Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-05-23
WASHINGTON connEs u,o


The Japanese Ambassadors reached this city on
Monday last; Wednesday morning they bad an in
terestng interview with Secretary Cass, and yester
day at noon they were formally presented to the
President AT an early hour of the day the avenue
about Wizards Hotel was thronged with people Of
both sexes, anxious to get glimpse of these oIien-
tai visitors The United States Marines and the
Ordnance Corps from the Arsenal were drawn up
in front of the Hotel for escort duty. At half past
II o'clock signal was given to the Marine band,
which Immediately began playing national air. and
soon thereafter the Ambassadors and suites made
their appearance, accompanied by the Navy Com
missoners. They were arrayed in the richest silks,
and presented an appearance novel and unique
Price, Smme, the Chief Ambassador, was clothed
in beautiful purple robe with large flowing sleeves
and trowSers of the same material, made somewhat
in the style of the Turks queer looking sword
fastened to belt the handle or guard being in
front instead of the side as worn by our military
On the top of the head was worn a cap which re-
sembled ladies leather work box and his feet were
encased in white sandals. As each prince entered
his carriage the members of his suite knelt down,
and then took position the sides and rear OF the
vehicle In front of the Chief Ambassador was
borne long lance, on the end of which was large
black Maltese cross. The second dignitary then
appeared and then the third each followed by their
suites when the same ceremonies were gone through
Everything now being in readiness the procession
started, the military being in front The military
andS of ladies and gentlemen lining the sidewalks
on the line Of the procession rendered it Of the
most imposing pageants ever witnessed in this
country. On reaching the Presidential mansion
the gates were unlocked and the procession passed
in. Here the same ceremonies were observed when
the Princes left the carriages, the subordinates
kneeling and then closing round their master to
guard him to the door. Although none but Army
and Navy officers. members of Congress, &c. were
admitted to the White House, yet it was crowded
to its utmost capacity. There some seventy
five Naval officers present in full dress, and about
ninety Army officers, among them Gen. Scott who
attracted marked notice.
At twelve o'clock, precisely, the President and
Cabinet entered the east room, and took position
fronting the parlors. After brief pause the par
Tor doors opened and the embassy silently adj
vanced, bowling twice very low, to which the Presi-
dent responded by like number of bows After
an introduction to the President the principal Am
baSSador presented his credentials, which act was
accompanied by two more bows. He then read an
address to the President, which was translated from
japanese into Dutch and then into English. 1t Is
as follows: His Majesty, the Tycoon, has COM
manded us that we respectfully express to his Ma
jcsty, the President of the United States, in his
name as follows: Desiring to establish on firm
and lasting foundation the relations of peace and
commerce, so happily existing between the two
countries, that lately the plenpotentiares of both
countries, have negotiated and concluded a treaty
of the treaty in your principal city of Washington.
Ilenceforth he hopes that the friendly relation shall
be held more and more lasting, and he is very hap
py to have your friendly feeling, that you have
brought us TO the United States and will send us
back to Japan in your man-ocwar" The address
was then handed the President, who passed it over
to the Secretary of State. Mr.. Buchanan then re-
piled by reading the following address a. give
you cordial welcome as representatives of his
Majesty, the Tycoon of Japan. We are all much
gratitied that the first embassy which your great
empire has ever accredited to any foreign power has
been sent to the United States trust that this
will be the harbnger eff perpetual peace and friend
ship between the two countries The treaty of
commerce, whose ratifcations you about to ex-
change with the Secretay of State cannot fail to be
productive Of benefits and blessings to the people
both Of Japan and the United States. can say for
myself and promise for my successors that it shall
be carried into execution in faithful and friendly
spirit to secure to both countries all the ad-
vantages they may justly expect from the happy
auspices under which it has been negotiated and
flied rejoice that you pleased with the kind
treatment you have received board vessels of
war whilst on your passage to this country. You
shall be sent back in the same manner to your ma
tive land. Meanwhile, during your residence among
us, which hope may be prolonged so as to enable
you to visit the various portions of country, we
shall be happy to extend to you all the hospitality
and kindness eminently due to the great and friend
ly sovereign you represent"
This address was listened to with the most earn
est attention by the Japanese Princes In fact they
scarcely took their eyes off the President during the
entire interview. A copy of this address was hand
ed the first Ambassador and then the members of
the Cabinet were introduced to the orientalS when
general hand-shakng enSued bnt not even then
did they change from their grave dgnified demean-
or. The wives of the several Secretaries then
introduced receiving from these duskv princes low
obeisance only, their etiquette forbiding handsha
king with women.
The ceremonies now being over the entire embas-
sy slowly retired, walking backwards. and bowling
thrice The procession was again formed, Prince
Slmme IN the first open carriage, surrounded by
his guard and standard bearers on foot Behind
came the others of the embassy, wearing green
silk robes and trowsers of the same material. Large
crowds of persons followed the procession and the
windows of all the houses on the avenue were alive
with women and children.
The embassy expressed themselves as delighted
with their reception, and speak in the warmest
terms of their great admiration and respect for the
President The majority of these people are quite
low in stature and somewhat effemnate looking
One of them, Prince Skahara Thurogo is remarkably
handsome. He is nearly white as our people,
with jet black hair and pair of large, lusrous eyes
of dazzling brilliancy. His countenance is The most
intelligent and expressive have ever seen.
To-day visitors calling on the foreign le-
cations. The correspondents of newspapers, repor-
ters &c, were well cared for by DR.. Black, the
Commissioner of Public Buildings who afforded
them every facility to witness the ceremonies at the
Executive Mansion. .....
There several items | wished TO incorporate in
this letter. but its length renders it unadvsable now
In the Senate the caucus resolutions known as
the Senatorial platform, have been under discussion
On Tuesday last Judge Douglas commenced re-
ply to the speech of Gen. Davis of Miss, and after
speaking 81 hours gave way, without concluding
for an adjournment The next day he resumed, and
spoke some 8 hours longer.
The Judge was listened to by an immense assem-
blage the floor of the Senate even being crowded
with the privileged He argued that he had never
changed his opinion on popular sovereignty-that
he stood now just where Alabama stood in 1885,
ID wnS in thn a