The Sun. — 1863-02-23 (London, England)

INTERCOURSE WITH JAPAN.  The papers respecting affairs in Japan just laid before Parliament show how unpleasantly near we have been of late to a war with that country, owing to the murder of Mr. Richardson in September. The Japanese Ministers had sent notice to our embassy that the highroad would be required on the 15th and 16th for the Mikado's envoy, but unfortunately that personage tcok his journey on the 14th, and so came upon an unsuspecting English party who were riding out, and one of whom paid the penalty with his life. He was frightfully hacked, one cut extending from the shoulder down almost the entire length of the back, through which the lungs and part of the intestines protruded. The foreign residents helm a midnight meeting, at which the British consul presided ; it was stated that the Japanese party were sleeping at no great distance from Kanagawa, and it was unanimously resolved to request the naval authorities to land 1,000 men, and secure the person of the Daimio, or some of hie high officers. There were then 3 French, 1 Dutch, and four English men-of-war in port. A deputation immediately went on board the Euryalus, and Admiral Kuper rose from his bed and heard their statement. He declared himself ready immediately to meet and consult the diplomatic agents and foreign naval commanders, but having only arrived a few hours since, and being a perfect stranger to all the localities, he should not feel justified in taking active measures without first consulting with her Majesty's Charge d'Affaires. A meeting was accordingly held at 6 o'clock in the morning at the residence of the French Minister. The British Chargi'3, Colonel Neale, considered the proposed measures of coercion utterly impracticable, and tantamount tO a commencement of hostilities without even communicating with the Government of Japan—a proceeding altogether unjustifiable, and involuntarily engaging her Majesty's Government in a course of action W hich it had not contemplated. The admiral concurred in this view, and represented the difficulty that would arise as to the disposal of the Prince, if taken, and the danger to the lives and property of the whole Europ, an community. The French Minister was convinced by these reasons, and the matter was handed over to diplomacy, but the naval authorities determined to strengthen the force at each of the Legations, and establish patrols and reserves. Earl Russell has approved the judgment and forbearance displayed by Colonel Neale in resisting the pressure attempted to be put upon him, and which, if he had yielded to it, might have involved the British Government in hostility with Japan ; in demanding redress from the Mini& ters of the Tyccon he adopted the only course properly open to him. The papzrs show some result for the future from the demand thus made. Guardhouses have been established along the high road frequented by foreigners, and a new read was immediately begun specially for the Daimios and their retinues to use. The measure relieving the Daimios from attendance at Court will relieve Yeddo of above 200,000 two-sworded retainers, the class from among which has arisen every personal outrage or injury to foreigners in Japan. But as for the discovery of the murderers of Mr. Richardson it was still " proceeding.', The law requires the Diamio to be the person who arrests his retainer and hands him over to the Government, and though the Government had required several persons to be arrested and handed over to them, these persons had not yet been delivered to them. Colonel Neale was threatening to report to his Government that there was substantially a denial of redress. With regard to the arrangement made by Earl Russell with the Japanese Envoys, that on certain conditions the opening of further treaty ports should be delayed for five years—especially in the abolition of restrictions on the sale of goods to foreigners, on labour, and on free social intercourse with the people of Japan—Colonel Neale reports that the arrangement was recei.ved by the Japanese Government with unfeigned satisfaction as faras concernts, ed the consent to defer the opening of further por but the conditions attached were evidently unpa unpalatable. He reports in October that being therei is but into effect in the present state of our relations with slender probability of those conditions wcarried j3Pan.  Importing Tea without colour on the leaf prevents the Chinese passing off inferior leaves as in the usual kinds. Horniman's Tea is uncoloured, therefore, always Good teike. Sold in packets by 2,280 agent, - . .  _ ---By accounts from Belgium, we learn that genial weather is also prevalent there ; more than 1C days ago !he eltestuut trees wore in leaf and roses in blossom,