Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-04-25
THE GAZETTE.
THE JAPAN MISSION TO THE L. STATES,
MONDAY MORNING, APRIL p, 1850.

THE JAPAN MISSION TO II L. STATES.
l.. s. S1rAuuE PoWBArAS,
HoxG KONG. February ID. 1852.
Now is the longest stride about 10 be taken
toward 1.-The opening Of Japan" Yesterday
the United States steamer Mississippi steamed
out Of this harbor aud pointed her head for
the Japanese port of Slmoda, anu after the
arrival of tue next mail (say about the 18th
~instant) we in the Powhatan will follow her
example. The object ofthis double movement
is to put Il Japanese Minister and suite in Il
fair way to reach Washington by the first of
June next. and it is expected to De accom-
plished in this way:
We reach Simoda about the 9Th proximo,
take on board Mr.. Townsend Harris the next
day, and steam for seven hours up the Bay
of Yeddo until arrived at kanagawa, anchor
(this ship and the Mississippi and COM
mence the ball. About the 10Th proximo
the Minister and suite, in charge of one Of
our ~lieutenants, arrive on board OF the Mis-
sisssippi, and steam away at once for San
Francisco. probably via the Sandwich Is
lands thence to Panama, Aspinwall, and
New York. The object in proceeding via
San Francisco is a double one-partly to let
the Japanese see what q fine country has
sprung into existence under our flag during
the last ten years. and partly to replenish
with coal. can see now these quiet Japa-
nese thrust suddenly into the streets of San
Francisco. 1t will be a healthy warming
of the crowd which will doubtless assemble
upon the New York Battery to greet them
upon their arrival there. | can see also the
surprise that will be awakened in the Ameri-
can public by the polished manners and ma
tive good breeding Of these simple islanders.
Take my word for it, they will he calm and
selfpossessed in spite Of the novelty Of the
scenes through which they will pass for the
first time. The feeling among the higher
classes in Japan is now unusually strong to
wards the United States and Americans, and
should they be received with even IA moder-
ate amount of good will and attention, it will
be hardly possible to measure the amount
of good which will result to us after their
return.
Nine Princes out of ten in the whole En-
pire will hasten to ieddoto see their returned
Peers, and to hear them cxpatiate upon the
strange countries and people over which they
will have passed, and with whom they will
have been thrown into contact. Then, with
a still stronger feeling in favor ofour country
men, American energy and enterprise will
receive their warm support and encourage
ment, and American capital will flow into
Japan in the shape of steamers, steam engines
for shore purposes, light cotton fabrics, &c.
&C., to the almost certain exclusion Of that
of less favored n%a'ions. l should not my
self be surprised if Japan were to become as
productive a field for the consumption of
steam enginesfor the crushing of cane, &c.
as the Island Of Cuba and the State Of Lou
isiana now are. Almost every climate IN
the world is known in that favored country,
and, while the more hardy cereals flourish on
the north end of Nippon and fosso, many
tropical productions are found i'll rank luxu-
rance upon the more southern islands of
Kiusin and Sikof. Among the latter is found
the sorghum or Chinese sugar cane in great
plenty.
In fact very little sugar is (has heretofore
been) imported through the Dutch, it all be-
ing raised at home, and for home consump-
ton. Nor do l see how it can ever become
an object to import sugar into Japan, SIM
ply from the fact that Japanese grocers now
retail it at about one half the average whole
sale price in other parts Of the world. That
there are vast quantities of it used in the
country there can be no question. sup
pose that in no other part of the world d"
confectiOners" drive q more active trade
Every one seems to have "a sweet tooth,
and one of their first attentions to strangers
is to offer and insist upon your partaking OF
sweetmeats of some description.