, 1858-04-16
About Japan.

then the idea that Commodore Perry's
treaty will not prove, as has been feared
entirely barren of results There is, in
deed, not much prospect Of trade with the
japanese, as they have very little to sell,
and little disposition to take anything in
payment but silver. Our COnsutgeneral
has, however, succeeded in negotiating an
important arrangement by which our silver
coin, instead of being reduced to half its
value or less in comparison with japanese
money, are now taken nearly at par. The
port of Simoda, on the south coast of the
main island, and not far from Jeddo, is
likely to prove Of very little advantage to
us. But that of Bakodadi, on the straits
Of Jesse, promises to turn out a very use
ful port for refreshments and repairs, es-
pecially for the large whaling fleet which
frequents the neighboring seas. Hitherto
there has been great difficulty in obtaining
fresh beef there, as the OK is regarded by
the Japanese as sacred animal, and is not
killed for food Measures, however, have
recently been taken by the authorities to
furnish the ships with fat cattle Fish, "a
leading article or diet with the JapaneSe)
poultry and vegetables are said to be abuu-
dant. The harbor is fine one; in fact, the
best on the whole Asiatic coast. It's also
stated that coal is mined abundantly in the
vicinity; so that, shonld the steam naviga-
tion between San Francisco and China be
revived, this harbor may form q coaling
depot. To secure accommodations Of this
cont - mill bo ra,oIIootnd mae ono oe 4bo
chief objects Of Commodore Perry's expe-
dition. The pending operations of England
against China may, indeed, tend to arouse
the fears and jealousies of the japanese,
but they may also have the effect of sug-
gesting to them the wisdom of voluntary
concession.
CONVENTION WITH JAPAN.
The following is copy Of the articles Of
u Convention concluded by Mr. Townsend
Harris, our Consul at Simoda, Japan, with
the Japanese authorities:
ART. /. The port of Nangasaki, in the
principality of Hizen, shall be open to
American vessels, where they may repair
damages, procure water, fuel, provisions,
and other necessary articles, even Goals,
when they are obtainable.
ART. 2. 1t being known that American
ships coming to the ports of Simoda and
Hakadade cannot have their wants supplied
by the Japanese, it is agreed that Amer-
can citizens may permanently reside at
Simoda, and Hakodade, and the Govern
ment OF the United States may appoint
Vice Consul to reside at Hakodade.
This article to go into effect on the 4th
day of July, 1858.
ART. 8. In settlement of accounts, the
value of the money brought by the Ameri-
cans shall be ascertained by weighing it
with Japanese igOld and silver itsebues J.
that is, gold with gold, and silver with sill
yer; or weights representing Japanese coin,
may be used after such weights have been
carefully examined and found to be cor
rect.
The value Of the money of the Ameri-
cans having been thus ascertained, the sum
OF per cent. shall be allowed to the Ja-
panese for the expense Of recoinngc.
ART. 4. Americans committing offences
in Japan shall be tried by the American
Consul G General or Consul, and shall be
punished according to American laws.
Japanese committing offences against
Americans shall be tried by the Japanese
authorities, and punished according to ia
panese laws
ART. 5. American ships which may re-
sort to the ports Of Simoda, Hakodade or
Nangosaki, for the purpose of obtaining
necessary supplies, or to repair damages,
shall pay for them in gold or silver coin,
and if they have no money, goods shall be
taken in exchange.
ART. 6. The government Of Japan adj
mts the right of the Consul General Of the
United States to go beyond tho limits OF
Seven Ri, but has asked him to delay the
use of that right, except in cases Of emcr.
gency, shipwreck, &c; to which he has as
sented,
ART. 7. Purchases for the Consul Gen
eral or his family may be made by him on
ly, or by some member Of his family, aud
payment made to the seller of the same,
without the Intervention of any Japanese
official, and for this purpose Japanese silver
and copper coin shall be supplied to the
Consul General
ART 8. As the Consul General of the
United States of America has no knowl-
edge Of the japanese language, nor the
Governors Of Simoda knowledge of the
English language, it is agreed that the true
meaning should be found in the Dutch ver-
sion Of tho artiolec
ART. 9. All the foregoing articles go
into effect from the date thereof; except ar.
ticle 2, which shall go into effect on the
date indicated in it,
In an accompanying note, Mr.. Harris
says;-
in the United States the relative value
of gold to silver is as l to l6, but in Japan
it is about to 3 l-7th, so that although
the japanese gives the same weight of their
gold coin as the foreign coin they receive,
yet owing to the difference Of relative val
Al