New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-28
FROM JAPAN.
nal Correspondent

From an Occssionsl Correspondent
KAsAGAwA, Japan, Dec. %, lsG0.
That official representatives abroad are unPop-
ular with their countrymen resident within their
jurisdiction, is no uncommon thing. Yet, | hope
it is seldom that this unpopularity takes such n
marked impression as in this newly-opened coun-
try Of Japan. Particularly is this 40 with the
representatives OF the English smd American
Governments at the Courts OF Yedo, between
whom and their countrymen there il the smallest
possible sympathy. TIE causes of tais unfortu-
nate variance, for unfortunate it is TO the parties
concerned as well as 10 the interests Of the dI-
ferent countries, date back to the opening OF the
ports and the commencement Of commercial in
tercourse in 1859. To go properly into the subject
would necessitatc review of the conduct OF affairs
from the first, which, though Il might have its value
some years hence 10 the inquirer into - history oi
the rise Of Western civilization III these isles would
opine be OF little interest 10 the majority OF your
readers Leaving this 10 another time, / viii oBly
add that inquiry will reveal faults on both sides,
with no apparent desire OF either 10 heal breach
daily becoming wider. Mercantile enterprise and
official immnculacy have alOrctime buited heads
together. Recent occurrences have deepened tins
feeling as between the Engl,h Minister Alcock aud
the English residents.
There is an old edct Of this Empire-at least 70
the officials state-which, am sony TO say, il poor
evidence Of the fact which forbds the use Of fire.
arms within d certain distance Of ledO, ynrOusly
stated at twenty-five and fifty mies About year
ago the Governor Of Yokohama notified the various
COnsulates that such was the Imperial law, and re-
anested that the should be observed by foreign
era As wild geese and ducks temptlngly abound
in the swampy, paddy fields, and the hnest pleas
ants in the world to be flushed at every rod on
u. sx.ll I..a
one to the hunt-loving Engshmen. Still some sort
of an order was issued TO restrain the English from
hunting and shooting But rs her Majesty's sub
iects affirmed, while the edlct was formally set forth
on the one hand friendly wink OF the eye assured
them that the law was 10 be dead letter So the
Englishmen continued their iayOrte pastime, friends
and guests Of the Consul himself sailed out from
his gates at morning, gun IN hand, and returned at
evening laden with the spols of the chase aud even
nascent diplomats from her Majcsty's Embassy at
YedO rode down 10 Kanagnwa "for days shooting
in the country" while officials not only wnked but
shut their eyes and held them down with their fists
Thus last year passed away quietly, and when the
game sea son Of 1860 commenced, pop, bang went
the guns again, ard down came wild geese, ducks,
and pheasaBis enough 10 supply every Englishmnns
larder in Yokohama. The Governor reminded the
Consul of the regulation against shooting, but the
Consul replied that lie had forbidden il, but could
not prevent it. The Governor made some kind OF
threat of taking the matter into lis hands them
Now, an honestly intended prohibition on the part
of tho English authorities would have put stop to
the shooting; but the residents, fully persuaded that
their own official superiors cared nothing about it,
end seeing their households Themselves engaged in
the pastime, continued their sport us before. Aud
be il observed, japanese officials also engaged in
the interdicted sport. Tho truth undoubtedly IL,
that, II there ever lad been an Imperial odict
qoinSf tbp uee of firearms IL WAS dire Cted AGAINST
the pcasantry and lower classes only.
A few wceks since the native servant Of m
Englishman, returning from hunt, was seized, with
gun ard game by the Japanete. The Same day
another Englishman, while hunting near kGwasaki,
was seized at n favorable moment when he was
separated from his companions, bound md thrust
into kangO ca Japanese travelling chair aud was
being borne of prisoner when be was espied ara
rescued by his friends. The day following, Mr..
Moss, another Englishman, Ignorant Of these pro-
ceedinss, was returning home from twO-duys
hunt. He vas passing along tho tOknido, when he
was approached from behind by several Yakunns
fIom the Mayor of Knnagawa, who had already
seized his servant. Turning round be- cooked his
gun, drew il up to lis side at rest and warned them
10 keep back. The YakuniDs halted, aud Mr.
Moss dropped bic gun with tie butt resting on the
ground. Almost 81 pt 'rc moment he was
,llncL from DcliLG .ae. ,,v drown 10 The earth,
d ns he H.. f,r gbn cxl lVded, wound
ng one Of the g.. 4s iu the ann. MISS
vas bound, thrust irlo kango, fnd err
led Of TO place OF confinement. Word came to
he English Consul that foreigner had been seized,
,ound, and taken away by the japanese. lie i'm
nediately went TO the Mayors, where the officials
eiused 10 give him any information, saying nothing |
ad happened, nobody had been hurt, denying my
nonledse Of the prisoners whereabouts. Gllhepgh !