The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-12-29
THE DAILY DISPATCH,


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Monday Morning, December 10, 1856.
INTERESTING FROM JAPAS-BreukinS into fb.
Empire-A letter to the N. Y. Times, rives An in.
teresting account of the landing and reception OF
the first American Consul in Japan. The letter
is dated from the U, s. frigate San Jacinto. Com.
modore Armstrong, which carried Consul Harris
to Simoda. 1t says:
and suit, accompanied by Mr. Harris. waited on
the Hovernor, when an interesting conversation
took place, interesting because it illustrates the
feeiings OF the Japanese Government on the sub
1ec. on INTERCOURSE with foreigners. After the
nsuai compliments, the Governor wished TO
know- ~
Why the United States Government had sent
Mr harris to Japan, and what his functions werel
Mr Harris-"I am sent by my Government TO act
as Consul General for the same in the Empire Of
Japan MY duties are to look after the rights OF
those American citizens who may have CONNER
cia! dealings with this country protect and care
tor the Interests of American seamen in this part
OF the world, and to that there ia no nfraction
OF the laws Of Japan by the above, and to act In
short in the capacity of Magistrate or Governor.
do not know the secrets of my Government and
want direct, immediate reception. or a dismissal
Governor" The Government of Japan thought it
could take care of shpwrecked seamen and ad.
minister justice He could not see the necessity of
Consul. did NOT know that the United States
was justified in sending one, and wished to know
why one had not been sent to Hakodade also -
Had you not better return with the Commodore r.
Mr.. HI came out for both tlaces, and, should
circumstances require it, would go there l shall
not return with the Commodore" Gov-"But
the distance TO Hakodadel is very great, ss are
also the obstacles to your getting there" Mr..
H" 1t matters not what the distance or difficul
ties are, should go" Gov.-fTo Commodore
Armstrong; -" What are your instructions 10 this
matter :" Com: -" Ny orders are to see Mr.. Hsr.
ris here and land him. That is one part Of my du.
ty" Gov Had yea orders to use force II the
Japanese Government did not choose to receive
Mr.. Harris?" CON-" My orders were to see
Mr.. Harris here and land him That Is part of my
duty" CRather equivocal) Gov" Where are
yon going after you leave Simoda, and when do
you leave 4" Com-" shall go to shanghae, and
shall leave when have landed Mr.. Harris"
Here the conversation ended, and the party fell
to eating and drinking, by invitation OF the Gov
ernor.
On the 81 of September, Mr. Harris left us for
good, on which occasion we manned the rigging
and cheered the ship" The Japanese Government
have located him in a small fishing village called
Kakizaki, about three fourths of mile from 81
moda. This, say they, is temporary arrange.
ment. They have fitted up Buddhist Temple for
his abode, and he is comfortably fixed, no doubt,
as tar as quarters are concerned The difficulty
with him will be to get enough TO eat
To day, at SIP p. M, the American Consular
flag was unfurled for the first time in the Mystical
Empire of Japan. This was an event of historic
Importance, one of which we may be proud as a
nation
Another letter dated Oct 4, says:
I am able to give you additional news from ia
pap which have learned since our arrival at this
port. On the 10th of last month, ii M steamer
Hornet arrived here from Nagasaki, for which
port she sailed on the 9th inst, with the London
July mail She there found the English Admiral,
with the squadron snugly at anchor in the inner
harbor OFF the city, where they had been for some
days-a favor not accorded to any nation for near
two hundred years, except the Dutch and Chi
nese. l said accorded but it was done in this
way The chain which the Japanese keep stretch
ed across the entrance to the inner harbor, not
having been let down. the Barracouta-s steamer,
having the Iigue, one of II. N. ships in tow-ran
against it at full speed, and broke it, much to the
surprise of the japanese
After anchoring the Tigue. she went after the
only remaining ship of the squadron, and brought
her abreast of the town. The Admirals mild and
firm bearing did wonders with the Japanese
They seeing what kind of man they had to deal
with, conceded everything the Admiral asked for
his officers landing and roaming at will where
they pleased. They found the Government off.
cias most attentive and civil, and their wants were
supplied without the slightest ditieulty-rather q
contrast to last years visit, when there were thir
teen ships of war, and they were not permitted to
land. think we can safely say that the great
scarecrow, Japanese exclusiveness," is no more.
The Dutch Government has recently sent out q
present to the Japanese Government, in the shape
of paddle.wheel steamer.