And now, continuing in our look at the United State's first expedition to Japan via Commodore Perry and his famous/infamous Black Ships. Japan - It's A Wonderful Rife is utilizing newspapers of the day to give a more accurate feel to the event—rather than the typical clinical look of a text book.
You're welcome.
This, and other documents I have come across were nodded in my general direction by Vinny and came from the Newsbank/Readex database of Early American Newspapers (www.readex.com).
This opinion/news article is counted from the November 22, 1852 edition of the Charleston Courier of Charleston, South Carolina in the U.S. of A. I should note that I also found the exact same piece written on November 18, 1852 from the Washington Daily National Intelligencer newspaper which is mentioned in the article, but the article's mention left me scratching my head. As well, the original article presented in the Intelligencer was far longer.
As you are hopeful aware (but in case you are not), Commodore Perry's voyages to Japan was part of an attempt of the U.S. to open up trade relationships with Asia as it flexed its international muscles to show Great Britain it was at least its equal as a world power. While there is no denying the status and power evoked by the name United States of America in 2013, in 1852 it wasn't quite there yet -- in my opinion.
And this coming from a Canadian born in England of Indian parents who lived in Japan for a few ears. We who would be Canadians (okay actually British Troops) once burned down the U.S. presidential house - the White House - back during the War of 1812… when it was later rebuilt and painted white. You're welcome.
The sacking and burning of Washington by British and Canadian troops was a coming of age for the fledgling United States - so, calling the U.S. a world power only 50 years after President Madison had to ride out of town - well, let's give the U.S. props for its efforts in Asia.
Yeah, I like history and studied U.S., Canadian and British history in university when I got my political science degree before going into journalism.
Or, so I believed. Have a look at the newspaper article below and hear what the media had to say about the U.S. attempts at opening up trade routes to Asia and what it may have meant to them.
The following newspaper article is a real eye-opener as either what the U.S. wanted with China and Japan, or what it wanted the average citizen to know about the Expedition. Who can really tell?
On with the show, this is it:
The Exploring and Scientific Expedition to the Pacific
We have heretofore announced that the United States Government was fitting out, in addition to the Japan expedition proper, another one for surveying and exploration in that quarter of the world—and the fact that this last expedition may co-operate to some extent, at some future time, with the former, has led many of the papers to confound the two, so that the vessels and armament comprising each have lately been given in detail as belonging to the one expedition.
The fact is that the two expeditions are under separate commanders, as we long ago announced—that for Japan proper being under Commodore M.C. Perry, and that for the explorations more particularly under Commander Cadwalader Ringgold.
For this last expedition, Congress has appropriated $125,000, and the National Intelligencer, having been at some pains to obtain all the material points embraced in its plans and objects, gives the following interesting details:
About the first of January next an expedition will depart from the port of Norfolk for the performance of important and arduous duties in the far-off seas and islands of the Pacific ocean.
Its objects will be to survey portions of the China and Japan seas, the route between China and California, and the North pacific ocean in the region of Behring's Straits.
It may probably also ascend the Sea of Tartary, to make some examinations needed for the advantageous prosecution of commercial enterprises in those comparatively unknown waters.
In the North, however, it will no doubt find a very wide field for its operations in making such investigations as are desirable for the furtherance of our important interest in the whale fisheries.
The Sandwich Islands will for a time be the principal rendezvous of the vessels of this expedition; but it is not unlikely that its arrival at Japan will be so timed as to make it available in facilitating the efforts of Commodore Perry whose fleet will tarry a considerable time in the vicinity of those Islands.
This expedition will consist of—First. The sloop of war Vincennes, Commander Cadwalader Ringgold, with Lieut. F.A. Budd and other officers not yet designated, and 175 men. This sloop is now at New-York.
Second. The steam propeller John Hancock, Lieut. John Rogers commanding, with 60 men. She is now undergoing thorough repairs at Boston.
Third. The brig Porpoise, Lieut. H.P. Davis commanding, with 60 men. She is now at New-York.
Fourth. A tender, to be called The Pilot, with about twenty men. We believe her commander is not yet chosen.
The passed midshipmen, midshipmen, and many other officers are not yet designated.
The most eminent medical skill in the service will be detailed, and scientific men in every department will be selected with reference to their high reputation and eminent suitableness for the duties in view.
The crews will also consist alone of young, healthy, vigorous and efficient seamen; men capable of enduring all the requisite labor and privations, and intelligent enough to appreciate the importance and salutary results of our mission upon which they are to be sent.
In every particular, this expedition will be thoroughly prepared for the work before it. The vessels will all be peculiarly adapted for it in their construction and equipment.
All the late and well-established improvements in the machinery of steamers have been introduced into the John Hancock; and the boats have been constructed in the best manner, with special reference to the contemplated surveys.
In the selection of the requisite armaments, efforts have been successfully made to obtain the most perfect of every kind and as such as will prove efficient in their appropriate uses.
This Sharp's breech loading rifle, with Maynard's primer, and Colt's improved revolver, will occupy their places among the small arms.
In the scientific departments the same circumspection is manifested. The astronomical instruments are obtained through the National Observatory at Washington, and are of the very best quality.
Many of them, we understand, have been made in this city, under the supervision of Mr. Wunderman, and posses the advantage of all the improvements suggested in the experience of the coast and topographical surveys, and of the naval service.
We are assured, indeed, by those who are competent to judge of their merits, that instruments so perfect and well adapted to their uses could not be elsewhere obtained, either in this country of in Europe.
Scientific and miscellaneous libraries, for the uses of both the officers and men, have also been provided; and thus the best means of preserving order and discipline, and of securing improvements, will constantly be at hand.
The means of collecting information in natural history have been exceedingly well cared for, even to the most minute particular, inasmuch that a complete photographic apparatus will form part of the implements supplied.
In the stores of these vessels the same particular regard is had to all the possible wants of the journey. Clothing adapted to the many vicissitudes of the varying climates; food of the most wholesome and fitting kinds; preventives and remedies for the scorbutic affections so generally attendant upon long voyages--these, and all other precautions, suggested by experience and benevolence, have been provided so liberally as to give every assurance of the safety and welfare of the several crews.
We understand that this expedition will probably consume three years in the accomplishment of its varied and, important work, and in returning to the Atlantic coast.
Editor's Note: Here, the Charleston Courier notes that the Intelligencer goes on a bit - and does not include those remarks in its own copy. Below this copy with a note, I will include the original Intelligencer material, so you may get a more complete view of what is going on.]
The Intelligencer indulges in some general remarks on the great prospective importance of this expedition, in view of the ultimate opening of the immense sources of trade in that quarter, and when our western mercantile cities may be connected with the ports of the Pacific by railroad and telegraph--preliminary to which our national vessels should at once make our flag a familiar object in every inlet in the great Pacific ocean, and our enlightened and scientific navigators form clear and accurate charts thereof.
The Intelligencer closes with the annexed tribute to Hon. J.P. Kennedy and Commander Ringgold:
We are gratified in being able to state, in connexion with this subject, that the preparation and equipment of this expedition has proved to the presentable and accomplished Secretary to the Navy a highly agreeable task, and that he has manifested a prompt and commendable appreciation of the project, and has evinced the utmost liberality and most resolute determination to have everything executed and provided in an acceptable and efficient manner.
The command of the expedition also devolves upon one whose courage, whose ability, whose past services, and whose humane feelings and generous and elevated character afford an ample guarantee that success will attend his efforts, and that his labors will prove worthy the admiration and gratitude of his countrymen.
You're welcome.
This, and other documents I have come across were nodded in my general direction by Vinny and came from the Newsbank/Readex database of Early American Newspapers (www.readex.com).
This opinion/news article is counted from the November 22, 1852 edition of the Charleston Courier of Charleston, South Carolina in the U.S. of A. I should note that I also found the exact same piece written on November 18, 1852 from the Washington Daily National Intelligencer newspaper which is mentioned in the article, but the article's mention left me scratching my head. As well, the original article presented in the Intelligencer was far longer.
As you are hopeful aware (but in case you are not), Commodore Perry's voyages to Japan was part of an attempt of the U.S. to open up trade relationships with Asia as it flexed its international muscles to show Great Britain it was at least its equal as a world power. While there is no denying the status and power evoked by the name United States of America in 2013, in 1852 it wasn't quite there yet -- in my opinion.
And this coming from a Canadian born in England of Indian parents who lived in Japan for a few ears. We who would be Canadians (okay actually British Troops) once burned down the U.S. presidential house - the White House - back during the War of 1812… when it was later rebuilt and painted white. You're welcome.
The sacking and burning of Washington by British and Canadian troops was a coming of age for the fledgling United States - so, calling the U.S. a world power only 50 years after President Madison had to ride out of town - well, let's give the U.S. props for its efforts in Asia.
Yeah, I like history and studied U.S., Canadian and British history in university when I got my political science degree before going into journalism.
Or, so I believed. Have a look at the newspaper article below and hear what the media had to say about the U.S. attempts at opening up trade routes to Asia and what it may have meant to them.
The following newspaper article is a real eye-opener as either what the U.S. wanted with China and Japan, or what it wanted the average citizen to know about the Expedition. Who can really tell?
On with the show, this is it:
The Exploring and Scientific Expedition to the Pacific
We have heretofore announced that the United States Government was fitting out, in addition to the Japan expedition proper, another one for surveying and exploration in that quarter of the world—and the fact that this last expedition may co-operate to some extent, at some future time, with the former, has led many of the papers to confound the two, so that the vessels and armament comprising each have lately been given in detail as belonging to the one expedition.
The fact is that the two expeditions are under separate commanders, as we long ago announced—that for Japan proper being under Commodore M.C. Perry, and that for the explorations more particularly under Commander Cadwalader Ringgold.
For this last expedition, Congress has appropriated $125,000, and the National Intelligencer, having been at some pains to obtain all the material points embraced in its plans and objects, gives the following interesting details:
About the first of January next an expedition will depart from the port of Norfolk for the performance of important and arduous duties in the far-off seas and islands of the Pacific ocean.
Its objects will be to survey portions of the China and Japan seas, the route between China and California, and the North pacific ocean in the region of Behring's Straits.
It may probably also ascend the Sea of Tartary, to make some examinations needed for the advantageous prosecution of commercial enterprises in those comparatively unknown waters.
In the North, however, it will no doubt find a very wide field for its operations in making such investigations as are desirable for the furtherance of our important interest in the whale fisheries.
The Sandwich Islands will for a time be the principal rendezvous of the vessels of this expedition; but it is not unlikely that its arrival at Japan will be so timed as to make it available in facilitating the efforts of Commodore Perry whose fleet will tarry a considerable time in the vicinity of those Islands.
This expedition will consist of—First. The sloop of war Vincennes, Commander Cadwalader Ringgold, with Lieut. F.A. Budd and other officers not yet designated, and 175 men. This sloop is now at New-York.
Second. The steam propeller John Hancock, Lieut. John Rogers commanding, with 60 men. She is now undergoing thorough repairs at Boston.
Third. The brig Porpoise, Lieut. H.P. Davis commanding, with 60 men. She is now at New-York.
Fourth. A tender, to be called The Pilot, with about twenty men. We believe her commander is not yet chosen.
The passed midshipmen, midshipmen, and many other officers are not yet designated.
The most eminent medical skill in the service will be detailed, and scientific men in every department will be selected with reference to their high reputation and eminent suitableness for the duties in view.
The crews will also consist alone of young, healthy, vigorous and efficient seamen; men capable of enduring all the requisite labor and privations, and intelligent enough to appreciate the importance and salutary results of our mission upon which they are to be sent.
In every particular, this expedition will be thoroughly prepared for the work before it. The vessels will all be peculiarly adapted for it in their construction and equipment.
All the late and well-established improvements in the machinery of steamers have been introduced into the John Hancock; and the boats have been constructed in the best manner, with special reference to the contemplated surveys.
In the selection of the requisite armaments, efforts have been successfully made to obtain the most perfect of every kind and as such as will prove efficient in their appropriate uses.
This Sharp's breech loading rifle, with Maynard's primer, and Colt's improved revolver, will occupy their places among the small arms.
In the scientific departments the same circumspection is manifested. The astronomical instruments are obtained through the National Observatory at Washington, and are of the very best quality.
Many of them, we understand, have been made in this city, under the supervision of Mr. Wunderman, and posses the advantage of all the improvements suggested in the experience of the coast and topographical surveys, and of the naval service.
We are assured, indeed, by those who are competent to judge of their merits, that instruments so perfect and well adapted to their uses could not be elsewhere obtained, either in this country of in Europe.
Scientific and miscellaneous libraries, for the uses of both the officers and men, have also been provided; and thus the best means of preserving order and discipline, and of securing improvements, will constantly be at hand.
The means of collecting information in natural history have been exceedingly well cared for, even to the most minute particular, inasmuch that a complete photographic apparatus will form part of the implements supplied.
In the stores of these vessels the same particular regard is had to all the possible wants of the journey. Clothing adapted to the many vicissitudes of the varying climates; food of the most wholesome and fitting kinds; preventives and remedies for the scorbutic affections so generally attendant upon long voyages--these, and all other precautions, suggested by experience and benevolence, have been provided so liberally as to give every assurance of the safety and welfare of the several crews.
We understand that this expedition will probably consume three years in the accomplishment of its varied and, important work, and in returning to the Atlantic coast.
Editor's Note: Here, the Charleston Courier notes that the Intelligencer goes on a bit - and does not include those remarks in its own copy. Below this copy with a note, I will include the original Intelligencer material, so you may get a more complete view of what is going on.]
The Intelligencer indulges in some general remarks on the great prospective importance of this expedition, in view of the ultimate opening of the immense sources of trade in that quarter, and when our western mercantile cities may be connected with the ports of the Pacific by railroad and telegraph--preliminary to which our national vessels should at once make our flag a familiar object in every inlet in the great Pacific ocean, and our enlightened and scientific navigators form clear and accurate charts thereof.
The Intelligencer closes with the annexed tribute to Hon. J.P. Kennedy and Commander Ringgold:
We are gratified in being able to state, in connexion with this subject, that the preparation and equipment of this expedition has proved to the presentable and accomplished Secretary to the Navy a highly agreeable task, and that he has manifested a prompt and commendable appreciation of the project, and has evinced the utmost liberality and most resolute determination to have everything executed and provided in an acceptable and efficient manner.
The command of the expedition also devolves upon one whose courage, whose ability, whose past services, and whose humane feelings and generous and elevated character afford an ample guarantee that success will attend his efforts, and that his labors will prove worthy the admiration and gratitude of his countrymen.
[Baltimore Sun.
Interesting, eh? Sorry, my Canadian slipped out. Take off, you hosers! First... some personal comments:
Check out the spelling of 'New York' - it's hyphenated as 'New-York'!
Now, did anyone else feel that the style of writing in this piece was a mite difficult to savvy? Hell, the first paragraph was 80 words long! One should not go over 35 words - which is about what one can speak without needing to take a breath - and I say that despite having a 48-inch chest and the ability to not need to breath when I perform certain activities.
I know people say that today's youth is ignorant, but I'm betting the average person in the America's at this time was not all that educated. If they could read this article, mayhaps not all could read it at a speed the average reader can. There's simply a lot of passive writing - and of self-importance - in this and other newspapers I have recently come across. It's just a personal observation, of course, and I'm not saying I'm correct, but it is just an opinion, and one's opinion is always correct.
Does anyone know why the number 60 is written numerically, but 20 is written out as 'twenty'? Nowadays, I have seen 1-9 written out (one-two-three, etc.) and numbers higher written numerically.
As for the proverbial 'We" utilized in the piece - we here at Japan - It's A Wonderful Rife love it!
By the way - Cadwalader? I wonder why that name is just not seen anymore.
I was also amused by the fact that the report made mention of a Mr. Wunderman, but failed to present his given name.
And finally… a newspaper article that mentioned the photographic apparatus… that was my whole reason raison d'être (reason for being) for starting a search into Commodore Perry and the Japan Expedition. I will describe the photography and art of this voyage soon enough.
And now, presented for your perusal, here's is the missing part of the article as originally presented by The Intelligencer a few days before making it into Charleston Courier and Baltimore Sun:
In this time it will traverse the waters of many of the hitherto unfrequented regions bordering upon the Pacific Ocean. On the one side are the coasts of California and Oregon: on the other, the regions of Kamtschatka and the islands of Japan; in the north, to a very high degree of latitude, the scenes of our adventurous whalers; and in the south, the countless islands of the ocean, so imperfectly known to the civilised nations of the Earth, yet many of them inhabited by human beings whose condition challenges our pity, and whose characteristics invite the scrutiny of the Warned and too curious.
One of the most remarkable, and to us most interesting island groups in the world is the Sandwich Islands. They form the natural stopping-place for all the vessels plying between China or Japan and the coasts of California.
They are already the established resort of our whaleships, six hundred of which have already taken harbour there within a single year, and not a few of them, with the meagre facilities now existing, transferring their cargoes at these ports.
In the lapse of but a few years more they will constitute the great commercial depot of many nations. Through them will pass the tidings from China that will be thence received as news in London some twenty or thirty days later.
At present a sail vessel can make the voyage from Canton to San Francisco in forty-five days; but it is thought that ocean steamers, which must necessarily touch at the Sandwich Islands, will accomplish it in sixteen, or even fourteen days: The passage from San Francisco to Panama now occupies twelve days. When the railroad shall be completed the sixty miles transit across the Isthmus will be made in three hours; and thence to New York in eight days.
But how long will the Isthmus be the way of transit from the Pacific to the Atlantic shores?
Who can tell?
The Western states of this Union are neither listless nor idle. They are alive to their interests and full of enterprise. They will soon connect their mercantile cities with the ports of the Pacific by railroads and telegraph wires. Before many years shall pass, not only will the Canton news be transmitted by telegraph from San Francisco to St. Louis, and thence to the Atlantic coasts, within sixteen or eighteen days after the occurrence of the incidents at Canton, but chests of tea and bales of silks, by the same conveyance across the ocean, will be there opened within a few brief days thereafter; and St. Louis, a few years ago an unimportant village amidst the wilds of the West, will be the city of commerce and divergence for the choicest products of the Celestial Empire.
And sixteen days, it is confidently predicted by many, will be a sufficient lapse of time to enable the merchant of New York to read the dispatches of his correspondents at Canton.
In view of such important probable facilities of intercourse with China, Japan, and the great intermediate depot of trade in the Sandwich Islands, how important is it that our national vessel should at once make our flag a familiar object in every inlet to the great Pacific Ocean?
How necessary is it that enlightened and scientific navigators should lead the way through the mazy labyrinths of the clustering Isles, and that clear and accurate charts should be made of every channel to be ploughed by the keels of our ships and ocean steamers?
Congress has appropriated for this expedition one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars; a large sum, to be sure, but how small when contrasted with the magnitude of the work to be accomplished!
Our Government derives from its import duties about fifty millions of dollars per annum, and this under perhaps the lowest practicable tariff of duties.
The commerce that thus sustains the Government asks but little in return. For the want of such information as it is the present purpose to obtain, a whale ship of four thousand barrels of sperm oil was lost not long ago; the Memnon, with a freight worth 250,000 dollars, perished in like manner; and more recently the Huntress was lost in Behring's Sea by running upon previously unascertained shoals.
These losses, all of which might have been prevented if faithful charts had existed to guide the navigators aright, exceed in amount five times the cost of the present important enterprise. How unerringly, then, does true economy guide us to a liberal system of appropriations for purposes so salutary and so beneficent!
Yet, limited as our Navy is, how pleasing it is to perceive the general acquiescence of our Government and People in the devotion of important portions of it to purposes so wholly subservient to the pursuits of peace as to banish from our minds all other considerations than such as relate to the business advantages to be promoted.
Such an exhibition, goes further toward ennobling and elevating our conceptions of man than the record of the most dazzling and sanguinary conflicts.
[Editor's note: Here it repeats the final two paragraphs of the article as presented above.]
We are gratified in being able to state, in connexion with this subject, that the preparation and equipment of this expedition has proved to the presentable and accomplished Secretary to the Navy a highly agreeable task, and that he has manifested a prompt and commendable appreciation of the project, and has evinced the utmost liberality and most resolute determination to have everything executed and provided in an acceptable and efficient manner.
The command of the expedition also devolves upon one whose courage, whose ability, whose past services, and whose humane feelings and generous and elevated character afford an ample guarantee that success will attend his efforts, and that his labors will prove worthy the admiration and gratitude of his countrymen.
I will point out that this part of The Intelligencer was taken from Trove (I've lost the damn article on line! and I can't provide a link! This stuff takes many hours to compile!), and that I have cleaned up the spelling mistakes and typos that were present in the digitized version. You're welcome.
I did leave the interesting 'British/Canadian' spellings in The Intelligencer - such as 'harbour' and 'civilised'. And - did you see the spelling of mazy (maze-like) and connexion (connection)? Way cool!
Ennobling? Where is Embiggen?
I suppose space limitations caused this latter part of the report to be cut from the Charleston Courier, but it is interesting to note that it referred to the village of St. Louis as something that could one day grow into an important mid-western city.
I also like The Intelligencer's call that this expedition to China and Japan, and the important Sandwich Islands (not) would one day help local economies in the U.S. and that with greater technology, cities across the United States would one day benefit from trade with China and Japan. That certainly has happened.
I also like the humanitarian angle that the scientific expedition would hopefully provide better seafaring maps so ships need not be lost on unmarked shoals.
Interesting! More news to come!
Cheers
Andrew Joseph
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