New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-07
THE UNEryD STATES AND JAPAN.

The report of the death of Mr.. TOwnsend.Harris,
United States Minister in japan, is not credited
by his friends In this city. HiJ health, although
feeble for many months, has net been considered
affected beyond hope of restOi alton. We haze
seen letter, tlss handwriting Of which certainly
betrays no siga Of weakness, written by Mr.. Har-
ris on the 9th Of February and it is believed that
no authentic news of ateT date has been received.
Until some more decisive intelligence srriyes, ne
shall hope that Mr.. Harrs's public career has not
so unexpectedly terminated. His death at this
time would be severe and almost irreparablccss.
To his activity and energy We owe the best 81 the
advantages wo now hold in our relations With
Japan. Among the representatives. of foreign ma
tons at Yedo he has always held the first position
Of influence aud authority and although tbs dis
position of the Japanese rulers is naturally more
friendly to the United States than to any other
Government--all the rest having at some time
given reasonable cause for distrust aud ayersI6n-
a less efficient minister could neyoT have bN aght
about such fortunate results Us those " Inch have
followed Mr.. Harris'e labors
TO appreciate the value of Mr.. Harris's dplo-
matte services, the history OF recent attempts to
| must b. understood Until 1916 no efort was
ever made blythe United States TO open negot ntiOns
| with that empire At this time the japanese
were more or less uafriendy to every nation with
which thcy were acquainted. The Portuguese and
| Spanish had, two handred years before, Incurred
their just anger by plotting to overthrow the gov
ernment and had bern expelled The Dutch
Il hit k.l1 IN a..
| and contemptuous surveillance. The English had
| lost favor through the gross misconduct of the
captain of one of their men-Of-war, who, in 1908
sailing under Dutch colOrs, entered the harbOr Of
| Nagasaii, AID there played such pranks that
thirteen of the native authorities, unable 10 survive
the modification Of their inability to punish them,
| simultaneously ripped up their boSes, according
to japanese cnst9m, TO preserve their honor. The
| Russians, owing TO similar bat more gricyOus
ofense, were still more obnoxious. Dissatisfied,
on the whole with the habits Of their visitors, the
japanese were at first strongly dsincned to listen
to the propositions Of the United States, and il
vas not uutil 1853 that Commodore Perry succeed
I'd in overcoming their reluctance. The success
of his mission gave rise to renewed eudeay0rs on
the part OF England and Russia, neither of which,
however was able to share his advantages at that
time.
Commodore Perry's treaty with Japan secured,
among other privileges, the right of residence at
Smoda, in Nippon, for United States consul and,
to fill this office, Mr.. Townsend Harris was chosen
ia 1866. Upon his way to Japan, Mr.. Harris nego-
iated treaty with the Government Of Siam, secur-
ing new and important benefits to American con-
merce. On arriving at SimOda, he Immediately set
about the work which he has ever since prosecuted
with distinguished success. At every step he was
confronted by obstacles sufficient to paralyze less
resouie mn. The prejudces of two hundred
years were not 10 be sstaside in an hour, but,
gradually and surely working his way, Mr.. Harris
passed from one achievement to another, beginning
by securing a substantial treaty Of commerce, and
ending by inducing the delegation 70 this country
of the first political embassy that has ever left
Japan Representatives of other nations in that
region have been fortified by the presence Of armed
forces. Mr.. Harris had no such advantage but,
from the first was quite alone. But this does not
appear 10 have diminished his influence, for, In
1857, he was received with great honor BY the