The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-02-26
FROM THE JAPANESE EMBASSY.

The Niagara left Kanagawa the 25th of
November from Hong-Kong, bringing letters apto
that date. The landing of the Ambassadors and
the reception of the Niagaras officers have already
been noticed A visit to the city Of Yeddo seems
to have completely dissolved that halo of beauty
which the imagination had lent it, The houses
are of one story, standing on under-pinning
of wood or stone, constructed of q framework
of light timber, with heavy beams above, while the
side and partitions below simply frames of sticks
and paper-the whole resembling vast rice-pa-
per camp, which only needs spark to kindle it
into flame. In fact, two thousand houses were
burnt down during the short stay made there by
the Niagara. 1t is said also that forty thousand
people lost their lives during the earthquake of
1853, unable to escape from the burning ruins.
Numerous temples, however, add degree of pic
turesqueness to the otherwise monotonous scene.
The residences OF the Tycoon and his principal Of
fcera also gorgeously fitted up, each having
large guard of soldiers to protec: the inmates.
Four days after the Ambassadors arrival they
made visit to the American Minister, and ex-
pressed their kind appreciation of the manner in
which they had been treated Two days later an
audience was given to the Minister and the Mia
CARA officers by the Prime Minister of the EN-
pire. The visitors were received with great ur-
banity Simme Bugen and the other Ambassadors
were also present After tobacco and pipes had
been handed round, conversation began between
Mr. Harris aud the Minister, the latter expressing
the satisfaction with which his Government had
heard of the reception Of the Embassy, and his
thanks for the presents which had been sent to
the Tycoon. Dinner followed, in which Eastern
ingenuity appears to have displayed itself to perfec
ton; but, strange to say, the quondam bibulous
Ambassadors refused to taste touch, or handle any
of the inebriatiug lqours. With few compliment
ary observations, the company soon afterward
broke up. -E as.a
The presents were landed on the next day but
one, and comprised gun-boat and machinery, a
battery of Dahlgren guns, with large quantityof
small arms and machinery, the whole weighing
about ninety tons. One of the officers was sur
prised to find, in adjoining shed, seventeen
Dahlgren guns, exact copies Of the one presented
by Commodore Perry; but be quietly informed
that the japanese had finished one thousand more
of the sort, which were all in the forts and
arsenals at Yeddo. An Armstrong gun had also
been made, apparently from some newspaper de-
scription llalf an hours instruction enabled the
men to work the gun with entire success.
Nearly all the foreigners in Japan, however,
complain bitterly OF the indignities which are still
heaped upon them; and it is evident that the pre-
judices of centuries are far from being overcome.
Fears entertained of an indscriminate massacre
of strangers, to be followed by and all its hor-
rors. Though the currency difficulty had been
settled during the visit to this country no official
notification Of it had been made when the Niagara
left. Calling at Hong Kong the steamer took Dir
Ward, the American Minister to China, from that
port to Aden 1.@-a