The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-09-18

offered their boats to tow him up TO the anchor
| age. which he accepted. Guard-boats were
stationed around the steamer during the night.
Forts were lighted up, and about four hundred
boats all manned and armed, collected along
the shore each carrying a lantern. He made
them keep at respectable distance, had ms
guns loaded, and kept careful watch on deck at
night during the three days he remained at
that port to complete his survey
Commander Mathison regards Orogawa as
the key of the capital, from which it is distant
about TWENTY-FIVE miles He states that all the
junks going and returning from ledo arrive
here to pass the custom-house and that with
a moderate armed naval force trade might be
completely stopped as Yedo enterely depends
on its supplies by sea. There is very good
road between the towns
After leaving Orogawa, he also visited and
made an accurate survey of Simodi Bay, where
there are three fishing villages. The authorl-
ties supplied his crew with plenty OF tsh, and
when he was ready to depart sent fifty boats
to tow the steamer out to sea. The Governor
of the Province, residing at the town OF Mo
maxi, thirteen miles distant came on board the
steamer, and was supposed to be man OF rank,
from the respect shown to him by his followers
You will thus perceive that fedo is accessi-
BILE to large vessels, and that the japanese OPP
pose no resistance to ships of war The pres
ence OF an American squadron before that cap
ital, bearing Commissioner vested with au-
thority to treat with the Japanese Government
upon the basis of the above ultimatum, and who
should conduct the negotiation with due cour-
tesy, firmness of purpose, and unwavering deci-
sion, would undoubtedly stand better chance
OF success than any other Mission hitherto sent
from the West to Japan 1t would impress the
despotic Seogoon, and the High Councillors" of
his Court with a salutary respect for the dignity,
majesty, and power of this Empire Republic, and
prove tangible demonstration Of the paternal
policy of our Government to extend its protec-
ton to American citizens wheresoever dispersed,
or hOwsoever oppressed, in the remotest quar-
tiers of the globe it would infalliby bring Japan
within the political pale of the Western ma
tons, open up that rich, populous and produc-
tive Empire to our commerce secure the desired
privileges for our steamships and whalers in its
seas ports and harbors, and reflect lasting
credit on the firmness decision, and energy, of
General Taylor's Administration.
The hostile reception which Captain Inger-
sol, of the American ship Morrison, received at
the several points at which he touched on the
coast in his efforts to open trading intercourse
Will tldo country III July, 1901, was udlniy
owing. as was subsequently ascertained, to his
,5&~y - ~ =. 1""in1 no~ board two pais-
sionaries, the Rev Peter Parker and the Rev DR.
Gutzlaff The official visit of Commodore Bid
die with the United States ships Columbus and
Vincennes, to the Bay of Yedo in July, 1916,
its abortive result, and the gross indignity to
which he submitted at the hands Of IL common
japanese soldier, appears, by the deposition OF
one of the crew of the Lagoda, to have left an
unfavorabe impression on the public authori-
ties and people of Japan respecting the Ameri-
can character, which can only be efaced by an
imposing Mission for the accomplishment of the
objects above indicated.
In the hope that you may deem this subject
of sufficient importance to submit it together
with my other communications to you in re-
gard to the China and Eastern Mission, to the
early consideration of the President, have the
honor to be, with great respect dear sir, your
most faithful and obedient servant
AARON H. PALMER
Hon. John M Clayton,
Secretary Of State.