The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-11-14
JAPAN--NEW COMMERCIAL TREATIES WlTk
THE UNITED STATES AND ENGLAND.
[From the North China Herald

Her Majestys ship Furious, Capt, Sherard Osborne,
G. b., arrived from fedo on Thursday, September z,
having board his excellency the Earl of Eign and
suite. The Furious left Yedo on the 9th ult. having
remained there fortnight during the greater part of
which time his exceency and staff living on shore
in residence prepared for them by the Japanese govern
ment, with whom Lord Elgn concluded treaty OF COM
merce, of which short notice appears below. The En-
peror Sick and therefore did not Lord Egn 1t
proposed that his ordshp should be received by his
son. boy of twelve thirteen years of age which was
very judiciously declined 1t would have established q
bad precedent The Count Putiatne had been received
by him.
We learn that Lord Egn has during his short stay of
fortnight in the capital of Japan succeeded in
Guiding treaty with the government of that country
upon the most advantageous terms The American
treaty signed about three weeks previously forms TO
great extent the basis Of the treaty which has just been
negotiated by the British plenpotcntary 1t provides
for resident minister at the court OF Iedo for the OPEN
ing of the ports of Kanagawa (Which has not inapprop-
atey been called the Whampoa of Yedo) of Nangasaki,
and of Hakodade within the term Of year from the
date of signature at later periods port the west
coast and another the east coast called Hogo which
is the port Of Ohosaka, TO be opened to the com
merce OF the west while the principal cities of Yelo
and 0hosa to be thrown open to trade. For the
present Europeans with the exception of the minister at
Yedo not allowed TO travel in the interior. The pc
cuar internal organization OF the country, which is di
yded by $50 euda princes into separate and almost in
dependent principalites will account for this restriction
The commercial arrangements are ON the most liberal
possible scale All exports with the exception OF lew
prohibited articles sube TO duty of five per cent
Imports arc charged with duty Of twenty per cent but
as there tonnage other dues this does not
an unreasonable amount. A list of articles which an
import duty Of only five per cent is charged is excepted
from this general provision and Of the most import
ant concessions which we are informed obtained by
Lord Egn was the insertion In this latter list of cotton
and woollen goods We much mistaken it, from what
hear OF the Japanese the market thus created for
own manufactures will not rival that afforded by the vast
empire lately thrown open by the treaty of Ten tsn
Another important provision and one which believe
is not contained in the American treaty. is that by which
the end Of FIVE years There other minor differences
the details of which have not reached us but believe
the above contains the principal items of the treaty
together with its points of difference with that signed by
Mr. Harris the American consul at Smoda The Russian
minister Count Putiatne at Yedo while Lord Elgn
was there but we understand that his treaty differs in
material point from the American.
The Powhatan brings the important intelligence that
on the 2sth of July treaty signed at Konogawa,
near Yedo between the United States and Japan confer
ring great privileges them an abolition of the
government monopoly Of trade, and the right of dipo
matte residence at Yedo The treaty effected by Mr.
Harris the American consul general charged with dipo
matte functions liz is board the Powhatan, and
goes to America by the next mail Mr. Harris has re-
Gently visited Yedo and had interview with the EN-
peror The Russian frigate Askold with Admiral Putia
tine on board was entering the harbor of Smoda the
not known TO Lord Elgin when he left Nangasaki