The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1858-01-06
L AT EST VS.,
Highly important from China and
Japan--Visit of the U. s. Ship
Portsmouth to acknowledgements
dences of Japan-The President
and the Retiring Board.

Portsmouth to acknowledgements
dences of Japan-The President
and the Retiring Board.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.-The Navy De-
partment yesterday received very in
teresting and important dispatches from
our squadron stationed in the East Indies
and the Chinese Seas, under date of
"Hong October 18th, " Commodore Foote,
of the I States p-of-war Portsmouth,
writes to the Secretary of thesNa
follows: ~
SIR: | have the honor to report the ar
rival Of this ship on the night Of the Goth
instant, after passage Of Is days from
Hakodadi Commodore Armstrong not
having arrived from Shanghai, although
hourly expected, I send You a copy Of my
report by the overland mail
II have called on the Earl of Elgin, Sir
John Bowring, the Governor, and Rear
Admiral Seymour from whom | learn
that affairs in India are far more satisfac-
tory than at previous advices. The Ad-
miral read me letter from an officer of
high rank stating that, although Delhi
had not absolutely fallen, the English
troops were in possession of the heights
of the city, and with the heavy artillery,
can soon take possession. With the fall
Of Delhi, the power of the rebellion will
soon be crushed.
owe have heard nothing Of the Min
pesota since the date of her sailing from
the United States.
"It is rumored that the British naval
forces under Admiral Seymour will make
demonstration on Canton in the ensuing
month (November). The city has been
strongly fortified during the cessation Of
hostilities. The French forces with their
ambassador are lying at an island farther
up the river, and seem indisposed to par
ticipate with the English in their attack
upon Canton.
have the honor TO be, very respectful
ly, your ob't seg't,
ANDREW P. FooTE, Coln'r.
Hon. ISAAC ToUoEY, Secretary of the
Navy, Washington, D. c."
The report Of his visit to Hackodadi,
one of the principal sea-ports of Japan,
which Commander Foote Las forwarded
to the Department, is very voluminous,
and full Of interesting details of that
strange and little known country
Agreeably to the orders of Commodore
Armstrong, Commander Foote sailed for
Japan on the Goth of August, and on the
| 18th Of September anchored near Vandal-
| ia Bluff, in the outer harbor of Simoda
Several japanese officers of high rank
went on board, with the Governors re-
spects and welcome to Japan. The
American Consul General, Mr.. Harris,
was found to be on very good terms with
| the authorities.
A few days after his arrival Comman =
der Foote called on the Governors of ST.
moda, accompanied by the Consul Gen
eral and four ward-room officers, and was
received with great courtesy and appar-
ent cordiality. The japanese inquired,
with good deal of interest, how tine
President of the United States regarded
Japan. They were also anxious to know
about the war in China, its cause and
probable results, and expressed the hope
that the japanese would some day visit
America for the purpose of education and
of obtaining knowledge of many things
in which they confess their deficiency.
Commander Foote stated to the Gov
errors that American men of war would
in future visit Japan more frequently
In view of the efforts of the Consul Gen
eral in framing q treaty with that Govern
ment, and the prospect of being admitted
to conference at Yedo, the frequent Wis
its of naval force seem almost indis-
pensible to success. The Japanese are
evidently strongly impressed wi tn our
power. 1t is the frequent display of this
power, rather than its use, which will
secure to us commercial privileges far
beyond those hitherto accorded to any ma
ton.
The inner harbor is, according to the
report OF Com. Foote, too small to admit
| OF more than five OF six vessels obtaining
good anchorage. The outer harbor he
considers wholly unsafe, as heavy swell
is continually setting from the Westward,
| and great danger and Inconvenience is ex-
perienced in getting thence out to sea.
With the exception of rice and large
quantities of lacquered ware, Simoda off
ers but little encouragements to trade,
while its confined harbor renders it of less
value for commercial OF other purposes
The well sheltered harbor Of Osaca, the
port of entry for Wilaco, and for which
consul Harris is now regulating, ought,
in the opinion of commander Foote to Ibe
| submitted for that of Simoda.
1t appears that the coal of Simoda is
| wholly supplied from the island of Kin
sin, near the town of 'Ragasaki. At the
time of the visit of the Portsmouth, there
was supply on hand of about 1900
tons, Of which the price is generally a
fraction above So per ton. The quality
is said to be good and might prove equal
to moderate demand. A greater sup
ply, at less cost, may be found in Ma
gasaki.