The Japan Expedition [From the Washington Union, April 10.]

Daily Southern Cross, Volume X, Issue 638, 9 August 1853, Page 3

The Japan Expedition [From the Washington Union, April 10.]

A rumour has been recently circulated by a portion of the public press, to the effect that this interesting expedition either has been, or is about to be, countermanded by the present Secretary of the Navy, We learn, from the best authority, that all such rumours are entirely unfounded in fact. On the contrary, the administration is making every effort to give all proper aid in carrying out the important objects of the expedition, and in fulfilling the public-ex-pectation in regard to it. It appears to have been the intention of the late administration, to place under the command of Commodore M. C. Perry, a« the coniraander-in-chief of the United States naval force in the East India and China seas, and with a view to his contemplated visit to Japan, the following vessels, viz :—: — one skip-of-the-line, the Vermont j three steam frigates, the Susquehanna, the Mississippi, and the Powhattan ; one first class steamer, the Alleghanny : and four sloops of war, the Macedonian, the Saratoga, the Plymouth, and the Vandalia ; to be accompanied by two btorc ships, the Supply and Southampton. This force, with the exception of tba Vermont, tl<e Macedonian, and the AllegJjanny, is now assembling at Macao. The last named vessel is now in the hands of mechanics, and it is uncertain when her preparation will be completed. The Vermont is ready to receive her crew, but such is the condition of the recruiting service, that it is wholly impossible to say when, if at all, a crew of 800 men for her can be collected. Besides this, the number of men, of all classes, employed in our naval service having been limited by law to 7,500, and Congress having failed at its last session to grant the Navy Department the authority which it asked to enlarge that number, and no means having been appropriated for that purpose, the withdrawal of the Yennont from Commodore Perry's squadron was unavoidable, because, in addition to the force already in commission, she cannot now be manned without exceeding the number of seamen prescribed by law. . It is probable, also, that the necessary delay in preparing the Alleghany for sea " may rende* her services uij available for the expedition, This, however, will not interfere with thecontemplated visit of Commodore Perry to Japan, with a. force amply sufficient and well provided for the successful accomplishment of the objects of bis .mission.

The Duke of Somerset, at his late audit held at Maiden Bradley, Warminster, remitted fifteen per pent, to his numerous tenantry.