The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-07-14

let them transmit these distributions with all their blessings,
to the most distant generation
From the N. Y. Journal of Commerce
THE OPENING OF OUR RELATIONS WITH JAPAN.
We have at length succeeded in gaining firm footing
in the hitherto inaccessible empire OF Japan Commodore
Perry appears have accomplished his mission in the
satisfactory manner The undertaking delicate one
and beset with many difficulties but by the
of sound discretion good tact and calm persistence
by due courtesy and conciliaon yet without any crngng
without any compromise all has been attained that
opening of relations with such empire could rea-
sonably be expected The floating idea in the public mind,
not of America only, but of Europe that Japan
wealthy country possessing an ingenious and industrious
people with peculiar but advanced civilization may prob
ably out have been somewhat exaggerated. But
that its government is despoc and therefore jealous OF
foreign intrusion and indeed that has always shown
great suspicion and mstrus of other people, is abun-
dainty authenticated, and has constituted the chief diff
Guilty in the way of successful negotiation 1t is mainly
this that much credit is due to the gallant
commodore for what he has done and trust that there
will be found the part both of the government and the
people of the United States just appreciation of the great
service he has rendered his country and indeed the
whole civilized world.
The honor of having broken through the wall of part-
ton which has hitherto for many excluded all
the world from intercourse with Japan belongs to this
country and may well be proud of it, But other
whatever they may be; and already instructions have
been sent Sir John Bowring, the British envoy in
China by her Britannia Majesys government ask from
the Emperor of Japan similar privilege to that which
has been honorably secured by the United States,
and Sir John is proceed at to Japan to make the
demand.
The treaty which Commodore Perry succeeded in
Guiding is not let it be observed treaty Of commerce. but
treaty of amity and friendship though opens to Amer
lean citizens and the American trade two of the principal
ports the empirethat of Samod in the island Of Nj
phon and that of Chikadada in the island of Yesso These
ports will every present purpose for COM
mercal intercourse with that country They conye-
nently situated and OF them, Samodi, is
dous for coal that depot is forthwith to be established
there and arrangements to be Immediately made for
constant supplya most important point gained for
abling successfully to prosecute steam navigation
those The port in other respects most desirable
position 1t adoins the manufacturing districts of the
country, which not otherwise it seems accessible by
sea- 1t is good harbor the neighboring population is
extensive and altogether would appear to be eligible
situation for foreign trade The other port has also its
advantages At both there to be permitted all requisite
intercourse for the purposes of for American
citizens may reside within their walls and American
suls are to be stationed there.
1t may not be generally knownor at any rate, it is
apt to be orgoenthat long ago the reign Of James
the First of England similar treaty of amty grant
J
stpulations for gave free license to the subjects of the
King of Great Britain forever safely into any of
ports Of our empire Of JAPAN with their ships and
chandses without any hndrancc to them their goods
and to abide buy SELL and barter according their
manner with all nations to tarry here long they
think good and to depart at their pleasure" It granted
Them also freedom of custom for all such merchandise
as either now they have brought hereafter shall bring
into kingdom, shall from hence transport any
eign portogether with all due protection alike of prop
erty and person But this did not last long The conduct
of the Portuguese esus produced the expulsion of all for
eigners except the Dutch from the empire and has
stoned their exclusion The Russians have made many
tempts to open up commercial relations with Japan but
vain the positive laws of the country and their want
of tact defeating every effort
1t remains for the United States to take the lead in
ryng out the natural results of such enterprse-to
avail itself fully and proftably of the intercourse that is
permitted and in doing to show to the Japanese the
substantial advantages of advanced civilization
Their nNtifarious and valuable they
furnish us with many important products both natural
and artificial; and intercourse with them is ina
proved there will gradually be established without doubt
extensive and beneficial trade. The country exceed
ngly populous and already the people have for the
convenience and the eegancies of civilized lte
and many Of them would to have ample means of
purchasing them Nearly three centuries since when Dr.
Kempfer wrote that countrywide physician to
the Dutch embassy ut the Emperors court-there
abundant evidences their acquaintance with the require
ments of social and domestic life and Of the provision that
then existed for the supply of their requirements 81 could
not help admirng observes that carly and able writer
Japan, the great number of shops met with in all the
cities towns and large streets being
anything else but continued of shops both Sides
At the present day it is reasonable to conclude this is
much the These grcat number Of shops then
will now be open TO the reception of merchandise
and let hope that time will be lost in offering them
supplies and bringing home, in exchange for them
their valuable products
There is commodity better than all Others which
must not fail to send them in the fastest time and way
viz the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the advantages Of
higher civilization. We have gained position which
adds to responsibilities Christian people, and it
must not any account be neglected.
We some time ago mentioned that the British govern
men had notified the United States of their intention to
take possession of the Russian possessions in America and
those in Asia bordering the Pacific This correspond
emit of the London Shipping Gazette contends ought be
done al Nicholas would thus be confined to his
ports in the Frozen ocean White and Baltic which
closed six months in the year. aud be prevented from in
juring British shipping in the Pacific We copy what the
writer says further it is matter of some interest to