New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-11-27
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Japan.


We have adyices by the late steamer from
Japan, which brought our consul shepherd
and other American residents at Yokohama.
From one of the gentlemen we gather inter-
estlng particulars in regard to that wonder
full country, and also in regard to the intro
ductiOn OF our new Minister, Mr.. bingham,
to the Temo, (Mkado.)
The audience was set with the Temo for ,
O'Clock on the eth ultimo, and at IL O'Clock
Mr.. Bingham, accompanied by Mr.. De Long,
the two secretaries of legation, aud other
gentlemen, repaired to Iedo to the "Iega-
tlon,' as it is called there. This is Il build
once used as a Buddhist temple, and at one
time. rented by the Japanese Government to
a former minister. \ half hour before the
time of the audience a mounted officer rode
up to the gate of the temple and informed the
Minister that carriages were in waiting, in
which the party were conveyed a distance of
some three miles. The palace of the TcmO
was recently burned, ana he is now living in
the Queen Dowagcr's palace. The carriages
were preceded by the mounted officer alluded
to, on both sides of whom ran "bettoes"
lrunners) in th7 Imperial uniform. In front
Of the officer was a squad OF mounted police
men to clear the way, and warn all people of
the Minister'S approach. The streets of Yedo
'lC h'iiioH, anu usually IlbNNcN WIN pcueS-
TRANS, bullock carts, and street hawkcrs OF
all kinds, but these were all gone on this oc-
casion. For the whole three miles the way
was lined on both sides with policemen in
uniform, who were careful to keep the road
perfectly clear. On the approach to the pal
ace regiment of Japanese soldiers were
drawn up in two lines, between which the
party passed on through an immense arch
way paved with great square blocks of gran
lite, and from that through another alchway
to an inner court, shaded here and there with
immense trees, whose wide-sprcading branch
eS and huge gnarled trunks betOkrucd the
growth of centuries. From this second court
the party were conducted through the garden,
or more properly the park of the palace. 1t
is surrounded as were each o. the court yards
with a stone wall not less than thirty feet
in thickness. Il have read off, says our in
formant, English landscape gardening and
the ancient manOrs or castles OF that country,
but never expect to see even in England
more tasteful OrnamentatiOn or greater cX-
tent than is visible in the park about the
Temo's palace. For miles you walk through
perfect fairy land 1t is like page from
the Arabian Nights with its trees trimmed
in every fantastic shape, its artificial mounds
and lakes, and its wealth Of foliage and
flowers"
Like other Japanese buildings, the palace
is deceptive in appearance, and it Is not until
you have travelled a day or so through its
long corridors and its innumerable rooms that
you begin to suspect its true size.
The party were received at the entrance of
the palace by the Prime Minister, the Minis
ter for Foreign affairs, the Grand Chamber
lain, and other officers, all clad in court
dress, and conducted to Il large, iinely-iur-
ed room, where refreshments were served,
after which they were conducted to the re.
ceptiOn room, where his Majesty stood to re-
ceiye the them. Says our informant: ale i
very intelligent looking young man ofmcdun
height, and on this occasion was clad in .
suit Of red and white, somewhat similar to a
Dragons uniform. After Mr.. DE Long had
made a brief farewell address, and it had
been responded to by the Temo, he intro
duced Mr.. Bingham, who said
Your Imperial Majesty has already been
| advised, through your Majesty's illustriOu-
Minister for Foreign affairs, that have been
! appointed and commissioned Envoy Extra
! ordinary and Minister Plenipotcntiary Of the
| United States of America to reside near yOul
majcsty's Government.
"Obcdient To the instructions Of my Gov
| eminent, and to my own sense Of duty "a
! we'll, it shall be my cndeayOr by good office.
| to strengthen 80 far as | may be able the
| friendship now happily subslsting between
| your Majesty's Government and my own
| and to advance the interests Of both. 1t is q
| pleasure TO me to say that / but obey the in
structions OF the President, who commission
| ed me, when | assure your Majesty that you
/ have the goodwill of the President, and Of
| the United States Of America, and their best
wishes for the prosperity OF Your Majesty
and the people Of Japan. The people whom
/ represent are not unmindlul Ot the trust anC
confidence uniformly manifested by yOur
/ Maiesyt's Government toward the Govern
ment and citizens OF the United States.
| Thanking your Majesty for the dlstin
guihed consideration shown me, and sincerely
desiring that the growing Empire Of the Eas
may continue 10 advance with the adyancin.
civilization Of the age, have the honor Il
place ia your Majesty'1 hands my letter 0
credence signed by the President, and au
thenticaled by the great seal Of the Unite'
States OF America.
THE TENO's REPLY.
1--WE are most happy to receive this letle
from the President Ot the United States, an
nouncing TO us that you have been sclecte'
and c0mmiss stoned Envoy Extraordinary an,
Minister PlcnipotentIary, accredited II tai
court.
1--WE have full conf Hence that iu!ElIln,
the functions iutruated 10 you, you will us
your best endeayors, guided by experience
fidelity, and prObity, to increase the FRIENDSHIP
between both nations and 10 advance on
mutual interests.
.'Our ardent hopes and wishes are tia
your country may continuously be IN pcae'
and prosperity"
After the addresses the party retired
backing from the presence Of the 1'emo, as !
the custom.
II will be noted, says oDr Informant, tina
Mr. Bingham was received by the Teino in
way that was itseB compliment 10 tn
American people. lie Che 1emO) was with
out throne, royal robes, sceptTe, or an
other symbol OF imperial power, and by IN
simplicity Of his reception and his unassuin
ing attitude, paid indirect homage TO the Sim