Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 10, Number 1400, 20 September 1855 — Japan. [ARTICLE]

Japan.

In addition to the news published in our yesterday's postscript, the following letter, descriptive of Japan, from the Evening News, will be read with interest :

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 17th, 1855. DEAR BARTLETT: — Believing that any information relative to Japan under existing circumstances, may interest you, I offer this as my excuse for intruding upon your attention, and avail myself of the opportunity to furnish you with a detailed account of my landing and three mouths residence in Japan, and such other information as my pioneer knowledge will justify me in presenting for your consideration. We sailed from Honolulu in February last for Hakodadi, where I intended to land and establish myself in business, if permitted to do so by the Japanese authorities. We touched at Simoda, where we found the crew of the late Russian frigate Diana, awaiting an opportunity to reach one of their own ports. Soon after our arrival our vessel was boarded by two Vice Governors, spies, interpreter and secretaries, who desired to know what we came for, how long before we intended to depart, &c., &c.; and on being informed that we wanted wood, water and fresh provisions, said we should be supplied on the following day. They evidently wanted to get rid of us as soon as possible. Five guard boats were stationed around the vessel when tlie authorities left us. Shortly after their departure we were boarded by the commander of the late frigate, who made overtures for the charter of our vessel. Terms being agreed upon, Vice Admiral Poutiatine addressed a note to the Governor of Simoda, requesting him to provide a storehouse for our cargo, and make some provision for the accommodation of the passengers, as he had engaged the vessel to take his crew away from Japan. The temple Yokushan, mentioned in the treaty of Kanagawa, was assigned to us. Our cargo was landed, and on the 22d of March we disembarked and took up our temporary residence in that country which for centuries has been like a sealed book, whose people have successfully preserved an incognito, and whose portals have been closed against all who would elevate them to a standard with and bring them into the family of nations, until thrown open by Commodore Perry, an event already chronicled as destined to mark an important era in the history of that empire, for it effects vitally the national policy of the government. We had been peaceably living at the Temple about one month, when the Governor of Simoda discovered that perhaps he had committed himself by permitting us to land, without a petition from us setting forth that we wished to stop on account of the Russians, &c. The Vice Governor, interpreter, secretaries and spies paid a visit at the Temple, when they desired to know if it was our original intention to stop at Simoda, and if we had not changed our plans because of the Russians, to which we replied, when the interpreter produced a letter addressed to the Governor, stating that we knew we had no right to live in Japan, but because the Russians had chartered the vessel we were compelled to stop, and desired us to sign it. We, of course, declined doing so. They were very indignant, and appealed to our sympathies — our friendship; and, finally, they said we must, and claimed a right to dictate our correspondence. I told the Vice Governor that I should report to my government by the ship Young America, then in port, all the proceedings of that interview. To my surprise, they desired me to make no mention of it. I then, in answer to a formal note from them, addressed a letter to the Governor of Simoda, a copy of which was forwarded to the Department by Com. Rogers. On the following day the authorities handed to one of the gentlemen of our party the enclosed Decree, written in the Japanese, Dutch and English languages. For what subsequently transpired I would refer you to the letters of Com. Rogers, whose efforts in our behalf were characterised by a degree of ability, coolness and sound judgment worthy of high respect and commendation. During my stay there I availed myself of the limits prescribed by the treaty, and walked the distance of from 14 to 18 miles on each of the four highways leading out of Simoda, and on each occasion I managed to evade the vigilance of the spies, who, when following us, always prevented our having social intercourse or communication with the people. In these journeys I was kindly treated by the inhabitants, who manifested great friendship for the Americans, and invited me into their houses when they offered me refreshments. I was (everywhere I went) greeted with — "How de do?" and both young and old, spoke of "Comodo Perry.'' From what I saw of the mass of the people of Japan, and I assure you I saw much of them, I have full confidence in saying they are endowed with an extraordinary degree of intelligence for a people isolated as they are. They are naturally shrewd, active, courageous, peaceable and generous, and hire an unconquerable desire to learn something of the world beyond their own country, of which they are altogether ignorant. It is true, every temple in Japan is a school house, where the mass of the male youth of the lower classes are taught to read and write, but their studies are confined to the history and biography of their own country — the higher branches being pursued only by those whose birth and rank entitle them to that privilege. I was informed by a very intelligent Priest, (Bonze,) with whom I frequently conversed, that it has been

an undeviating line of policy with the rulers in Japan to impress upon the minds of the young of all classes, the barbarity, insignificance and weakness of other nations of the world, when compared with the civilization, refinement and strength of their own. The merchant or trader is looked upon as a base hireling, who cheats and maintains himself at the expense of his fellow men; and the attaches of the Dutch Company at Nangasaki have repeatedly been instruments of the government of Japan in illustrating its contempt for these barbarians and traders. They have been subjected to the most humiliating offices, and gross indignities which have been heaped upon them by the minions of the Emperor, to all of which they have tamely submitted, thereby compromising all those principles of honor, independence and dignity which should characterize a people less enlightened than the Dutch, and for which they should be regarded, in the estimation of the civilized world, unworthy of respect. Though the merchants of Japan stand very low in the scale of favor with the Administration, they will at no distant period exercise a powerful influence over the popular mind, feelings and sympathies of the people, and give a direction to the train of thought that must naturally arise, growing out of their social and business relations now springing into existence between themselves and more enlightened nations, which may prove dangerous to the peace of the Empire, whose despotic institutions have thus long been maintained by a fearful power over a people whose loyalty has been the off-spring of fear, and whose ignorance of the world beyond their own territory, has lulled them to sleep in the arms of contentment.

At Simoda, where the Japanese have to a considerable extent been brought into contact with the Americans and Russians, the merchants already manifest a great desire to have the restrictions on trade removed, or some means adopted by which they can have direct communication with us, without the interference of the government; and they would, if permitted to do so, develope the commercial resources of their country, and bring about desirable results. Exclusive of valuable minerals, the growth of hemp, which, (was proved by Admiral Poutiation,) when compared with Russian hemp, sustains three times the weight of the latter. Rose, mahogany, camphor and other beautiful woods are very abundant, and will eventually become an important article in the trade between the United States and Japan. Her seamen are already impressed with the beauty and superiority of the ships that come from abroad, when compared with their own. While the Vincennes and Hancock were lying at Simoda, I was importuned by a number of Japanese mariners to procure for them service in these vessels.

Some of the officials with whom I conversed expressed a great desire to go to America, and in reply to my inquiry why they do not go, said in asking permission to go, they would incur the displeasure of their government, they would be removed from office, disgraced, and suffer such other punishment as his Imperial Majesty might inflict. If they should go without permission, their families would then suffer at the hands of the Imperial Government. I was assured by one of the interpreters, that the wives and families of all the Imperial Officers are compelled, by an Imperial decree, to reside at the capital, and are considered as hostages of the government for the good faith of its officers; and in the event of malfeasance in office, the entire family of the offender must suffer. In April last, the Governor of Nangasaki ordered a table and four chairs for his private room, which fact was reported by one of the Imperial spies, whereupon the Governor was forthwith removed and ordered to repair to the capital, upon a charge of violating an old established custom, and imitating foreigners, which was dangerous to the peace of the country, and a new Governor appointed to fill the vacancy. In March, the first Vice Governor of Simoda was removed upon a charge of conspiracy, because he was friendly to the Americans and Russians, and the spy who (it is thought) reported him was appointed his successor. The plausible (villain) Dutch interpreter who was present, and had much to say when the treaty was executed, has been elevated to the dignity of Officer of the Imperial Government, for his abilily as a negotiator, and zeal in behalf of his country. And, so far as I could learn, judge that his false interpretation of words, contained in said treaty, may yet involve both him and his country in some difficulty. He is looked upon by his countrymen, who are friendly towards us, as a dangerous, bad man, and one who likes to make foreigners much trouble, &c. I took considerable pains to inform myself in relation to the military prowess of the Japanese, and the result of my observations only satisfied me that they are little skilled in the art of war, and their knowledge of artillery very limited. I saw samples of their best powder which was very coarse, and fouls a matchlock after a very few discharges. I saw but one matchlock while I was in Japan. There are three copper (twelve pound) guns at Simoda, which form the principal defence of the harbor.

I was under the impression until just prior to my departure from Japan, that all those who are classed as soldiers and carry two swords, enjoyed the privilege of carrying steel ones, which are said to excel the old Toledo blades, but to my astonishment learned that they were only of wood, and subsequent examinations corroborated this fact! None but ofiicers are permitted to wear the genuine article. The government is now directing some attention to the defences of the country. It is erecting three water batteries, about four miles from the City of Jeddo, in the Bay. These batteries are to be mounted with guns, now being cast from Dutch drawing (patterns). A new work on gunnery, with illustrations taken from a Dutch publication, has just been issued at Jeddo, and distributed through the country. I procured a copy of it and afterwards presented it to an officer of the British Saracen. The Russian Admiral and his officers are united in their expressions of gratitude for the aid and kindness they received at the hands of the American officers of the Powhattan.

That the Japanese are a peaceable people, cannot be denied. I have never, during the three months I was at Simoda, witnessed a quarrel between two Japanese, and I have seen them under the most peculiar circumstances; when their boats and shipping got afoul in the harbor, which capsized one and badly damaged the other; but have never heard an angry expression escape their lips, and this may be considered a fair type of their national character.

They have been too long accustomed to treat with contempt, and insult with impunity, the representatives of an old nation, to entertain other than a magnified opinion of their own power; and until they are divested of that mistaken idea, by some nation making a bold entrance to the Bay of Jeddo, treaties with the Empire of Japan will amount to little, beyond what we may export from the Japanese reading of their treaty with the United States.

America, England, France and Russia are in the field. Each nation has opened for itself the door of communication, but the United States is in a position to accomplish more (and her commercial interests might require) than either of the other powers; and whatever is done by our government to open and develop the commercial resources of that Empire, would not only meet with the approval of the civilized world, but add another brilliant page to the history of our country, in which fame has already recorded the opening of Japan, by Com. Perry. The Japanese are impressed with the belief that our nation is too young to possess much strength, and this belief has been stimulated by extraneous influences, recently brought to bear upon the credulity of their government. They now think that nearly the entire naval force of the United States was concentrated upon their shores to effect the treaty. And I doubt whether they will be undeceived, until they receive another visit from our government, which, if made by a squadron composed entirely of ships unknown to them, could but have a beneficial effect and work a decided change among them. What I have here written is without prejudice, but the honest convictions of my own mind, after nearly four months almost uninterrupted social intercourse among the Japanese officials, merchants and others. Yours, truly, H. H. DOTY.

Old Wheat and Kiw. — The new Genesee wheat proves to be unfit as yet for grinding, most of it being damp. Hence, parcels of old wheat are eagerly sought for at full prices. E. X. Buell sold this morning 6,500 bushels, being part of a cargo from Canada, at *2 28. It was taken in lots for grinding. The wheat is a fair quality of mixed Canadian, abont two-thirds white. There is but little of this quality of wheat to be had at any price. — RoeketUr Am>riom, Jxtj. 18.