Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-28
The Opening OF japan.


like a new star in the East. A quarter Of
century ago this old empire was hardly
known. Now there is none more talked of,
and there is none in all the East more hope
full, both TO civilization and Christianity,
than this lately discovered land. Our own
government has taken the lead in laying
open Japan. This she has done by firm,
persistent kindness and Christian diplomacy,
taking advantage of an accident for this pur-
pose. In 1881 Japanese junk, blown out to
sea, after drifting about for long time,
went ashore near the mouth of Columbia
river. Treated kindly on our Western shores,
these foreigners of strange features and race
were at length carried to Macao, where they
received the protection and care of both the
American and English residents. 1t was
decided to return them to their home and
through Them if possible, to obtain entrance
to Japan. Accordingly the ship Morrison
was fitted out by the American house of
King & Co. for this purpose, all her arma-
ment having been taken out the better to
show her pacific mission. The Morrison -
was fred upon in the bay of Yedo, and not
permitted to land. She was forced to re-
turn to China with her exies.
In 1916 the United States sent out the
first expedition under the command of Com.
modore Biddle. This expedition remained
ten days in the bay of Yedo, surrounded by
Japanese guard boats filed with soldiers
No one was allowed to land. The emperor's
answer to the letter of our government was in
single sentence. "No trade can be al
lowed with any country but Holland"
In 1919 the frigate Preble" went out on a
different mission-to obtain the release OF
sixteen American seamen who had beer
shipwrecked on the Japanese coast, and
were kept as prisoners in the country. Or
entering the harbor of Nagasaki, a larg'
lumber of boats attempted to prevent thu
| frigates further advance, but Captain Glynr
boldly sailed through them to good anchor
age Sixty cannon, in batteries on thu
| hills around, were trained to bear upon tn,
Preble's" decks, but her brave captain di,
not quail. Persisting in his demand, at tn
end of two days, the prisoners were released
and sent on board, when the frigate returned
to China.
In 1852 our government determined T.
make formal application for intercourse, AM
send this application by force large enough
to secure respectful reception. Twelve YES
sells, with their supply ships, were detaile
for this purpose, and put under command o
Commodore Perry. Commodore Perry er
tered the bay of Yedo in July, and had al
interview with two Japanese commissioner
on the 14th of that month.
Commodore Perry from the first adopte
the only policy that could be successful-frn
ness and courtesy, with dignity becomin
the time and place. He allowed no interior
ence with the squadron. The commission
ers of the emperor were met by officers O
lower rank from the Commodore's squadron
and the preliminaries discussed, the Cor.
modore himself only making his appearance
this nprnose Tie skilfullv combined q,
pressions of friendship and respect for tn
J,,,nase with the mower and inheritance q
,ha Auor;oor nation rh;s L;rd,oss a,
er,rnoss in dina t;no orered lana, r. III
Ifnitod statos ond o,hor Chr;s,;o,, nation,
hroo,i,c doun an Isolation and no,.;,te
oo,rsa nth tho civilized wor,d tbat bo
Ios,oa morn thon tuo brrdrod vo,rs ON
nntt;ro norretrol ord donhtless 70 tbe q,
,ua;,e ai;. IS 1aon
Ia.an haa a1.oaJ,, o,,o tho moot nom;
,.1 !.