The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-04-24
AMBASSADORS FROM JAPAN.

The United States steamer Powhatan arrived at
San Francisco the 9th of March from Japan,
via Honolulu. She brings the japanese embassy,
consisting of two principal Ambassadors, Princes
of the highest rank among the nobility of the
pire and two associates who are mobiles of nearly
equal rank. These four are of the Emperor's
Council. They arc accompanied by a suit of six
teen officers. Among them three Interpreters
and 50 subordnates- making Y in all.
The Powhatan arrived at Honolulu March 5th,
and remained there till the 18th. The Ambassa-
doris were there received with all formal honors.
Private hospitalites extended on every hand, ,
and the King and Queen held court at the palace
for the reception of the distinguished foreigners,
and welcomed them in appropriate terms They
were also entertained at grand ball given by the
officers of the hatan, expressing great delight
at the gay and novel scene.
They bring 100000 to defray their personal
expenses, although the whole Embassy is invited
at the sole expense of the United States. They
were given the best quarters on the Powhatan dur
ing the voyage, and arrived in good health and
highly pleased The chief dignitaries magnif-
Gently dressed in embroidered silk robes, each wear
ing a sword Of beautiful workmanship. They
have conducted themselves with great dignity and
propriety
The japanese Ambassadors visited San Francis
CO on the 31st ult. and have remained the honored
guests of the city ever since Twenty thousand
dollars have been appropriated from the city treas
ury to provide for them suitable entertainment.
All the corporation officers, the members of the
Legislature the Governor and citizens generally,
have paid their respects in person. and on the I'd
instant grand public reception given the
strangers at the largest hall in the city, where the
United States officers, both civil and military with
the foreign consuls and State authorities, partici
pated in the reception ceremonies.
The Japanese carry an immense amount of bag
gage, including many boxes of presents to the
United States Government.
The N. Y. Journal of Commerce remarks:
The recent explorations in Japan, and especially
the United States Expedition and Lord Elgns
Mission, have thrown food of light upon the
character and prospects of the japanese. In the
arts Of coloring glass and tempering steel, they
possess skill and secret which more civilized
nations have lost Their glassware is the most
beautiful ill the world their swords the strongest
and the sharpest The vast population live together
in quiet and orderly masses, and the peace and
quiet of the fatherly and consderate despotsm are
seldom never disturbed. A wise and useful
economy pervades the Empire, which prevents
of scarcity and high prices. Sumptuary
laws forbid undue luxures but the people not
unwholesomely restrained The criminal code is
severe, but punishment is impartially inflicted.
The people are virtually exempt from taxation-the
revenues coming from the rents of the land owned
by the Crown ELEPHANTS narrative Of the Els gin
Mission which is the most instructive and accurate
work Japan yet published, states that locks and
keys do not exist, and that theft is almost unknown.
There few drunkards or beggars in Japan and the
whole nation is devoted to industrial pursuits with
zeal and energy surpassed in no other country.
A united, honest and obedient people, they live in
condition of peace and tranquility, and almost
primeval simplicity, which has been the admiration
OF all who have visited and known them.