Washington telegraph., 1854-04-12
The Japan Squadron at Loo Choo.

1
The National Intelligencer publishes the follow
ing extracts from a letter of an officer on board
Com. Perry's flagship. TO his friend in Washing
ton. dated Napa keang Great Loo Choo, Feb. 3
1S54:s
We left Hong Kong on the l4th ult., in CON-
pany with the Powhatan, Mississippi Southamp-
ton and Lexington; the Macedonian, Nabdalia and
Supply having preceded US On arrival here we
found them all safe. We shortly after Join
ed by the Southampton and Lexington. they hav-
ing been towed most OF the way These three
store-ships brought each abou. four hundred tons
of coal with supplies and provisions and stores, SO
that we now have six months supplies with us.
which will enable TO remain long enough on
the coast OF Japan to give fair test 10 the expert
ment we have undertak ken of bringing the author
tiles Of the country into some sort OF intercourse
with us.
With the people of this island we are getting
along swimmingly; every day brings about some
new concession, which six months ago would not
have been thought Of n
To-day we visited the Regent at the Royai
Palace at the city OF Shu about three miles from
Napa. accompanied by an escort OF two compa-
MES of marines. three bands and about forty Off
cers-as by this sort OF show the people of these
countries are more readily influenced We first
visited the Regent at the Palace. and from thence
went to the City Hall. where good entertain
n:ent was served to the whole party. On leaving,
the Commodore invited the Regent and authorl-
ties to an entertainment on board the llag ship to
come oil on our return from Japan. They have
already dined with him, but we intend on return
ing to give them a sort of dramatic show TO be
cotton up by the crew.
You cannot, or rather it would be difficult for
you. to imagine the beauties OF this island with
respect to the charming scenery and its marvel
lous perfection of cultivation: its ancient bridges
paved roads canals, dilapidated works OF defence.
6c. There are five palaces in ihe city the one
we visited is of very great extent. probably COW
erins a space of three acres. with massive walls
quite equal 10 many of the old castles of Europe
The island contains a population of one hun
dred and fifty or two hundred thousand souls aud
we have as much control OF it and the authorities
ana people as ii IT were a conquered country: and
what Is singular, not uniriendly act or an in-
stance of coercion has occurred in bringing these
things about. We have explored the whole in
error o the island. and surveyed the euire coast
The people wherever our parties 90. attend upon
them and supply them with lodgings aud provls-
ions. At first they would receive no compensa-
ton, but the Commodore insisted that nothing
should be accepted unless it was paid for and
there is now little difficulty in that way.
You are aware that it is an Eastern practice to
exchange presents all occasions of public visits
These must be given and received. or there can be
no intercourse. or rather no interchange of visits
day or two ago, and to-day every officer received
a tritng present from the Regent which had TO
be received or the whole harmony of the visit
would have been destroyed. These presents iiom
the Lno Chooans are oi small value such as fans.
tobacco, pipes, &c. Our presents TO them have
been more substantial. the State Department hav-
ing provided very literally in this respect.
Hitherto our whaling ships have never dared TO
enter the ports of this slant;-r6 they can do so
with perfect safety. and be furnished with supplies
at fair prices.
As an evidence OF the confidence we have in their
peaceful intentions we snail leave party on the
island in charge oia depot of coal established here
this very dav. Tie Regent has promised to take
good care of them during our absence.
The island has been ruled over for nearly a
thousand years by hne of kings. The present
heir TO the throne being minor, thirteen years
olo,) the kingdom is governed by a Regent who
has to assist him three counselors Ii is de-
pendency of Japan. and sends annually to that
empire a large amount in taxes.
We sail in three days for Jeddo Bay the Ma
cedonan. Vandalia, Southampton and Lexington
having already gone. The Supply has Just dis
charged her coal into the three steamers, and will
sail IN day or two for Shanghai for another car
60. TO Join us at Jeddo. We could not have man
aged at all without the assistance of the storeshps;
not vessel could be chartered in China for trans
porting coal. and our whole cruise this spring
would have been defeated had it not been for their
services