Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1853-11-26


color, bound with a girdlo at the waist.
About s O'clock the anchors were lift
ed, and the Susquehanna and Mis'issip-
pi moved slowly down the buy leaving
the Plymouth and Saratoga. We soon
saw two boats bearing The Government
flag pulling abreast of US, but further in
shore, and accompanied by four other
boats with red banners, probably con-
tanning military escort. AS The night
opened behind the promontory; we saw
long line ofcsnvass walls, covered with
the Imperial crest, stretching quite a.
round the head of the blight. In front
were files of soldiers, standing motion
less on the sandy beach. A multitude
of banners of various brilliant colors
CLEANED in the sun. Near the centre of
the crescent formed by the troops were
planted nine tall standards-(ouron one
side aud FIVE on the other-froru which
broad scarlet pennons hung to the
GROUND. In the rear these, three new
pyramidal roofs showed that house
had been prepared expressly for the
Commodore's reception. On the right,
upwards of sixty boats were drawn up
in line parallel tothe beach, each hay-
ing a red flag at its stern. From the
head ofthe blight narrow valley exten.
ded inland between uxuriantly wooded
hills. On theeft side was a picturesque
little town, the name of which, the ia
panese informed US, was Gor-hama.-
The place was undoubtedly chosen, both
on account of its remoteness from Ura.
ga, which is port of customs, and the
facility which it afforded to the Japan
ese for the exhibition ofa large militia
~ force-a measure dictated alike by
their native caution, and the love Of dis
play for which they are noted.
The anchor was no sooner down than
the two Government boats sculled o.
longside and Yezaimon, with the In
terpreters, Tatsonoska and Tokoshiuro,
came on board. The second boat con-
tanning the Deputy Governor. saboroske
and an attendant officer. They were
accommodated with seats onthe quarter
deck, until all our preparations for land
ing were completed. They were dress
ed, as they had hinted the day previous,
in official garments ofrich silk hrocade,
burdered With velvet. The gowns diff
fered little in form from those they Or
dinarily wore, but were elaborately en-
broidered, and displayed greater va
riety Of gay colors than taste in their
disposal. Saboroske had apair of short
and very wide pantaloons, resembling
petticoat with a seam up the middle.
below which appeared his bare legs and
black woollen socks, with an effect rath-
er comical than otherwise. The should
ers contained lines Of ornament in gold
thread. All the officers wure their crest
or coat Of arms, embroidered upon the
back, sleeves aud breasts of their gar
menls.
The boats of the Mississippi, Sarato-
ga and Plymouth were alongside in less
than half an hour after our anchor drop
ped, aud preparations were made for
leaving at once. Both steamers lay
with their broadsides TO the shore. aud
the decks were cleared, the guns primed
and pointed, ready for action in case of
treachery. Commanders Kelly and Lee
remained on board their respective
ships, in order to act in case of neccssi.
ty. The morning was very bright and
clear, aud the fifteen launches and cut
tiers, containing the officers, seamen, ma
rines and bandsmen, presented q bril-
liant appearance, as they clustered o.
round our starboard gangway. Com
mander Buchanan took the lead in his
barge, with one of the japanese Gov
ernment boats on each sidu. Mcrrily,
as the oars ofour men dipped the waves
it required their utmost to keep pace
with the athletic sculers Of Japan. The
other American boats followed nearly
in line, and the van Of the procession
was nearly halfway TO the shore when
the guns of the Susquehanna announced
the Commodore's departure. The gleam
of arms, the picturesque mingling OF
blue and white in the uniforms, and the
v,rrLl;uo of tho waves under the steady
strokes Of the oarsmen, combined to
form splendid picture, set off as it was
by the background of rich green hills
and tho long line Of soldicry and ban
ncrs on the beach. All were excited by
the occasion, and the men seemed to be
as much elaled in spirits as those who
had more prominent part in the pro.
ceedinrs. we all felt, that, as being
the first instance since the expulsion of
the Portuguese from Japan, when for.
eign Ambassador had been officially re-
ceivel on japanese soil, it was mem
orable event in tho history of both coun-
tries, aud tha,. if not an augury Of the
future and complete success Of the Ex.
pedftion, it was at least Il commence.
ment more auspicious than we had VEN
tured to anticipate.
An impromptu jetty, composed of
bags Of sand, had been thrown up for
the occasion, near the centre Of the
oros,o,,. .b,nel beach at the head of the |