The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1873-12-27
RICHMOND WAYNE COUNTY, INDIANA DEC a. 1878

third class ticket to Yeddo. eigh-
teen miles away, was only 371 cts,
but that was just 121 cents more
than I had in the world. I was
not discouraged. I called upon
Mr.. Miller, presented my letter and
asked the loan of $25, which was
given with cheerful alacrity. At
Yeddo I met Mr., De Longs inter
prefer, by whom was introduced
to the interpreter OF the Court. who
a meeting between myself
and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
But little was done at this inter
view. Two weeks slipped away,
and my purse was again empty. ]
went back to Yokohama, saw Cap
tain Lane, agent of the Pacific
Mail Company, told him what had
brought me to Japan, enlarged up
on the benefits that must accrue to
the company in the event of my
success, and borrowed of him $50
Mexican dollars. At the end of two
months Captain Lane advanced me
$3.50 more, and this SUM carried
me through"
"Then you met with extraordinary
success" said /.
"Well, yes, but I had to over
come many difficulties, as you shall
learn. Aided by Mr.. De Long, /
was soon enabled to lay my plans
before the Ministers. I found them
very intelligent, quick to perceive,
willing to listen and learn, and
prompt to act. But now came my
trials. You know that every gov.
ernment that is in commercial in
tercourse with Japan has its own
mail service. Our Consuls act as
postmasters, and 80 do the French,
British, and German Consuls. The
British Consuls who had everything
their own way in Japan until the
arrival of Mr.. De Long, we're vio-
lently opposed to me and my plans.
So were our own Consuls. What
ever they could do to embarrass
me and prevent action by the gov
ernment they lost no time in doing.
But for this influence I should have
accomplish my object in two or
three months at farthest. But I
succeeded at last, and to my'great
Joy an imperial edict was issued
establishing a Post.office Depart
ment, with Mayshimi Hiaska as
Postmaster General. I was ap-
pointed His Imperial Majesty's
SPECIAL COMMISSIONER
to negotiate postal treaty with the
United States, Great Britain,
France, and Germany, and my sal
ary fixed at 5000 Mexican dollars
per annum, with an allowance of
$500 month for travelling expen-
ses, railroad fare and like expenses
being extra. His Majesty allowed
me $500 to compensate me for the
delay to which I had been subject
ed, and $500 more for passage mo-
ney by steamer to the United
States.'
''How have you succeeded with
the authorities at Washington" ]
asked.
every well, indeed" was the re-
ply. Il have negotiated a treaty
with this government which is very
favorable. The rates of postage
are to be fifteen cents per ounce
for the first year, and twelve cents
thereafter. The rates will not be
raised even should the subsidy paid
to the Pacific Mail Company be
Withdrawn, each government agree
ing to pay its due proportion of The
| carrying expenses. The treaty hat
just been confirmed by the Imperi
al Government
Mr.. Bryan sailed for Havre OF
Saturday. From Havre he goes t.
Paris, and after negotiating a treaty
with France he visits Berlin and
London. He expects to accomplish
his mission and return to the Uni
ted States by next July. When h
comes back he will have the die
for the japanese stamps engraved
and purchase a large quantity o
bags and bagging, and other ma
terial needed for the mail service
He has an assistant ut $1,000 ,
year, and two clerks at 50, 500 each
to travel with him. While May
shimi Hiaski is nominally Postmas
ter General of Japan,
BRYAN Is THE REAL HEAD
of the department. Itwas at Bry
ans suggestion that Mayshimi Hi
aski was raised from an inferio
clerkship in the Finance Depart
ment to the position he now occu
pies, and the grateful chief is tn
young Americans most devote
friend.
Japan has never had what coul
be called a postal service. Their
was a sort of postal express thrt
differ ent parts of the island, but
did not meet the requirements {
the people. The government
lnow for the first time having su,
veys made, with the view of estaf
fishing post roads, and the worl
Mr.. Bryan thinks, will be finishe
before his return.
Lives there man with nose so re
l whn never To himsnlf hath aaid 81