The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-11-17

matters. On that morning he came off
) quite pleased, and said that he thought
the letters would be received. BY the by
, we showed him the letter, which is beau
tlfully done up in case, and the seal
enclosed in gold box, costing S 600; so
also with the Commodore's credcntials.-
We had talked and palayered over mat
ters, answering many questions, and a
mongst others, diplomatizing about the
propriety of surveying the harbor, &C.,
for IN the morning, the boats, we'll armed,
with the Mississippi to guard them, had
preceded her up the bay, sounding, and
had advanced ten miles nearer to Jcddo,
finding plenty Of water, and fine, large,
capacious, magnificent harbor; when it
has always been supposed that Uraga
was about as far as vessels of any size
could 60, so great is the mystery that
hangs around this land.
On the advance of the boats, the forts
were armed, the dungaree and canvass
screens, behind which rested the pixies of
the soldiery, fairly tapped with anger,
and armed boats with about % men each
started out from every point by the hun
dreds, looking defiance; but onward went
our little boats, throwing their leads and
marking the soundings, and steadily ad-
vanced the Mississippi on her purpose
Our steam was up, and all the vessels
hove short to slip and run to their assist
ance, and throw in japanese forts, dun
garee, cotton, boats and all, few paix-
han shell. My opinion is that for these
thirty-six hours, (and more particularly
for these SIX the japanese hesitated
whether or not they should at once resist,
and try with US the fortunes of war But
so steadily was our determination, both in
council and in conduct, so utterly careless
of any action on their part, so perfectly
confident of our own resources and power,
and so regardless of all danger, that they
were paralyzed, and prudent and friend
ly measures were decided.
1t is well to remark here, that they
have been making the most extensive
preparations of forts, ,s&c., lately, as is ev-
ident by their new works and those not
yet flushed. Doubtless, there are full
l 900 boats, averaging, with rowers and
soldiers, 25 men. In these waters we
have seen, and could have counted, 500;
some on the water, their banners flying,
forty and fifty together; others hauled
upon the beach ready to LAUGH out-at
first mistaken for villages. But a new
era is marked in their history; they have
been placed on the defensive; they dared
not begin the game, though | yet believe
that any harsh measures Oh our part, of
encroachment or injury would cause
determined and bloody resistance, for
they are free, frank, pleasing, sociable,
fearless people, and would stand braycly
to the slaughter. These traits may be
expected in land where 'the wives and
mothers are proverbially virtuous
exception being the rarity and proving
the rule. Well will it be if we can make
these people our friends and our allies
Yes, heretofore they have arrogantly die
tated to all others; but with Us the game
is changed. We have said; so must you
do-this is our way These steamers,
too, moving without sails, against wind
and tide, have struck, if not terror, at
least wonder and wisdom into their souls.
But to the interviews-this of Monday
evening ended Tuesday morning, about
noon, they again came off, and our
learned scholar, evidently wore a more
contented air-bye-the-byc, lehman is a
gentleman, clever, polished, we'll inform
ed, a fine large man, Of most excellont
countenance, takes his wine freely, and
boon companion. His age is thirty-four.
He told US that the letters would be re-
ccived; that the emperor was going to
send down high prince, and a councillor
to take them. 'When?' 'On day after to-
morrow. We are putting up a new house
to receive you, and it cannot be ready be-
fore them; nor will the prince be down
until tomorrow 1t was now that we
understood that they expected to receive
the letter Of the President, and the COM
modore's letter of credence, instead of
the copies Of which it was the intention
to send first, reserving the last in hopes
Of forcing an interview at Jcddo. This
was explained to them-whcn the change
that came over them was plain--they per-
sisted that they had understood that the
letters were to be received, not the copies
the fear of the permission to rip him
self up, (the Hari-Kasi) was evident in
his face-yet the commodore persisted in
this point, and we sent him off to give
notice to higher powers that such was
the fact.
In the afternoon he again came, and
the commodore at last agreed to deliver
the originals and land at the place fixed
upon.
THURSDAY, July l4.-Early in the
morning we dropped our steamers down
and near in as possible, The bay is
nearly circular, with two small forts on
each point Of the entrance. We went off
in our boats Gn alD officers, landsmcn,
and marines, 428 strong, armed to the
teeth, each man carrying with him the
lives of five Japanese. It was beauti