Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-01-28
From Japan and China.

From letter in the n. York Herald,
dated U. S. steam frigate Mississippi,
harbor of Hong Kong, Nov. l4th, we
gather some interesting facts respecting
matters and things in the Eastern world.
Mr.. Rice, our Consul at Hakodadi,
had considerable hard talk with the Gov
ernor relative to a suitable location for
a residence. Mr.. Rice had been loaded
with promises from that functionary, but
when the time came TO make the final ar
rangement he was put off and when the
Mississippi left the subject was still I'M
settled, for the reason that the japanese
think the Consul requires too much Of
them; while on the other hand the Con-
sui thinks he does not receive that at
tention and respect due his rank as the
Representative of great and powerful
nation; while, on the other hand, the
Japanese maintain that Mr.. Rice is not
a Consul, but simply commercial agent.
1t was reported that the Mississippi
would be deputed to proceed to Jeddo in
March, to convey the japanese ambas-
sador and his suite direct to the United
States. Intelligence was received at
Nagasaki that the ambassador would take
with him twenty or thirty Japanese boys,
for the purpose of having them learn our
language.
One thousand Japanese fell victims to
the cholera, which was introduced into
Nagasaki by visit of the Minnesota to
that port.
The Japanese vary in their treatment
of the dead. At Nagasaki and Jeddo
the dead are buried in a sitting posture;
at Hakokadi the bodies are burned, and
then the ashes are collected into a small
jar and buried, and monument erected
over them.
After arriving in Chinese waters, Capt.
Nicholson, of the Mississippi, learned
from Mr.. Way, missionary from Con-
necticut, who was acting as consul at
Ningpo in the absence of Mr.. Bradley
who was on a visit TO the United States,
that the Chinese had confined in cage
and heavily loaded with chains land on
an allowance of one pint of rice for TWEEN
ty-four hours for diet) an American CT
tizen by the name of John Riddell, a
native of Nantucket, on the Island OF
Chusan, on charge of murder. Rlddell
was demanded from the Chinese, who
gave him up and be was taken on board
the frigate. RiddelPs story is that himself
and four others were in charge of a gov
ernment's lorcher; they were attack
ed by the pirates who infest the islands
around Ningpo; a battle took place, dur
ing which one of RiddelPs men, Dutch
man, was instantly killed by the pirates
himself and three others were finally
overpowered, but not, however, until
Riddell had killed three of the pirates
with club. This, he says, he did in
self-defense. They were handed over
to the Chinese authorities, and were held
for the crime of murder. During their
confinement they all died but Riddell
and, as he says, from the cruelties re-
eeived at the hands of the Chinese.
Rlddell was very much emacated
when delivered up and complained bit
terly Of the treatment of the Chinese
His story was not fully credited on board
the frigate, and the captain instituted E
rigid investigation into the matter, the
result of which would be forwarded tc
our government. RiddeIl subsequent,
left the frigate and shipped for Sar
Francisco, but not until he had shown
by his own confession and acts, that he
was hard customer. Pirates are ex
tremely numerous in the vicinity O
Ningpo, and among these pirates are t.
be found English, French, Dutch, and, j
is also said, Americans.