Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-01-29
INTERESTING EXPOSITION OF Az
FAIRS IN JAPAN

Is q japanese of fine intelligence and high
personal character. He was educated in this
country, being the first Japanese ever edu-
Gated outside Of Jspan,) speaks English with
remarkable ease, and bids fair to be of great
service to the United States in future inter-
course between this country and Japan, where
he now carries on business.
WILLARD HOTEL, WASHINGTON, D.C.,I
January Is, 1852.
". d. WaiLaeh, Esq, Editor of the Ersn-
ing Star, Washiagton-Dear Sir: In compli-
snce with your request, now have the pleas
ure Of giving you some items in relation to
Japan, as TO its trade, improvement and ad-
vancement in the sciences since the admission
of foreigners into the country. and also the
political condition Of that country at the pres
ent time, which may interest you, or at least
be interesting 10 the readers Of your widely
circulated journal.
It is well known 10 all commercial nations
that in the year of 1858, the United States
Consul General at the port Of Simoda made
commercial treaty with the government of ia
pan, designating certain ports in that empire
to be opened on the 4th Of July, 1859. Fol-
lowing are the ports alluded to, viz Kama
gawa, principal port Of entry,) Hacodata and
Nagasaki; the latter port has been trading
with the Dutch for some centuries back.
Learning that Japan was to be thrown open
to the commercial world, hastened to return
to my native land, and arrived at Simoda in
June, 1859. / was much surprised to find that
so much improvement had already been made
In the arts, and manufacture of useful articles
for foreign markets, as we'll as finding persons
at the = Bazaar" who spoke a little English
On 4th July following I arrived at the port
Of KanagaWa, where found q new town be-
spo. hill ell IL ia
the Bay of Kanaga~a and Immediately oppo-
site, being just three miles by land and one
and a half by water from that village.
The treaty stipulated that American mer-
chants and traders should reside in Kanqgswa,
but the government Of Japan, finding there
was more space and better accommodations on
the opposite side Of the bay, gave orders to
the native contractors to build warehouses
and dwellings for the foreign merchants. The
native merchants also secured ground from
the government, and thus commenced to build
in May, 1859, what is now the aourishing city
Of YOko- hama. containing population of nine
thousand 70 000) inhabitants including six
hundred 5000 foreign residents, attracted by
the temptation of the large and increasing
trade Of this growing city.
The trade Of this town, which commenced
In July, 1859, as above stated, is new very
considerable, the exports amounting to (ac-
cording to correct data in my possession) from
"
ly OF tea, raw silk, wheat -four, lumber, cop
per wire, nails, sheathing, peas, indigo, blue
vitriol, biehe de mer (ish), camphor, coal,
raw cotton, charcoal, ginseng, iron, isinglass,
gall nuts. lacquered ware, oil of fish, japonica
seed, rape seed, &C., &c.
The monthly imports amount to S25, 900 or
$4,000, consisting principally Of WOODEN and
cotton fabrics, vermillion, zinc lead, Chinese
medicines, 81.
The trade Of Kanagawa is mainly carried on
between several different ports in China and
California, and lately the English merchants
have found it to their interest to make ship
ments directly to London and Liverpool, and
business seems to be increasing daily at this
port.
Since the return of the ambassadors from
their late mission to America, the effect of
their visit to this country is plainly visible in
the development Of more liberal views Of the
government in relation to commercial and So
oial intercourse with foreign nations.
The people Of japan are now fast adopting
modern Improvements in general sciences
such as agriculture, navigation, and use Of
steam power, art Of painting, drawing and
astronomy. In the latter science, however,
they were far advanced long before the ad-
mission Of foreigners into the country. The
people at large, are very anxious to learn the
English language and adopt the foreign man.
ner and custems.
Shortly before my departure from Japan, /
noticed that the japanese government issued
to their subjects q most important edict, by
which its subjects are empowered either to
charter or purchase foreign vessels for the
purpose Of trading direct with China, Califor-
mia, and all other ports Of the world.
Already beginning has been made (gov-
ernment setting the example), by purchasing
the American bark Z" Daniel Webster" !" at the
high price Of sixteen thousand Mexican dol
lars (S16 ,000) at the port Of Kanagawa, and
apofhar harkr 10 H.
chased at the port Of Haco-dsts, at eighteen
thousand CSlS,OOO) Mexican dellars, By the
government.
A vessel Of foreign rig has been fitted out
from Simoda by the native merchants, filed
with japanese products. and ordered by the
government to proceed on an experimental
trip. Her destination was supposed to be
Hong Kong.
Within the last few years the natives have
built about twenty-three vessels Of foreign
model, Of various sizes and rig-ah copied
from vessels coming to their ports from time
to time
. The political affairs of the country were in
deplOrsble condition at the time of my de-
parture. II was then rumored, and generally
believed by the masses, that the Tycoon Tor
EuPerorl had committed suicide By taking
poison.
The cause of this rash act was supposed to
be the apprehension, on his part, Of great
murderous attack made on the British Lega
ton az Yedo, BY the "Lonins'' Tor outlsWs).
In that event, several princes Of the empire,
who are opposed to him, wsuld take advan-
tage Of this trouble with England to assss-
sinste him, and therefore, he killed himself
IL is the custom in japan that when any Of the
high officers Of the empire, or even princes or
emperor are assassinated, It entails disgrace
s weu on the memory Of the unfortunate suf.
ferer as his surviving f0nily. This caused the
Tycoon TO destroy hims6f, as his father (who
Is the Prince Of Ki-shoe) would be disgraced
in the event OF bis death by others Notwith-
standing these widely circulated runors, the
government still persists in declaring that
there Is no truth in the matter or reports. 7
have observed, however, that Whenever any
report OF this kind reaches my ear through
the mass Of the native population. I generally
md IL confirmed and borne out by the devei-
opment Of facts in the course Of few months
after the frst report Is circulated, and there
fore am inclined 10 credit the report of the
demise of the young tycoon