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

Office of Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and the
Imperial Inspector sitting on platform covered
with red cloth, before table with similar cover
Opposite to this were a long table and q kind OF
couch or bench also covered with red CLOTH intended
for Captain Fabus and his officers, materials for
smoking and number of boxes of sweetmeats being
placed before them. Here Captain Fabius and his
companions took their seats according TO their rank
Between the table Of the Governor and that of the
Dutch officers another was placed, at which Ja-
panese official took his seat.
Holland and the Emperor Of Japan and
other complimentary expressions having
been interchangcd, the Dutch officers were
invited to partake of the sweetmeats and to smoke
and the conversation then turned politics, trade
&c, the official sitting between the two tables act
ing as interpreter and displaying much better
knowledge Of Dutch than Capt. Fabus had found in
any of the regular interpreters.
The COMMISSIONER for Foreign Affairs put many
questions regarding finance, taxation, import and
export duties, entrepots, &c. which Capt Fabius an
swered to the best of his ability, stating ut the
time that the Dutch Commissioner has very recently
sent long letter to Jeddo on these points His Elk
cellency declared that the permitting trade and the
formation Of commercial treaties were matters Of
sessed so little fitted for the European or American
market; that in Japan those articles which, leaving
| out Of view the lacquer ware, were most suitable
| for the foreign trade were too dear, on account
of the high price of labor, and that should the ia
panese government allow great quantity of copper
or the precious metals to be exported, the mines
would soon be exhausted and the country reduced
| to poverty, as was the case formerly with South
| America. Captain Fahius observed that there was
| not much chance the mines would soon become ex-
| hausted, but in his opinion there was want in
Japan of skilled persons to work them with adyan-
| tage. sOn this account the Dutch government had
| sent mining engineer to Nagasaki, who would be
ready, whenever the Emperor desired, to take the
mines in hand and instruct the people how TO work
| them to the greatest advantage. The Commissioner
highly approved OF this and thought the services Of
| the engineer would be soon availed of.
The Commissioner then asked Captain Fa-
bus why Europeans and Americans were
always anxious to procure Japan copper, and If
it was better than that of other countries In reply
| Captain Fabus said that Japan copper similar
TO that OF other piaces-of England for instance.
but that as with the exception of lacquer and
porcelain, Japan at present possessed few other
articles suitable for wholesale export trade copper
was sought as the best return; that each country
possessing its own natural productions and requiring
those of Others, the exchange or barterng of them
constitutes trade; that the Japanese popu
| aton, encouraged thereto by the government, shall
apply themselves to produce otner articles of export
such as wax, camphor, hemp &c., on large scale,
and prepare their tobacco in a manner more suited
| to other nations, these articles will certainly
become returns; but that at present they are
| in general less fitted for that purpose, on ac
count of the high prices required for them and that
if Japan wishes to purchase the productions of other
countries at cheap rate it must endeavor to pro-
vide articles of trade which will not leave loss to
the European or American merchants; that the lac
quer ware and porcelain more articles Of Gu
riosity than fitted for wholesale commerce. All
appeared to understand these remarks and give their
assent to them
The Commissioner for Foreign Affairs then asked
if there were other countries besides Holland, Eng
land, Russia, America and perhaps also France,
which desired to trade with Japan, which
Captain Fabius answered in the ailrma-
tive, remarkng that commerce did not retro
grade, that industry and the spirit of enter
prise was increasing over all the world, and had at
tanned great height, and knew no bounds or limit;
that his late Majesty William H. fOrpspeinp this
and having in view the war Of England against
China, had then advised Japan like true friend;
and that his present Majesty William ILL.,, adopting
the policy of his late father and believing that the
rejection of this advice would some time other in
voye Japan in great difficulties, and desiring for
Holland no exclusive advantages over other nations,
but the contrary and being sincerely anxious to pro-
mote the welfare of Japan, still advised that the sys
tenn which had prevailed for more than two centu-
ries should be abandoned for more liberal one; that
if Japan voluntarily adopted this course it would be
in position to direct the course Of affairs and would
thereby be saved from great sacrifices; but II the ia
panese government remained obstinate, 1t would soon
be forced to make much greater concessions than
at present required Of It, The business Of these
marks appeared TO be felt by all the Japanese pre-
sent.
Captain Fabius was then asked what he thought
of Simoda and replied that he considered 1t quite
fitted for trade, the bay was very unsafe and
not at all suitable for merchant ships and he advised
the Japanese government now that the anchorage
at Simoda had been completely destroyed by earth
wished for another port. He then pointed out the
bay Of Hakodate, and said that in his opinion this
fine and safe harbor would become OF great import
ance through its vicinity to the rapidly advancing
eastern Russia, now in possession Of the Amoor
river which ran through such large part
Of that country, and in connection with
which Hakodate would become the emporium for
Asiatic Russia for all the productions Of India and
America, such as coffee sugar, &c.
The conversation finally turned upon the subject
Of Consuls, and both Governors inquired what the
position Of the American Consul was and how he
should be treated, seeing that the treaty with Ame
RIGA contained nothing about Conslls. Captain
Fabius answered that Consul General, such ~ the
American one stationed at Simoda, was always q
high unctionary and man OF rank. who represent.
ed his government and must protect the interests Of
those Americans who came TO Japan, and see TO
the proper Observance OF the treaty; he must,
therefore, be treated with distinction suita-
BILE to his rank, and being placed by his
government in communication with that Of
Japan at Simoda he must conform TO the manners
and usages which were not contrary TO his honor
and religion, and that, on the other hand, he had
right to enjoy such privileges were not nconsis
tent with the interests Of Japan or the japanese
population. Yes, said the Governor but he wishes
to pay for what he requires in money, and not
through the medium Of japanese officers in dollars,
and we say that, according 20 the treaty, he must
pay in dollars; and as no Japanese, WHO'S not spc
cially authorized, can receive dollars, he must pur
chase everything he requires through the officers APP
pointed for the purpose. Captain Fabius pointed
out the hardship of requiring the Consul when
ever he wished 10 procure a fowl or an egg, 20
buy il through the Intervention OF a japanese Of
fcer, and remarked that far he knew the
American treaty the provision about the payment in
dollars only applied to persons visiting Japan tenn
porarily, such as seamen. and not to those like the
American Consul General who was established at
Simoda, who ought TO have the right Of purchasing
what he required without the interference of ia
panese official. A long discussion ensued this
point, and the reasonableness Of Capt. Fabus' OBJ
servations was at last agreed TO.
The japanese officials then adverted 10 what had
been said by Capt. Fabus regarding usages incon-
sstent with the honor or religion OF others, and
asked what he meant by this. He took the oppor-
tunity in answering TO advert 10 the trampling on
the cross-as being japanese usage offensive 10
every Christian nationals showing a hostile
disposition on a subject which they cher
ished the most sacred feelings, and In which
they not only mutually accorded freedom
of Morshin hut In which thera was an established