that it required no little dexterity and
firmness to deal successfully with them.
AT the former visit last year the fleet anchored at
Dragon this occasion they anchored nearer
Jeddo. To this the commissioners demonstrated,
saying that Uraga had been the place agreed on.
In the meantime the boats were sounding every
day, and after receiving the reports to the depth
OF water, the vessels would be moved up higher TO-
wards Jecdo. To this sounding the Japanese OBJ
jecsed, OF course; but when they found the Ameri-
negotiations at point half way between Uraga
aud the American anchorage An officer sent to
examine that spot found it fishing village totally
inappropriate for the purpose. The Japanese were
obliged to yield, as Perry threatened to hold the
interview in Jeddo ITSELF or that interview you
will read In the extra enclosed. During its continu.
ance, however, the suite of the Commodore were
entertained by feast which they represent as be-
ing to them most unsavory. Cooked worms, fried
snakes. and variety of indigestible compounds,
had to be partaken of for politeness sake,
Inc houses mot more :han two stories high, pro-
baby ON account Of the earthquakes) have no signs
oil that sumptuousness OF which we read so much
nor did the officers either at this interview or in
their rambles, observe any evidence of that wealth
and Pomp with which the high functonaries of japan
are said to surround themselves. They had soldiers
nDged in line to the council house, These were
armed with an old fashioned freock-a cover being
thrown over the breech-wth cross bows and with
spears inlaid with mother ofpcarl. Their aspect
was stated to be ext emely unwarlike, and poorly
calculated to inspire terror into the hearts of q
vaorous enemy. 1t is matter OF surprise that
the japanese can be considered a. warlike nation.
The books which have been written on them, on
this subject and on many others, as far as such
limited experience can be trusted are extremely
detective and erroneous. Their cannOns are not
more than twelve FOUNDERS, and nothing astonished
them more than the SIZE of the guns board of the
steamers-frequently taking Off their hats and In.
truth of what they saw. friend entertans so
little aIiniop Of thoir 4laa4 Lo