Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-07-13
Innnn DiDIo,nncY.


The ratification Of treaty, the terms Of
which have been agreed upon between the
Governments Of civilized nations, is a mere
y formal affair, and takes no time and
gives no trouble in the doing. Not SO how
ever with our new friends, the Japanese, as
We learn from Captain H. H. Adams. IT, 8.
N, Who has Just returned from bis voy-
age to procure the ratification Of our lresty
with that nation. Capt Adams did not 60
to Jeddo, but landed at Simoda, one Of the
ports reserved for American vessels BY the
terms Of the treaty Ehich he bore With him.
He arrived on the FIRST Of FEBRUARY last,
and Immediately wrote to the Governor
stating the objec: Of bis visit. An answer
arrived in due time, expressing surprise at
the speedy return of the treaty and call
ing attention to clause which provided
that ratification SD ould not be required uA-
til "after eighteen months, ," from the date Of
agreement as to its terms. But in the
American copy of the treaty the phrase
was plainly ".oithin eighteen months . al
though, as il appears on examination, in the
japanese copy Is was as plainly "o5ler eigh-
teen months" This strange discrepancy
made some trouble, as the Japanese suspec-
ted Yankee trick, and being themselves
Yankees in spirit. and therefore, according
to the Anti American folk, Yankees IN fact
they were marvelously fearful Of being
"taken in" But this difficulty was soon ar
ranged, only, however to be followed BY
others. t asi
1t was objected by the Goyornor Isaws
Memi Sski Nokami Gall high officers have
this title, Nokami) that no ratification was
needed, and. indeed, that ratification would
be but the entering into q new agreement
This may have been because the japanese
have never before made treaty-With the
Dutch they have bad merely agrsement--
or because they are in the habit of abiding
BY their pledes when once given. without
formal confirmation, or il may have been
a little diplomatic fetch oG the part Of Isa-
wa Memi Laki Nokami. The point was
discussed and explained on the part Of Capt
aiu Adams, and a. length Eve Commission
ers appeared to rstify the treaty on the
part Of the japanese Government. They
reioiced in the names Of Maismoto Dxulohe-
il, Nakomi, lido ToWseman Nskami, Hoka-
kien Itsilo. and SOer oega NoEami. the
fifth being the Governor himself When
sittings were 6rst opened they made their
6rst point in high dudgeon because the
American Commissioner in asking for the
signature of the Emperor, called him KubO.
This they refused to recognize as his title.
Saying that It was a vulgar slang word
and that the Emperor was called 1as KoeR
by japanese gentlemen. When, however.
the courteous strangers asked for the sigma
ture of the 7as Kosn, all the Nokonais re-
Piled and objected that his great lordsbip
could not sign the treaty; it was out Of all
prscedment; il would add no value to the
treaty; that the Tds Koen bad really no
power in the japanese government which
was vested in a cabinet council of six. chosen
by hetwenty seven grandees oftbe Empire
from their own number: and that IN this
council was vested all the power to make
and ratify treaties.
TO this Capt. Adams replied BY pointing
out the provisiOs in the treaty, that il should
Uc SlSucu Dy tuO IcSiueul Ol luo OHlIcO
States and the Emperor Of Japan, and show
ing the Presidents signature; and as the
instrument also bore the sign manual Of
Mr.. Secretary Marcy, the Captain suggests
that to balance this the signatures Of the
members of the Council Of Six should also
appear with that of their Emperor; adding
quietly shat il these we're not promptly
forthcoming he should take bis ship to Jed
do. On this the point yielded handsomely,
the treaty was sent to Jeddo instead Of the
ship, and soon returned with the signature
of the the Tae Koen and his Grand Coun-
Gil of Six, the name of the former being IN
readibls and unutterable BY Anglo-Ssxon
organs.
Thus was concluded this frss successful
effort to bring this strange people within
the pale of the family Of nations. The
world at large, no less than our own coun-
try, owe much to the sagacity and 6rmnesS
of those who have accomplished SO unhoped
for and SO desirable an end Coar. & Eng.
The Port Hope (Canada) Guide Of the
9th inst. says that fearful and deeply laid