Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-11-17
The Expedition to japan.

The latest information from the American
expedition TO this shalf-civilized and half-bar-
barous people is feplete with interest. The
expedition thus far has prospered finely
Commodore Perry has succeeded in presenting
the Presidents letter, although United States
government vesseka few years since attempt
ed to open communication and was ordered
off. On the 9Th day of July, 1853, the Co
lumbus, Vincennes, Mississippi and another
vessel of the expedition anchored in the har-
Dor of Jeddo From five hundred to one
thousand boats came out and formed chain
around the vessels. The request of the jap
anese to come on board was refused, and the
Commodore threatehed to fire upon them if
they did not keep off. The Commodore
gained his point, and thus secured a conces-
never obtained before, and extremely favora-
bic to the object ofshe expedition. A man
DARN high in rank was allowed to come on
board when the object Of the expedition was
explained to him through an interpreter. AS
surance was given that the mission was a
friendly one. The Commodore informed him
that he had letter 10 deliver to the Emperor
of Japan from the President of the United
States, and it was ready to be delivered to any
officer high enough in authority to receive it.
The mandarin, who was Lieutenant Gov
ernor, declined to receive it, saying sit must
be referred to higher powers to know who
shall receive the letter. He was rather in
quisitive, asking questions about the ships, and
the contents of the letter, which it was not
thought best to answer. He was gently re-
buked for his inquisitiveness, and Immediately
made an apology. He left the ship without
the letter.
After other interviews word was received
that the Emperor wasss going to send high
Prince to Jeddo to receive the Presidents let
ter. In the meantime the ships approached
nearer to Jeddo, and the boats proceeded up
the bay surveying the harbor under guard of
the steamer Mississippi. The greatest ex-
citement was apparent on shore, and thous-
ands Of Japanese soldiers were seen. On
board the ships the pistols were all loaded and
ready at hand, swords ready, guns loaded,
trained and cast loose rand everything ready
for action. Finally Information was received
that the Prince was ready to receive the let
ter and the Commodore was notified where
to land and to what place to proceed to deliv-
er it. The letter was Beautifully done up in
a case and the seal inciosed in gold box with
the Commodore's credentials which cost
$1,000. Arrangements being fully made for
the reception, the presentation of the letter
was made as follows, is described by an off
Ger attached to the expedition in a letter to his
wife in Boston. We copy from the Boston
Olive Branch -
THURSDAY, July IA. Early in the morn
ing we dropped our steamers down and near
in as possible. The BAY is entirely circular,
with two small forts an each point of the en-
trance. We went off in our boats, Tin all, }
officers, landsmen aHi marines, 428 strong,
armed to the teeth, each man carving with
him the lives Of five japanese. II was beau
tiful sight as we pullH in We were in sight
of hundred armed Japanese boats, with ban
ners flying, averaging, twenty-five men each /;
then on the shores ahead were stretched lines
of painted cloth, with various notices, for a
full mile in length-armed men, and cavalry,
and artillery in front, and human figures thick
in the rear. On advanced our boats, and our
little band landed, drew up in line and formed
in all, on shore, 35Osmen, leaving eighty in
the boats.
The Commodore and staff then landing, we
formed close line, &ad to the tune of g Hail
Columbia with the American flag proudly
waving over us, we marched up to the council
house. There we hated; our little band drew
up, and thus, with pventy feet between us,
face to face, stood the sons of America and
the troops of Japan. I'VE went into the ceun-
Gil house, where sat the commissioner, with
his coadjutor, Prince Of Iwami. Proudly we
walked in, and bowed in our way, which was
returned by the COMMISSIONER rising and bow
ing. We were thenS Seated. Thus we deliv-
cred the credentials ;sand after few words,
we withdrew, formed our line, and to the
tunes of "Hail Columbia and "Yankee
Doodle" retired to our boats. We were ac-
companed off by Te4mon and other mandarins
and got under way, 3nd stood up the bay.
e We regret to learn that Rev. Frederic
Gardiner, of Grace Church, in this city, has
left his charge, for tour in Europe. Dur
ing Mr.. G.'s stay here, he has won many
warm friends whose kind sympathies will at
tend him wherever he may 60.