The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-07-24
From the Franklin Observer.
JAPAN,

JAPAN.
| Why the japanese totally Erterpated Christianity
and Prohibited all Commerce scih Christians
MEssRs EDITORS: The Portuguese, about 1859,
settled factory and mission of Jesuits in Japan
with great success Trade increased, and con-
verts were numerous, amongst whom were the
Princes of Rungo, Arima and Ornusa; and in
1882 they rendered their homage to Pope Gregory
XIII. But when it was thought that the whole
nation of Japan resolved to possess Christ
the heathan priests prevailed so efectually with
Their Emperor, that by Proclamation in 1885, lie
forbid all his subjects under pain of DEATH to en-
brace the Christian faith; which was followed i'm
medlately by a most severe persecution, in which
20570 people suffered death in the year 1890,
and 10000 in 159l-92. And it was thought
that the converts had not at last been disgust
ed at the pride and covetOusness of the Portuguese
clergy as well as Of the laity, i had not been in
the power of tortures to exterpate Christianity
TIE Dutch in imitation of the Portuguese, resolv-
ed time before the year 1900 to extend also
their navigation into the East Indies. Their first
factory in Japan at Frando, and they had
free commerce granted them. Being at war with
Spain, which was then possessed of all the Portu-
gaese dom!nions, they undertook to supplant the
Portuguese and ruin their trade. Besides, they
had great reason to complain Of the Portuguese,
who represented them as the worst and most un-
just people in the world. Therefore they took
hold of an opportunity which offered itself soon
after Having captured an homeward bound Por-
tuguese ship, near the Cape of Good Hope, in
which they found traitorous letter to the King
Of Portugal, written by one Captain Moro, Jap
anese and great zealot for the Christian religion,
they delivered The letter to their protector, the
Prince of Firando who communicated it to the
Governor Of Nagasaki. Captain Moro being taken
up, boldly denied the fact, and did all the Por-
tuguese at Nagasaki, but they were convicted.
The letter was sent to Court, and Moro was burnt
alive The letter laid open the plot which the
Japanese christians, in con JUNCTION with the Por-
tuguese, had made against the Emperor's life the
want they stood in of ships and soldiers which
were promised them in Portugal, and the names
of the Japanese Princes concerned in the
spracy. This discovery, made by the Dutch, was
afterwards confirmed by another letter written by
the same Captain Moro, to the Portuguese govern
ment at Macao, which was intercepted and brought
into Japan by japanese ship. 1t was therefore
ordered in the year 1857, that no foreigners should
have leave to come into the country, and that none
of the Emperors should travel abroad. However,
the directors of the Portuguese trade staid in
Japan two years longer. But at last, upon assur-
ances given to the Emperor by the Dutch East
India Company that they would supply the coun-
try with such commodities as had been imported
by the Portuguese, he declared the latter to be
enemies to the empire. Thus the Portuguese lost
their trade with Japan, and were totally expelled
before the latter end Of the year 1639. The next
year they resolved to try again to revive that pro-
ftable branch of their trade. In order to do it,
the government of Macao sent two ambassadors to
the Emperor Of Japan, attended with retinue of
seventy three persons. AS soon as these embassa-
dors came into the horbor of Nagasaki, they were
put under arrest with their whole retinue, though
they had no goods on board to show that they did
not come with the intention to trade The Empe-
ordered them all to be Deheaded except twelve
of the lowest rank who sent to Macao to car
ry to their countrymen the news of this unhappy
success, with a proud and threatening message
from the Prince importing that should the King
of Portugal himself, nay, the very God of the
Christians presume to enter his dominions, he
would serve them in the very same manner. 1t is
highly probable that those twelve men, for want of
skill in the management of their ship pershed at
sea- as they never heard Of again. Each of
the other Portuguese had according to the custom
of the country, his own executioner standing by
him; that upon the signal given all their heads
were struck of in an instant. We truly hope our
people in their commercial dealings, and Am
bassador to the Court of Jeddo, will be more for
tunatc than the Portuguese have been and that
the treaty now about to be ratified between the
two countries will be the means Of again bringing
the japanese under the mild and saving influence
of the Gospel. j. J. +.