New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-14
VISIT OF CAPT. ADAMS TO JAPAN.

The substantial character of the success
achieved by the United States Expedition to
Japan has been most thoroughly confirmed and
illustrated by the recent visit made to Simods
by Commando H. A Adams, bearing the tresty
concluded betw cen Commodore Perry aud the
Council of japanese PrinceP, with its ratification
by the Senate of the United States. All the
final formslities have been complied with, and
Japan is now bound to us by bonds Of amity aud
commercial intercourse, which need only to be
properly fostered, to develop into relations Of
still more intimate and recprocally advanta
eeous character. Japan has at last received u
as her equal, acknowledging our power sal
cheeIfully yielding the respect which its dignity
exacts; not attempting to impose upon US the
virtual ysssalsge to which Holland has submit
ted, nor putting us Off with the barren suece"
with which the recent English Expedition,
though following in our wake and armed with
the results Of our experience, was forced to DO
satisfied. This satisia tory consummasion 10
mainly owing to the discreet and energetic
course adopted by Commodore Perry, at tho
very commencement of his negotiations. Capt
Adams in his recent visit pursued the same
policy, and with similar results. His exper.
ences were in the highest degree interesting
and deserve a fuller notice than the brief mef
tion of them in the paragraph which announces
his return. We are in possession OF the prinei
pal facts, which we hasten to lay before our
readers
. Capt. Adams proceeded to China by the over
land route, via Southampton and Alexsndra.
On arriving at Hong Kong, the steamer Pow
hatan was appointed to convey him to Smoda'
where he arrived on the 26th Of January last
lie Immediately forwarded communication 70
the Prime Minister at Yedo, stating the objeci
of his visit. Some difficulties were thereaPoa
raised by the Imperial Council: first That ac'
cordDg to the Japanese version of the treaty
notifications were not to be exchanged until alter
Ia months had elapsed; and. secondly, That tho
Emperor could not affix his signature to the raF
fled treaty, as it was contrary to japanese Gus
tom for him to sign any document whatever
The Supreme Council, they stated, would sign
in his stead. These pretexts occasioned some
delay, especially as all questions were sent 10
Yedo for decision; bat by referring constantly
to the words Of the treaty, and insisting on tis
fulfllment of its stipulations with that indeIi
bility which Commodore Perry had previously
exercised, they finally yielded every point with
Q gooi grace.
! Five Commissioners we're appointed TO meet
Capt. Adams-two Of whom were lido Tsu-siu'
no-Kami and Isawa Memasaka nO-Kami-whs
both formed part Of the Commission which coz
cluded the treaty with Commodore Perry
Yokohama, on the Bay of Yedo, in April lsSi.
The latter is at present Governor Of SimodA
On the 2lst of February, Capt. Adams met tho
Commissioners in temple which had been pre-
pared for the occasion. After d careful cou'
psrisOn of the ratified copies with the originA
treaty, and their correctness being satlsIAc
torily tested, the exchange was made with ~
due formalty-the Powhatan firing salute |"
seventeen guns. The ratified treaty bears I'D
signature of the Emperor-the first instance"
which the Emperor Of japan has slgnea
treaty with foreign power-and OF the 50
members of the Imperial Council. The Con
missioners at the same time furnished osP-
Adams with document which they said vi"
ratified copy Of articles supplementary 70 y.
Treaty of Yokohama, requesting him to ds".s.
it to the President and ask him to send ous wv
American ratification as soon as it was m'1s
This document, Capt. Adams afterward s'e,.
tanned, was nothing more than the port-resu
tions established by Commodore Perry 81 o.
da. The japanese officials were all eA''e-I
courteous and friendly, and the people 'es% nv.
disposed to be social and communicative.
mi.tru.t and jealousy which they exhibited "