Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-11-03
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

brought with him from California, on his last
journey hither the Japansse youth, Heso' VINO
has for some years past attracted no little OF
the attention of persons Of education and en-
larged sympathies in that-quartsr. The truth
is, there. lin California, the growing Importance
of our commercial intercourse with Japan is
more generally comprehended than on the At
lantic side. whence nearly all intercourse with
that quarter of the world must be through our
Pacific coast settlements and commercial estab-
lishments. The fact that young Heco, being
remarkably wen educated for his age in stndes
such are taught youth in his own land. ra-
pidiy became very proficient in reading, writing
and eonyersing in the English language and
indeed thoroughly Americanized, induced the
general belief, among those knowing him in
San Francisco, that he may in time prove of
great value to this Governments future in con-
nection with Japan. Hence the evident public
interest in him there.
As we share in the belief that through his
services the way may be opened for tho prompt
realization of much of the commercial promise
of Commodore Pcrry's treaty, we trust that the
Government here will employ him in some way,
that he may keep up his knowledge of his ma
tive land, its language, DC. 1t may be that in
year, a month, or a week, a translator Of the
japanese will be indispensable to the State De
partment; or that the services Of an American
in feeling and associations tho can obtain ac-
cess to persons and things in Japan, such as
might not be within the reach ofany foreigner,
will be Of great Importance to the future inter
ests OF the American commercial world in that
quarter.
But we will detain the reader no longer from
the articles concerning this interesting youth,
which will be found below--the first being a
letter from former Collector of the Port of
San Francisco Beverly Saunders, Esq, to Sen
ator Gwin, and the latter an editorial from
San Francisco journal:
SAN Francesca, Sept. 3, 1857.
Hon. Um. VI. Grin, u. ). Senator:
DEAR SIR: Having this day placed under your
protection Joseph 1Ieco, a Japanese boy, think
I know OF his history
1t seems that his father is a wealthy land pro-
prirtor, residing about thirty English miles from
Osaka, seaport in Japan, in which city resided
his brother engaged In commerce The elder
Heco sent his on to Osaka to learn commerce and
navi cation with bis uncle
In the autumn Of 1s5O, Joseph was sent in one
OF his uncles junks on voyage TO Jedo with
cargo of sGki and other articles, the boy being
placed under the protection of the captain.
The junk arrived safely at edo, discha ged, and
took in a cargo of beans, rice, wheat, aud salt
fish, and sailed for Osaka riG Worayawa. After
leaving the latter place late in the 10th mo ,n
(October,l thu junk was oyertaken by violent
gale and blown out to sea.
After remaining fifty days al the mercy of the
waves, the Jnnk being disab led and unmanaoe-
able, the wreck WAS fallen in with by the Ameri-
can barque Auckland, Capt. Jennings, who took
off the crew, consisting of seventeen persons and
brought them To San Francisco, arriving here in
February, ISL. The Collector Of the Port placed
all these persons on board the revenue cutter and
wrote TO the Government at Washington for in
structiOns as TO their disposition. The Govern
ment, with the laudable desire TO set an example
of humanity, and cultivate good neigh DO hood
with Japan, sent the sioop-of-war ST. Marys 10
take these shipwrecked persons to their own
country. They were accordingly embark ed on
board this vessel in the Spring of 1852 and smiled
for Hong Kong, where the Japanese sailors were
transferred TO the q. y steamer Susuuehanna
Why they Were not taken to Japan ia the St
Mays or the steamer Susquehanna have never
Iedrned but they we're not and all got ad II and
scattered In all directions. Heco returned to CAL
ifornia in the Il fish barque Sarah Hooper in
tie autumn of l-52.
Shortly afterwards, and while was Collector
Of the Port, took Heeo under my protection
and soon discovered that he was much superior
in general intelligence TO his race generally aud
determined to educate him: thinking he might
some day be very useful, both to his own country
and to mine.
Accordingly, in 1853, when ] went TO Eurebr.
placed him at school in Baltimore where ne
remained until my return to San Francisco and
after that l entered him at school in the cily
where he continued until circumstances placed
u out Of my power to continue him at school any
longer
then procured him situation in the counting
no 81 OF The highly resp' ctable house Of Macon d.
rdy n Co, of this city, where he has remained
until to-day. He is placed under vour ID. rejection
In the hope that you will advance his interests in
Washington, and pc nit HIM to return to his nj.
tive country in accordance with his ardent wish.
though he desires 1" become well acquainted
with the theory and forms OF our Government
anC 10 acquire Il knowledge of some of the sci
enres and the great improvements of civil zIii,n
During his Residence in Baltimore he embra I'd
ChIlStlanIty-Eence his name Joseph, which vas
given him when he was baptsed. He j. the
most conscientious aud true hearted boy ever
knew, being entirely free from amy ice Whatever.
and Intensely loyal and flank in his disposition
lie eft his father and two brothers living g,I,i
he left Japan in 1850, to whom he is very anxious
to communicate. and hope it will BE- IN your
po"e! 10 ard lin in doing 50. lie still whites
and s7eakS his own language; and have urged
him ever since knew him TO practice and ID, no
means to lose, his language, which nigh some
day be useful.
Comm nding him to your good protection and
kind offices, have the honor to lbe, with high
consideration, your obedient servant,
BEVERLY c. SANDER
r. 81 should not forget to mention that Heco
Is very DESTROYS of becom ~ an Amer caa citizen
! applied to Judge Hoffman, who replied that as
IL WAS 4 minor IL would he time enough when
he arrived at mans estate. He will be twenty i'm
about year, think. BIC. y.
An ANHRIcANlzED JAPANESE Amongst others
leaving for the East the steamer to-day is JOS
Heco, who goes Oh to Washington as private Sec
retary to Senator Gwin. This young man, now
about ID years of age is of the party of II ia
panese, picked up at sea by the bark Auc kldnd
and brought to this port in 1850. This party. it
may be Tecollected, were found in one of their
native Junks, having suffered shipwreck, and
subsequently been drifted ont over Il thousand
miles to SEA. They have all been returned to
their bative land but three. WHO are now in this
city; one III the employ of Wells, Fargo & Co;
second ia the service OF d party unknown to us,
and the third, as We have said, engaged 10 30
with DR.. Gwin 10 the National capital. where
his superior intelligence, good address aud pei
feet familiarity with our and his own NATIVE Ian
guage, will no doubt secure him employment in
the seIyice OF the Government either Interpret
En- or an some other public capacity. This youth,
owing To his talents and excellent character wa,
taken, shortly after his arrival ga the country BIZ
Col saunders, then Collector OF the port and
properly protected and educated. He was aIIrr-
wards indicted Into commercial life in the house
OF hacOndTay Co. About the time our e. oyern-
Hent Was opening negotiations for establishing