The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-28


the Steam rrigatc Mcdusa to InI<o-
and Simoda-The American Consul
rnl at Japan, Sc, Sc.
From the Singapore Free Press, Oct q.
butch papers contain an account OF q VISIT
the harbors of Hakodate and Simoda, IN ia
Captain Fabius, in the screw corvette Medu-
)eptember and October, 1856, OF which we
We some PARTICULARS
is arrival at Hakodate, Captain Fabius was
by an official and Dutch interpreter, who
him the harbor regulations In English; he
them. observing that be did not wish to re-
nv official document from the Japanese in
glsh language, seeing that there was
Interpreters college established in Japan, and
ested that the regulations should be furnished
In Dutch.
in Fabius then requested the interpreter to
letter to the Governor, in which he ex-
his wish toipay his respects to his Excellency,
ked when it would be convenient to re-
i'm. Captain Fabius desired the interpreter
ranslate the letter first, but to take it at
the Governor, and give him verbal inter-
n of it; he at first objected to this, saying it
&trary to custom, but Captain Fabius insisting
he interpreter at last agreed to comply with
les. In consequence of this letter, the Deputy
r and a number of secretaries and other fol-
soon came on board, with the Governors
nents, and to say that his Excellency would
Captain Fabius and four of his officers at the
nent house on the following morning. They
|bught a copy of the harbor regulations in
e following morning Capt. Fabius and his
REPAIRED to the Governors abode, where they
ceived with much ceremony by the Governor
putty Governor, surrounded by a great number
hls Having taken their seats opposite the
pr, they were offered pipes, tea and sweet
Sliments and enquiries as to their state OF
having been interchanged, the conversation
discursive, and during the intervals of ia
breakfast, which was served up, turned upon
, commerce, Russia, the Amoor river, free
kricted trade and the opening of the Japanese
Ito all nations in friendship with it. His Ex-
appeared to be of opinion that this opening
Ike place and that it would be impossible to
.n the present system of exclusion much
| His Excellency having promised to visit
lusa next day, Captain Fabius mentioned his
N Of saluting him, which the Governor re,
might not be done, stating he was afraid
es would be frightened ont of the bay by the
b the great loss of the population, who chiefly
I'd on the fishery.
the audience was ended Captain Fabius and
ers strolled through the town and environs,
. the temples and shops, and entering some of
hes, asking for lights for their segars, for
kc., and were everywhere received with the
J civility.
date is small place, with about 5000 in
It's, and lying in beautiful and safe bay. At
4 there is little trade, but as soon as the COM
II Japan is free Hakodate will speedily rise
river Amoor. II will then become an en-
| for coffee and other colonial products re-
by Russia, and it will be very advantageous
land and her East India possessions to keep
view and to endeavor to establish depot
lie following day the Governor paid a visit to
usa and remained five hours on board, ex-
the whole ship and seeing the crew go
some exercises.
Fabus says that amongst the things which
Bcited his surprise, was the progress which
rpreters at Hakodate had already made in
he the English language, mixing with their
Fectiye Dutch number of English words.
rade of Hakodate with foreigners is at pre-
|very trifling Importance. The supercago of
'erican schooner has twice succeeded in bar
some muskets, spyglasses and chronometers
'uerware, porcelain and soy. Captain Fabius
bne of these schooners, the General Pierce,
hg TO a Dutch firm at Hongkong, at anchor
lay of Hakodatc, trading under the American
Ihe supercargo said that he had come from
! where he had sold 5000 muskets to the
ke government for fourteen dollars each, and
light lacquerwork, earthenware and soy, but
been unable to procure gold, silver or copper.
! disposed of the rest of his cargo, consist
900 muskets, two chronometers and six tele-
lat Hakodate in the same manner, to the
he government, receiving lacker-work porce-
b soy. Camphor and hemp had been offered
but ut such enormous prices that he could
y them. In other respects he was well con-
In his barter trade, and praised highly the
Int which he and the crew of his vessel had
b both mt Simoda and Hakodate. He stated
|moda had no safe anchorage for vessels OF
lusas size, and could never therefore become
of trade.
kland Of Jesse, on which Hakodate Is stu
seen in the vicinity Of the town, and this
Japan is said TO abound in mines of copper
Yer, hut they have not yet been worked.
Fabius saw some specimens OF unusually
|coal, which are found here, but the
br had not yet received authority
kddo TO work the mines or 10 give the coalsto
hrs. During stay Of four days the officers
lowed to wander freely about In the town and
khborhood with their fowling pieces, without
Ehtest molestation. II they wished TO buy
kg they entered shop, settled the price,
be name OF the purchaser on the article, aud
Then taken TO the custom house, where posses
Japanese official.
|acauer work which was seen ut Hakodatc, is
II brought from Nagasaki, and Is usually that
liz not bought by the Dutch factory there;
|roupht To Hokadate the price Ii doubled.
he nth the Mednsa left Hakodate and con-
her voyage along the east coast Of Niphon TO
|, but this voyage was found ofa very difficult
A nearly unknown coast, strong currents,
|torms, two hurricanes, and defective charts
he voyage tedious and harassing.
he 10th September. having arrived at Simoda,
h Fabius found that the last hurricane which
encountered three days before, not very far
he rocky shore was strewed with the wrecks Of
hnd the houses were all destroyed. These
hid not inspire much confidence and induced
fabius 10 resolve on making his stay as short
bile and 10 keep his steam up. There appear.
\ no harbor regulations and few or none OF
edious formalities which prevail elsewhere in
Can't. Fabius sent two letters TO the Co
one requesting an audience and the other
might be supplied with water and coal as
as possible.
Ion az the Medusa anchored, Captain Fabius
h visit from Mr.. Towsend Harris, the Ame-
bnsul- General, who, q month previously, had
at Simoda, accompanied by his secretary
Sp Dutchman, called Heuskens,) and seven
servants. Mr. Harris said that he
| in temple which had been given up to him;
besides himself and his secretary
WINS not q single European or Ameri-
Simoda; that there was little or no
that the bay, or no called harbor,
Ida, no longer contained any safe anchorage
h. the ground having been completely torn
hrth and sea quakes and hurricanes; that he
slant difficulties with the Governor, and that
be merest trifes that he was refused permits
ise Japanese money, and he was therefore
always TO pay dollars at most unfavorable
he, and for the purchase Of q single egg the
Of japanese officer was necessary, as no
was permitted 10 receive dollars; 10 that.