The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-12-09
ditional particulars Of Japan and the Japa-
". 8. SrgAuHiIp PowHATAx,

DldDDh, aug - ipSp'
II Is now two years sincs We sent our FIRST
Consul TO Japan, 10 accordance with pro
vision Of the treaty Of kanegawa. made in
l854-5, by Commodore Perry. He was
brought here by the United States steamer
Gan Jacinto, and " leit alone 10 his glory"
to the infinite disgust Of the authorities, who
told him 10 20 away for year, and then
come back, by which time they should have
house built for him Being thus unavoid-
ably left upon their hands, they made the
best Of bad bargain, however, gave him
large temple to live in, servants 10 attend
upon him, supplied him with everything in
the Japanese eating line, and finally began
to look upon him aud his secretary as rather
pleasant additions to their society. Messrs
Harris and Hueskin now began TO look
around them for amusement. They found
the golden pheasant plentiful among the
neghboriug bills, and when satiated with
gunning and long walks, the former turned
his eye in the direction OF Jeddo. After q
while he received permission to visit that
city in hu ofiicial capacity, and the first
thing that we know be has obtained the
signing Of an important convention, and Is
again at Simoda. This convention was
published in the United States in January
Of this year. and 30 shall let it pass. The
manner in which Mr.. Harris and his Sccre-
tary vent to Jeldo is interesting. The Em-
peror sent him body guard Of l20 men,
and had comfortable houses put up along
the road for him 10 pass the nights in. He
also sent him d large sedan chair, carried
by twelve bearers, and 30 roomy that be
nut mattress into it and rcclined ut foil
length when no was tired Of sitting. 1t is
only about seventy miles from this place to
Jeddo but tho country is so rugged and
the roads 40 bad the frat part Of the way
that they were seven days In accomplishing
tho distance Every night they stopped At
ono OF the comfortable houses which had
been prepared expressly upon his account,
and after an early breakfast resumed their
road Upon arriving at Jeddo, they were
lodged In the most commodious quarters,
treated with tho greatest resrct aud atten.
ton, und granted interviews with the Elm.
pcror. The reader is. OF course, aware that
every one, foreigner or Japanese, who has
heretofore approached tho Emperor. has
been requ upon his knees. This
custom they were determined to adhere 70
In the present case but, somehow or other,
it had never before been so difficult to bell
the cat Who was 10 speak to MIR.
Il about IL ;" That was the question.
Finally Japanese Douglas stepped forward
and offered TO brace bis huge shoulders for
tho task. This gentleman was not the most
determined man in Japan, but then he was
upon the most intimate terms Of both social
and political intercourse with " the Amer.
can legation" He therefore called upon
Mr.. w. and commenced the attack by beg.
ging that he would not be offended at what
he was going to say.
Mr.. Harris listened quietly and kindly
to all he had to say, aud then replied with
his usual judgment and tirmness Of manner.
lie told him that he was ANXIOUS 10 do eve
ry,hing that was consistent with Sli-respect
to do honor to the Emperor, but that this
thing was out of the question. and had bet
ter not be referred 10 again. Were Nj
pom TO snd minister to my country" he
said, "he might approach our President In
any manner he saw bit, lie might knee!
and knock his head against the door or b.
might bow to him and shake hands. There
We allow every ono perfect liberty and 1t
il but right. therefore, that be allowed the
same here
avery well, very well. replied Douglas
half apologeticaliy. And thus was settled
| this question forever remarked Mr.. IL.
Mr Harris haa been twice TO JeIido since
he was landed by the San Jacinto, and re-
mnncd some three months each time lie
| speaks IN most tlAtter,ng terms OF the prlm'-
tive simplicity Of the Imperial habits. OF the
absence Of everything like magniiieence
about his palace. and OF the general kind
ness nnI good feeling eyinced by all CLASSES
| toward him lie mentioned the case ol ons
/ old lady in particular, who was even now
| engaged IN the motherly task OF making
him some wad,led silk shirts TO protect him
from the approaching winter. These acts
arv trivial. but they indicate very plainly
the nature Of Japanese feeling toward Amer
leans Even the Emperor has loaded him
/ down with kndntsS When he was lying
SICK at tins place = special messenger RTriv
III daily from Je,ido to AJAX after hls health
and To bring HIM some present, expressly,
! OF the interest that was felt for hts rcCoyory
| The Imperial Doctor was Also sent to attend
upon him. Such things as these have never
/ before becu known IN the history II Japan
! Our able Consul General has very poor
opinion about the majority Of books which
have been written about this conntry,
Speaking OF Commodore Perry, | asked
him how he Japanese hal treated tho cx
pensivc presents which TIL, officer had pre-
sented them, on tho part OF the government
three or four years back.
"Well. know am going to surprise
you now" he replied, " You know that
Commodorr Perry gave them. among other
things. a circular railroad. an engine anl q
tender. and brass boat howitar---one 81
Dahlgreu gus. They havca large house
built for the safe keeping OF th.s railroad
and every now and then they take II 0at
lay the track, get up steam, and thea away
GU dozen or more high othoers upon C,r
cular pcasurc trip. Japanese engineers
have charge Of everything aud are never a.