New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-14


u,h;cb the Commissioners returned to Captain
Adams stating that one Of the Cbaplains con-
noc.ed with the Squadron (the name Of whom
The, mentioned) had distributed them among the
people previous 10 his departure. They declared
that this Act-which was in utter disregard OF
the declaration contained in the Presidents let
Ter and Of the entire policy Of the Expedition
was contrary to japanese law, and very wrong
On our part They requested Capt Adams 70
take the books back with him, when ne con-
sented to do. 1t lie thus that the indlscreet zeal
of pIoselytsm defeats its own ends
The account of the earthquake at Simoda,
xhicb occurred on the 23d of last December,
has already been published. wave Eve fathoms
above the usual sea. level swept over the town
and receded, FIVE or six times in succession,
covering the shores Of the bay with the wreck
Of boats, iunks and buildings. Only sixteen
houses were left standing in the whole place.
The entire coast Of japan seems to have suffered
By the calamity. Yedo itself was injured, and
the great city of Osacca almost entirely destroy
ed. The Russian frigate Diana, Admiral Pontia-
tin, which was lying in the harbOr with three
anchors down, was whirled around like top,
After the earthquake had subsidized she was found
TO be much injured and leaked badly. All her
guns were landed, and there being no suitable
place TO heave her down 10 Simoda the Admiral
sent TO look for more sheltered harbor He
found one called Hide, situated at the head OF
the bay of Idzu, about go miles from Simoda.
He represented this as an excellent harbor, re-
sembIing that of Hakodad bat smaller and
completely Iand-locked. While taking the
frcste tbither a gale came on and she fOundered
the officers and men saving their lives with diff
Guilty They were still at Hido, with no means
of getting away Capt. McCluney Of the Pow
hstsn supplied them with what clothing and
provisions he could spare.
Admiral Pontiatn concluded treaty with the
japanese Commissioners during the stay oil the
Powhatan at Simoda. He stated that 1t was
precisely similar to that concluded by Commo-
dore Perry, except that Nagasaki was named as
place of intercourse, in lieu of Napa-Kiang, in
Loo Cloo, which is open to American vessels.
The Admiral had very valuable presents for the
Emperor of Japan, such as mirrors, carpets,
glass. porcelain, &c, many of which were
broken or destroyed when the frigate was lost.
BY the terms of our treaty, we are entitled to
trade at any port which may hereafter be opened
TO the vessels Of other nations; consequently the
negotiations of Admiral Pontiatin open the port
of Nagasaki to American vessels The treaty
concluded by the commander of the English
squadron last year merely names HakOdadi and
Simoda as points where Eoglish vessels may
touch for shelter and supplies, without the
privilege of trading with the japanese.
The bottom of the harbor of SimOda appeared
to have been entirely changed by the action of
the earthquake: there was no longer any good
holding ground. The POwhatan dragged with
three anchors abead-the wind blowing across
the harbor, and no sea She was obliged to get
up steam in hurry, to keep from drifting on
the rocks. During her stay several additional
shocks were felt, some of them qaite heavy.
The inhabitants of Simoda were very busily en-
gagged in rebuilding the town As the shops had
all been destroyed, bazaar was opened 10 IA
temple, which had been repaired for the pur-
more. and was soon filled with a variety OF
beautiful articles brought from the interior
towns. and from Yedo. The American officers
were importuned to buy, and many of them
however ina much as they still insisted On taking
American dollars at the same valuation as their
;tehibo (l6O0 CASH or only one-third of its
weight in their own silver COIN
The Commissioners made many inquiries after
Commodore Perry, to whom they sent messages
of friendship and remembrance. They stated
that his name would henceforth be mentioned
forever in the history of Japan. They also stated
that the circular railroad and locomotive had
been put up in YedO, and that the Japanese
could now manage them very we'll, the loco
motive making its trips every day. They had
also the life boat in the water, with special
crew detailed for her. The magnetic telegraph,
however. was rather too difficult for them, ana
they had not succeeded in getting IT to work
properly During the visit of Commodore Per-
rvs squadron they took measurements OF the
storeship Southampton, aud they now informed
Cant Adams that they had a vessel of the same
model and dimensions nearly ready for launch
inc. The old Japanese law, restricting the size
and model of their junks, has recently been ao-
rogated, and the Government is now ambitious
TO possess a naval squadron simi ar to ours.
From this fact il will be seen how rapid is the
growth ofnew ideas in this secluded nation, and
what vast changes must necessarily result from
their further intercourse with Amerlcans'
The Powhatan left Simoda on the 22d oil cd
rpary. and after very bosterous passage OF nine
DAYS arrived at the mouth Of the lang-tse-h'ane
whence she proceeded to Shanghai. Capt. Adj
an. ,oot rassage i'm the Vandalla to Hong Kong