Columbia gazette., 1853-12-31


them." answered the Commodore, 6 ant
probably more. This is but portion oI
the squadron" No further conversation
took place. The letters being formal,
delivered and received, the Commodore
took his leave, while the Two Princes
who had fulfilled to the letter their IN
structions not to speak, rose andremain-
ed standing until he had retired from
their presence.
The return to the boats was made u
the same order, the bands playing g Hail
Columbia, and 6 Yankee Doodle, y with
more spirit than ever before, and few Of
those present, | venture to say, eve,
heard our national airs with mofe pride
and pleasure. Yezaimon Saboroske, and
the two interpreters attended the Com
lnodore to the boat, and as the embark
alton of the different boats crews occu-
pied some time, on account of the small
ness Of the jetty, several of the Japan
ese soldiers profted by the delay to
come down and examine us more closely.
Many of our men strayed along the beach,
picking up shells and pebbles as momen-
toes Of the visit. In less than twenty
minutes, however, all were embarked,
and We returned to the ships, accompa-
MED BY the two Japanese boats which
had pilotcd us to the shore. Before
twelve o'clock the anchors were lifted,
and both vessels were under way on q
cruise up the Bay.
EXPLORATIONS OF THE UPPER DAr OF
Yezaimon, Saboroske, and the Inter
prefers accepted an invitation to remain
en- board until we reached Uraga, and
have their boats towcd at our stern.
This gave them chance Of seeing the
steam engine in operation, for which they
had expressed great desire. They
were conducted over the ship and saw
the engine from all points of view, be-
traying great deal of curiosity in re-
gard to its operations, but no fear.
They even obtained glimmering idea
Of the manner in which the steam acted
| to set the enormous mass in motion
fatsonoske asked if it was not the same
machine, in a smaller compass, which
we used on railroads. During their in
spection of the ship they saw many
things which must have been new and
strange to them, but their composure
and self-possession was not in the least
disturbed. Notwithstanding the decks
were crowded with officers and men
whose curiosity to gee them was very
great, they were to all appearance un-
concious oft, and conducted themselves
with as much case and propriety as l
ever saw among the most refined peo>
| pie.
While going their rounds, their swords
were left in the cabin, and most of the
officers made use of the opportunity to
examine them. The steel was of ad-
mirable quality, and kept in good condi-
ton, although the shape. of the blade
was rather unwieldy, and the handle was
without q guard. The scabbards were
made of shark-skin, very handsomely
polished While in the cabin, globe
was brought. and the position Of the
United States shown to the Japanese
Tatsonoske Immediately pointed cut
Washington and New York, and seem
ed tolerably familiar with the geography
Of our country, ,as well as that Of Europe
He asked whether in America many o.
the roads were not cut through the noun
tains-evidently referring to railroads.
Yezaimon expressed his desire to exam
inc revolver, several of which the ia
panese had noticed in the officers belts
Commander Buchanan fred of all the
chambers Of a genuine "Colt," from the
quarter deck, to his great astonishment.
Before we had half gratifed their curl
osity, (which the steam-whistle raised to
the highest PITCH we were off Uraga,
and they were obliged to leave.
/ As we moved out past the promonto
ry OF Uraga, the western shore opened
on the lett, showing a broad, deep bay,
embosomed by hills covered with the
geenest and most luxuriant foliage, and
with several large villages at their base.
We approached within three miles Of
the eastern shore, which is loftier and
wilder than the western, rising into a
range of rugged mountains, which show
ed nc. signs of habitation Of cultivation.
But the lower slopes, which undulated
gently to the water, charmed me by the
rich beauty of their scattered groves,
and the green terraces and lawns into
which centuries of patient cultivation has
formed them. This side of England
there is nothing so green, 30 garden-1ike
so full of tranquil beauty. To the north
the hills gradually sank away, and q
sandy spur, three or fonr miles in length
stretched into the Bay. This proved tc
be the ground whereon we had seen the