New Orleans Republican., 1873-07-27
A HOOsier Abroad.

1t was only last week that the honors
and congratulations of this solidly sleepy
city of the Wabash were extended witA all
possible expressions of enthusiasm and
pride to the lucky boy of Lafayette and his
newly-married wife. Before starting across
tbs Pacific to his post Of duty in Japan.
General George 3. Williams dropped in
upon his brother. the Hon. John 5. Will
liams, for bret visit, and to look upon his
old neighbOrs and friends. where five years
ago he was nothing more than dashingly
brilliant young man. and one of the force of
clerks and employees IN leading Wholesale
| house. Five years of attention to business
and watching the main chance have raised
the young gentleman to position and
emolunen.s that are sufficient TO crafty
any reasonable ambition. whether he is
satisfied with them or not.
Despite the fact that George. as every
body here calls him, Was in exceeding close
kinship with the leading lights OF the
Democratic party, yet his personal popu-
larity, business capacity, lucky connections.
some. or all of these things combined, OF
tanned him the position at Washington, in
1859. OF assistant commissioner of snterna!
revenue. It may be inferred that his ser
vices in the department commanded the
appreciation OF those to whom :hey were
best known, from the fact that when the
government of Japan inquired at Washing
ton for some American to 90 to Japan and
institute q revenue system similar TO that
of the United States, the parties consulted
pointed to Mr.. Williams He was selected
for tho duty, and engaged at snug little
salary Of $4,000 per annum. in gold with
all expenses paid.
He went on to the court Of the Emperor.
and proceeded to the discharge of the duties
signed him as an officer OF the govern
ment and the financial teacher of the ma
ton. La the course of year or so another
evidence OF his success in the new position
was developed. The government had abo!-
ished the system OF sertdOn or absolute
slavery, under the Daimos, who held nearly
all the lands of the empire and the absolute
power OF life and death over their subjects
or elaves. and had contiscated their bond.
to the general government. Not wishing.
however. to do great injustice 20 the
Daimlos. and. more likely, not prepared to
was first agreed by the government to re.
turn them an annual rental as an indemnity
for the somewhat summary disturbance Of
their status and ownership Of estates.
But it was finally thought best for the
empire to raise the money if 1t could be
done by large loan. and pay Oft the
Daiirios at one stroke whatever was their
due and to have the matter settled with
them once for all. The amount OF money
required was abou. :l2,o00O90. To ney0-
tiate this loan, Mr.. Williams was appointed
special commissioner to England by the
japanese govern For q year past he
has been in London most of the time, work.
ing up the negotiations. and has been sue
cesstui. He placed ST., 800, 900 of the Japan.
ese bonds with capitalists OF England to run
twenty wears at seven per cent. and real.
lied niEcty-twO per cent on the entire
amount. This little errand completed. he
shipped roUn! to San Francisco, where he
completed negotiations with the beautiful
young widow who nov returns with him to
Japan.
SO much for the lucky boy of Lsfayette.
What Is there left to be desired. In tn.
office CT the Hon. John s. Williams. OF
Lafayette. are deposited some yery rich
presents bestowed by the Emperor and
other high dignitaries upon the popular
American officer. II is not possible, per.
haps. 10 give such a description OF the ar,i-
cies as wIli convey 20 those who have not
seen them an idea OF their richness and O:
their wonderful! beauty Of workmanship;
First. there are two rolls Of Japanese sill.
aorlc oi different patterns. such as ROYALTY
only could be supposed to wear. Th.
fabric Is closely woven, of the finest silk, ii.
elaborate figures. and interIaced with
threads OF gold wrought into scidea flow.
ers, producing a gorgeous effect. 4 cashc:
OF JeWeiry ~ perhaps the choicest of TIE
articles, special gitt OF the Emperor. Thi.
is q smal, standing case some six or eight
inches high. opening in the front by wv"
folding doors. behind which s1; small
drawers are placed. The design is not in.
like miniature bank safe. Til. ana.
terlai Is ivory. with trimmings. .i.-
ures and flowers OF SOLID gold .niaid.
There are several boxes tor writing ma
terlalS and other purposes whose workman.
ship Is inguiar commentary on the skill
OF a Pagan nation. The exquisite pereec-
tion OF their finish is simply wonder past
explanation. The painting. enameIing, in
layin. and pictUring with gold and silver
lacquer is out OF the range %. suca skill: az
Christian nations can display. A careful
examination o: the work shows the most
beautiful! landscapes. with all the happy
combinations OF mOuntain, valley. forest,
meadow and stream. What is peculiar and
Beyond explanation, there is no scene nor
design on anything without a moon in some
corner or at some point of the picture,
Probably the cOnstan: presence of this OBJ
Ject is due to some superstition or whim of
the race.