The New York herald., 1870-02-12
OUR COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH JArAN.
Condition OF the Observation-Disclosures Com.
plants from the American Minister Kcsi-
dent-Thc Mission 10 be dnds First Class.

From the Boston P0st
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 1870.
Secretary Fish has received q long and interesting
letter from Mr.. Q. f. belong, our Minister Resident
In Japan. He.gives full account OF his trip to aud
arrival ut his post Of duty. lie complains that be-
Ing but Minister Resident, he is Outranked BY the
English French Italian and Holland Minister'S: saws
that his salary sufficient and Il Is Impossible
for the American Minister to have influence Japan
to compete with other foreign Ministers II the po-
Sltl0n IL not made 1rst class. he says that our
receipts from duties for imports from Yokohama
alone were over $2soo.Ooo last year. and
Creasing throughout the seaport cities OF the empire.
The Pacific Mail Steamship Company mas given q
travellers are constantly pouring into Jeddo and
Yokohama on their tours round the world, and yet
the Minister and officers OF the Legation have nor
sufficient means from their pay TO treat their coun
trymen properly. He says that Jeddo will certainly
always be the capital OF Japan. and urges that Le
dence should be erected thero ~ once, and that a
guard OF say twenty five American soldiers should
De alw ays there under the command OF proper OIL.
GERS that man. .0fwar should always be IN port at
the service OF the Minister and Legation. This Ii
what all the other great Powers do. The
Japanese government respect only power
and tho show Of it. He Gays that the British
penses Of the Legation, houses, JAIL PSF ONCE,
ahnsh0use and hospital, and Is, therefore, enabled
to give proper entertainment. and does receive IN
consequence much attention from the Japanese
authorities. lie urges the erection Of post oiice,
jail and hospital, together with Minister'S resi-
hama. He contends that they are absolutely neces
sary, and the ground IN Jedd0 has been III the pos
awaiting the action Of Congress to erect the neces
sary buildings. He mas received notification from
the Japanese Ministers that the taxes must be paid
or the ground returned TO The Japanese govern
ment, which presented It to our government for the
purpose OF our erecting Legation buildings, Minis.
ter's residence. &C., upon 1t.
A GLOOMY ACCOUNT.
Mr.. DeLonz gave gloomy account Of the condi-
ton OF the Minister'S residence aud buildings used
by the legation and say these the best lhat can
be obtained FOR the rent paid, &c and that hours
connagration woald destroy them, with all the
MI lnt ,tu
belonging 10 our government. lie says the British
Minister mas notified nm that ne Will be compelled
and Mr.. DelOng contends that 1t ID very hUmilatnQ
to have tc depend on foreign power for such ncces
or great nation with whom we are striving to
establish commercial relations. &C. lie says the
opening OF the Pacific Railroad and the %.
tablisnment OF steamship line from JeaO
and Yokohama 10 San Francisco las revolutlonI2ed
Japan and that she VIII soon be OF the drst IN
importance IN commercial point OF view. He says
Congress must le9isate, and tnat quickly, or the
other Powers WIN gain many advantages over us:
that he feels the indign,ty OF his position when
brought in contact VITA tne japanese Ministers or
with the representatives or other Powers, With his
own countrymen, aud that he had much rather
resign or be recalled lnan occupy tie position under
such circumstances; ior, go placed, he felt that he
was without influence or power at court ana there
fore without abillLY To serve his country bcneaciay
lie deyote5 o numDer OF pages or his letter to the
subject OF naval force always to be retained az the
Japanese seaports ald along the coast. lie says the
Oneida ordered home; that two other vessels
were gold, aud that the Idaho was lately broken up
III q typloon, so that there is really no American
man-0War there to protect American citizens and
commerce and, from wnat lie can ascertain he leeis
that civil war VIII break out In some part
OF The empire. lie says the Mikado has purchased n
maii-of-w war from the English, which II Is gaid far
exceeds The SlOneWall IN lower. He fears no hos.
Tile acis from the Japanese government, but only
therefore urges the presence Of naval force always
IN the Japanese waters. Hs says the Japanese peo-
pie prefer to trade with our people, and this Of
course lrrltate5 other Foreigners and doubtless
many acts OF Violence are committed ut their instl
gallon Finally Dir. belong urges Secretary Fish
e. do sometaing in the matter in reference 10 ns
suggestions, at ms earliest convenience.
THE REMEDY.
Secretary Fish has taken the subject In hand with
earnest lie had yesterday and to-day consultations
with the President. who ~ In favor OF raising the
mission TO first class one; OF erecting all suitable
buildings At Jsddo and Yokohama, and or doing ali
that Is necessary 70 foster aud increase trade
commercial relations and Influence with Japan. In
this the secretary OF state entirely agrees. The
letter OF Minister Delong was read to the
secretary OF the Navy, anu that olcia has informed
states war vessels Benc,a, Colorado and Alaska,
under orders TO sail Tor Japan, would leave ior
their destination In few days, and that Otncr ves
sells would be sent soon as ready. Secretary Fish
also mad an interview with General Banks, chair
man OF the Committee OH Foreign Affairs, and gave
him copy OF the letter OF Minister belong and DIS
cussed with him the proposition for erecting
Minister'S residence and oiner suitable buildings.
TO mis- Committee bill looking to the proper appro-
prlatlon. II IS understood that tomorrow secretary
FIsh VIII formally lay before the President IN cab.
neJ session tue entire subject including the raising
Of Japan and China MISSIONS 10 first class.
KAILRoADs IN VIRaINIA.-The following are the
railroads In contemplation or IN course or construc-
ton IN Virginla:-The Chesapeake and ONO, Lynch
Durg aho chiffon Forge, Lynchburg and Danye,
Richmond and Lynchburg Fredericksburg and
G0rdonsvlle, Fredericksburg and Alexandra, VIM
chester and Stras burg, the Valley, UnontOwn and
West virginia, Richmond and Newport News, Balti-
moro and Potomac, Farmyflle and Buckingham,
Shenandoah Valley, Virginia and Kentucky, Clinch
Valley, Glade Spring and Laurel Sltye and Coal
ndt tha