Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-06-27
THE GAZETTE.
MONDAY MORNING. JUNE p. 1859.
NEWS FROM JAPAN.


letter from Townsend Harris in Japan, con-
tain,mg political ana other news. The Ja-
panese had applied tor an American steamer
I" forward their Envoy to THIS county. The
readiness with with the leading European
Powers accepted Mr.. Harris treaty had add
ei greatly IL his influence with the Japanese,
For had told them, long before our treaty
was completed. that any treaty that was sat
isiactory to me would be accepted 10y all the
nations that would wish to have treaties with
them, and tins literal accomplishment Of my
assertions has greatly pleased them
"A ministerial crisis occurred ut leio on
the Sd OF August Hetta, Prince Of Bltteu,
Chief of the Great Council Of State and Min
lister for Foreign Affairs; and Ninto, Prince
OF kee, Member Of the Council, were dis
missed from office, and their places were I'LL
ell by Ota, Prince of Bingo, and Monahay,
Prince Of Simo-O-sa.
Both of the last named persons bel 'ng to
the odd Fogey' party of Japan. This unex-
pected occurrence is said to have been brought
about by the signing of the treaty with me on
the 10Th Of July. The opponents ofthe trea-
" alleged that the two Ministers had been
frightened by me; that neither the English
nor French were coming to Japan, and that
from the cowardice they had shown they
had proved themselves to he unfit for the
places they held The clamor was SO loud
aud so well sustained that the two Princes
were dismissed, "a already stated.
The present Ministry embraces friends Of
the Americans.
.'On the 18th of September the japanese
officially announced the death of the Tycoon,
stating that he expired on the 18th OF that
month. was informed of his death on the
Doth Of August, and in fact the actual date
of his demise was on the 10th of August
but it was concealed by the authorities I'M
til they could complete their negotiations
with the English and Russians. which would
have been suspended had the death been an
nounced
The tycoon was subject to epileptic fits,
and IT is very probable that the great eX-
element in Yedo that followed the signing
OF the American treaty may have brought On
a fatal attack of his malady The successor
to the throne is an adopted son OF his late Ma
iesty. He is SAID to be bright youth Of
som. fifteen years Of age. lie will be allow
ed TO marry when he reaches the age of
eighteen. OF course, the youth OF the new
ruler removs the necessity OF any speculation
as 10 what his views may be as relates to
the foreign affairs of this country
''rhe cholera broke out 1T NaSnslki short
" after our ships, the Powhatan and hllssis-
s,ppi left that place. The disease spread
rapidly over the islands of kinsu and SlkOk.
aud crossed over to Nippon tour island 1t
made great havoc in the cities al Simonoski,
Osaca, kioto, Yedo, &c., and all the villages
and hamlets. The authorities inform me
that in Nedo alone one hundred and fifty
thousand persons died during the first month
of the maady. am happy To say that it has
nearly ceased My situation here was Il try
my one; the Ealady swep of over one hun
dred persons nut of our little hamlet in less
than twenty days. No medical aid on which
| could rely was to be obtained Happily
all nv household escaped. The disease, in
part, assumed novel type. The subjects
were attacked with IL burning fever in the
face and head, soon became drliriouS, and fire.
,,uently died the second hour after the ut
lack.
The Japanese inform me that once before
(in ls2222, or eaboutsy the cholera visited
this country This is, perhaps a fortunate
circumstance, as had its first appearance here
been simultaneous with the opening "i the
=,
have been unpleasant. As it is, some OF the
common people at Nagasaki said the for
.gners had brought the disease. had poison
cd the wells, Gc. Fortunate ly nothing serl-
Gus grew out of the feeling, although 1t Is
said that the priests were very busy III con-
>eying such ideas to the people.
The only effect ut Simoda Was to produce
ii decided revival" Never were the temples
and mics 81 crowded; the priests rcI"lced IN
large surplus revenue" arising from the sale
oi charms and from the offerings ut the de
yuut The houses were covered with charms
"t all sorts; fish nets were hung over the
doors to eutangle the Bi-o-ki, should 1t at
tempt to enter the house; sickles knives, ana
other cutting implements were suspended u
keep of the dreaded enemy; miniature bows
AMI arrows fitted to them, threatened the de-
mon from each penthouse: guns were hred
during the night to brighten him, and gongs
beaten loud enough and long enough to stun
him if he had ears. Enormous rosaries, some
twelve feet in circumference, and with beads
an inch in diameter made their appearance,
aud dozen devotees would rush to each
one, passing it rapidly through their hands,
shouting 1mida, Linda, Amdd, from the
bottom of his lungs. The affairs in the tenn
pies and mics looked like BARRIERS shops, from
the great number Of "topknots" which the
Japanese had cut Of and hung up as offerings
Over every pathway charms were suspended
to barricade the approaches to the houses and
hamlets. You may imagine what spectacle
all this was to your friend. But euouS for
the present. am well, thanks to Provl-
donce, and now my chief anxiety is to hear
from home"