The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-04-23
American Progress, Festive and
Political.
Hatsuma's Officers On Board the
United States War Vessels.
Money Claims of France on
the Tycoon
srLClal CORRESPONDENCE Or THE HERALD.


'ry---ntsuma's Officers on Board an Ameri-
,n War Vessel-DipIomntic Conference
ceuoh Money Claims-The Press Under
Observation-Disclosures OF the War and Re-
oa-gtion 10 Foreigners.
UNITED STATES STEAMSHIP ONEIDA,1
HIoGo, Japan, Feb 30, 1868. !
At sunrise on he 22d inst, Washington's birthday,
an our vessels displayedther bunting to the breeze
from main, fore and miZzen masts, and at meridian
O salute OF twenty-one guns was fred by each in
honor of the occasion, in which the English fleet
Joined us. The weather was unproptious dense
fog enveloping the mountain tops and drizzling
rain falling throughout the entire day and evening.
Notwithstanding this drawback all was gayety
and good humor. dinner was given by
our Consul General, Paul Frank, during the
evening at the Hogo Hotel. There were
present. our Minister, Mr.. Van Valkenburg,
and Consul General Frank, Ex-Governor VAIN
wright, OF California; Commander Earl English, Lieu
tenant Commander Stewart, Lieutenants Grinnen
and Ludlow, Paymasters Thomas L. Tullock, Jr., and
Bates, and First Assistant Engineer Littig, United
States Navy. Various foreign resident representa-
tives were present. also few American soJourners
in this locality.
The rooms were decorated with the flags of the
various nationalities and sumptuous repast prepar-
ed, which done justice to- Choice brands OF the
yintages France and Germany together with those
of the United States, sparked the board and
quafed to the memory OF the immortal Washington
First in peace first in and first in the hearts OF
his countrymen;'' then followed the toasts OF "The
President OF the United States" "The Army and
Navy &c, &c. Speeches were made by our Minis
ter, Consul, Ex-Governor Wainwright Lieutenant
Commander Stewart, Lieutenants Grinnell and Lud
low, paymaster Bates &C., &C, our Minister presid
ing and Consul acting crouper, the evening pass
mg over amid the feast Of reason and the flow OF
soul the assembly, about thirty in number, separating
about midnight.
The day was altogether, one Of pleasurahle associa
tons and reunions which will long be treasured in
the memory of many present as green spot in the
memory of the past.
The crews also enjoyed themselves to their utmost
on the occasion-vocal and instrumental music, with
dancing and drumming, forming the main feature.
The Japanese appear 10 be a people who enjoy
themselves immensely and almost without diurna
intermssion at present. Public masquerades are
INDUCED in, which are of the most grotesque and
mirth-provokng character, their turnouts and ward
robes in righteousness of design and ensemble, far
OutlOng the New York fantasticals
Notwithstanding their almost universal gravity Of
countenance they possessed Of rich fund OF
humor on occasion-of rather lasclvous character
notice their tattoong 10 be OF superior Kind,
almost equal to engraving.
One of the smallpox cases of the Iroquos has
proved fatal the burial taking place on the 23d inst.
On this day there is rumor prevalent among the
Japanese here OF the French having fired on some OF
the Princes vessels on the inland seas-it IL from
japanese source-and that they have made common
cause with the Tycoon; the presumption being, II
such an event has taken place, which doubt much,
II may result from the attack their force
atng Osaka and the shooting OF one OF their in
the groin at Kobe on the Attn inst, the occasion
Of the firing on unarmed foreigners and the con-
sular buildings, which led 70 onr subsequent de-
fensve measures. If any difficulty exist believe it
70 be not OF Sasum's seeking.
party OF five OF satsum's ofncers visited us on
the oath instant and were shown over the vessel
TFaav rffPfHla rly a fhn not
working OF our heavy guns back lanyards, eevating
and sights, and were much interested in the
railway track OF our eleven inch pivot gun, the diam
eter OF bore Of which they measured. They also
closely examined our proJectles, round shot, grape
and snrapnel, together with our small arms and
ammunition. After inspecting the spar deck they
next visited the engine room, where they examined
passages &c, which were explained to them, thence
10 the ward room, looking into the officers apart
ments and partaking OF some refreshments being
subsequently shown forward, where they inspected
the crews quarters, dspensBry, &c. all OF which
they examined with an inquring eye. Some OF them
understood and could speak English pretty well.
one OF them being asked by one OF our officers
how he drew his long handled sword-which they
hold IN the left hand-when in his belt, placed It |
there ana illustrating, suddenly withdrew IL with a |
swOop. Tie then approached on one knee, sealthiy,
looking keeny IN the eye Of his supposed adversary
and wnen at striking distance made desperate cut
across The lower eXtremities, describing circle on
reaching the arc Of which he suddenly threw the left
hand on the NIT assuming the erect position and |
bHecting the circles circumference with all the mus
euiar energy OF both arms and body, with a COM |
u,
ing INTO account the swords extreme length weight
and keenness Of blade, which IS with them universal.
They subsequently left expressing themselves mighty
Tley visited the British ron-clad ocean on the
2lst instant, when the crew OF that vessel went
through both howltZer drill and small arm exercise
eiecting landing IN the face OF "A supposed enemy
on shore. A number OF japanese troop laden steam.
ers passed up 10 Osaka ON The nights OF the I'D, 2th
and 18th nsfs.
ON the 27th three French sloops Of war and one
steam frigate arrived here in heavy blow They
"A
quart for their minister French troop ship fol-
lowed on the 10Th. merchant steamer arrived re-
here. WV ''''" ''s"''' a. '''''''''l - '"'
A conference Of the native princes and foreign
ministers took place here on the 10Th AT the Foreign
Legation ON the existing state OF affairs, the pro-
ceedIngs Of which did not transpire
Runner has 10 the French government mas recoV-
nized claim Of seven and half millions against nc
tycoon, ine recognition or payment OF which me
french Minister insists on 10y the princes ana mas
made sine ara non before either granting an
audience OF treating with Them also demanding
PREPARATION Tor the insult 10 their nag Az OSAKA, and
the princes have gone without seeing him, beng un-
willing OF unpeparcd TO agree 10 this initial propo-
sitlon On the other nand, 10 IL asserted that me
men Killed ana wounded by them in the collision tt
Osaka on the 2nd inst. ana that the princes have
signed commercial treaty with all foreign repre-
sentatiyes, excepting the French Minister who, It
would appear. has Unlimited TO them that ne viii
give them satisfaction II tley DO not comply with nus
demands. The French arc concentrating a large
Meet here, the ObcC Of which remains 90 be de-
grlOped, but which has an omnuus appearance.
The infant and err,rc Osaka and Hiovo Herald
mas suspended 20 subscribers. Cause gwen, the
printer has left Perhaps he was Disseminated by the
unsOpmsucated state OF society here. and disiiked
their ample display OF cutclc Or. ike the war horse
he may have scented the battle afar at All events
the great desideTatum here al present is disciple Of
Faust.
The visits OF tho Pacac Mail steamship Company,s
vessels are, like those Of angels few and far between
The following is from the OSAKA HtrdlJ hebdoma.
daD Of the 18th inst All parties seem 10 concede the
fact Of international commercial brotherhood and
the freedom OF the ports being established. The
Herald says;-.We nave great pleasure 10 announcing
Ministers from the Mikado's government the SUB
ec of the late attack made by the men Of Bzen upon
our settlement The Mikado admits the reasonable.
pess Of the foreign Minister'S demands, one OF which
understand Is the capital punishment OF the
offcer who gave the order to fire. The satisfactory
settlement OF this affair will facilitate the establish.
ment Of relations with the new government ~ u