, 1859-10-21

From the San Francisco Times, Oct. l.
Later from Japan.
IMPORTANT ACQUISITIONS OF TERRITORY BY
TIE RUSSIANS A RIVAL. PORT AGAINST
HeNGKoNG - INTERESTING DETAILS ABOUT
HAKoDADI IT'S TRADE AND COMMERCE.
THE LATE CURRENCY CHANGE, ETC.
In addition to the news already publish
ed from Russian-Asa and japan, we have
collected some important facts which have
been kindly furnished us by Mr. Edward
F. Hall, Jr., who arrived last week in the
schooner Lewis Perry, Capt. Turner, from
Japan and the Amoor River
CHANGE IN THE JAPANEsE CURRENCY
The Perry left Hakodadi on the 18th of
August. He represents that the flourish
ing trade which had been instituted by the
late treaty with the United States, is en-
trely at an end, owing to the change in the
Japanese currency, Of which mention has
been already made. The American resi-
dents had protested against this change,
but beyond that nothing had been or could
be done. Goods now cost two hundred per
cent. more than before, owing to the depre-
ciation in the silver dollar. This change
in the japanese currency went into effect
only one month after the treaty negotiated
by Consul Harris was put in operation,
which was on the 4th of July last On
the 4th Of August, following the new and
deprecated coin went into general circula-
ton. The effect was to Immediately para
lise all foreign trade.
The American treaty provides that the
ratio Of coin exchange shall be weight for
weight,"-that is:-coin for coin Of all
kinds The deprecated value of the new
Japanese money renders this impossible, as
two Of these new coin are equal to a dollar
iu value, but are in reality worth only 33S
cents each. Specimens Of the old and new
money were shown us yesterday by Mr..
Hall. The latter is little larger than the
former, but of co urse contains q smaller
per centage of silver, and more base metal
The pieces, which are called ''itzebues, are
about an inch long by : of an inch wide,
and are stamped on both sides with Japan
ese characters. The English treaty with
the Japanese differed with that of the Uni
ted States, in the respect that the ratio Of
coin exchange should be weight for weight
aud value for value The refusal Of the
American residents to recognise the new
coin had very little effect upon the Japan
ese authorities; but the Russian steamer
America, with the news, had been dispatch
ed to Kanagawha, where the American
Consul General, Mr.. Harris, the maker Of
the treaty, was supposed to be at that time.
No American vessel of war was at Hako-
dadi at the time, and none was Immediately
expected.
TARIFF, WEIGHTS AND MEASURES OF JAPAN.
The publication of the japanese tariff at
this time will prove acceptable to our read
ers. 1t is furnished us by Mr.. Hail. as fol-
lows:
Class One-EIee-Gold and silver, coin
ed aud uncoined; wearing apparel in actual
use, household furniture and printed books
not intended for sale, but the property of
persons who come to reside in Japan.
Class ItOO-Five per csnt.-All articles
used for building purposes, rigging, repair
ing or fitting out Of ships, whaling gear of
oil kinds, salted provisions of all kinds,
bread and breadstnffs, living animals Of all
kinds, Goals, timber for building houses, rice
paddy, steam machinery, zinc, lead, tin, and
raw silk.
Class IHree.-A duty of 35 per cent
shall be paid on all intoxicating liquors,
whether prepared by distillation, fermenta-
ton, or in any other manner.
Class Four.-All goods not included in
any Of the preceding classes shall pay
duty of 20 per cent.
All exports, per cent, excepting gold
and silver coin and copper in bars.
Foreign invoice Of merchandise for Ja-
pan should be made like those sent to the
United States. Opium prohibited.
No tonnage dues to be paid to the Gus
tom House. But fees:-Each permit, 81
SO cents; for the entry of ship, s.; bill of
health, 81 SO; for clearance, 81; any other
document, 81 so.
EFFECTS OF THE CHANGE.
The operation Of the change in the cur
Gency OF Japan, is to throw the American
trade directly back to where it stood under
commodore Perry's original treaty, and Of
which so much dissatisfaction was express
ed. Silver is, of course only valued at the
rate OF S33 cents on the dollar, and gold
Is thrown back to even a greater degree of
depreciation. There can be but one course
LOT our Government to pursue n this mat
Nr' after taking the decided steps which it