The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-11-16

Let me renew my narrative OF the events
of the 9th. In about one hour after the
mandarin left again received him with
directions not to palaver much. In along,
windy. ~set-speech, he said that the Gov
ernor did not feel himself justified in re.
ceiving the letter from the President to the
Emperor-that he had MOI the power
hat Nagasaki was the place for the con-
duct of all foreign affairs-,hat it was not
Japanese custom-that indeed the Gov
ernor was much bothered to think why
four ships should have come together
that he appreciated very highly the great
trouble we had taken to come so very far
to deliver the letter, but that he could not
receive it. To which | replied: "The
distance, to be sure, was very long. and
we had come a great way-that we could
not think Of going to Nagasaki-that the
letter was an important one, and that our
President had ordered us to deliver it as
near the city of Jeddo as possible; there
fore we were here. ard | trusted that the
letter would be received in the MORN
ing"
To this he answered-"No one here
can receive it. 1t would bring harm up
oil him-Nagaski is the only place-that
he did not believe if the letter was receiv.
ed that the Emperor would answer it,"
To this | replied-'Does our Governor
dare to take upon himself the responsible
ity TO refuse a letter written to his sover-
eign, and to forward it to him? 1t is a very
grave responsibility to refuse to receive the
letter sent from one sovereign to another"
He then said-''The Governor may re-
ceiye it, but we can't tell when the answer
may Gomez but then added, .'that he had
not the power TO receive it, and refer it,"
| replied that "this letter was a very
important one-that it would be a great
insult to the President OF the United States
not to receive it. That as to the Emper-
or's not answering. that was not our bust
ness now. that would be settled AFTER
He said, "this Japanese customs" &c.
replied, 1--WE Americans do business de-
cidedly, promptly" At this point | went
out, and referred this new phase of the
discussion to the Commodore, and by his
order | broke up the interview, telling him
..that if the Governor did not send off for
the letter in the morning we would our
selves deliver it in the town of Orogama."
lie was rather taken aback by this deci.
sion, and requested permission to come
off in the morning. To this | assented.
He then took his leave. Before going off
he stepped back to ourlong gun aft. which
is all clear, and showing its massive pro-
portions, and examining it, said, looking
interrogatorily, "Paixhan2" If he has an
acquaintance with "Paixhan," | trust it is
from reading and not from practice.
At six o'clock the next morning | was
called on deck to receive the mandarin; so
| dressed hurriedly and went up. There
was the same story, but he proposed to
send to Jeddo for permission. We gave
him until Thursday, at l2 o'clock, saying,
..If the letter was not received we would
regard it as an insult to the President, and
act accordingly" So it rests.
July 17.-One week has passed since
! | have written a word, and a week of much
excitement. and great events. And here
we are, thank heaven, sale; and in nine
days we have effected much; so much.
that The world will be gratifed, and ouI
country feel herself honored. We have
landed in Japan, within twenty-five miles
OF Jeddo. with armed troops and armed
men, and delivered our credentials, and
the Presidents letter to the Commission.
ers; two Princes. n a councillor of the
J realm. and appointed by his Majesty to
receive US. But | am ahead of events
and must more leisurely detail the inter
views, arrangements, &c. which led to ar
! issue so happy, so peaceful, so desirable
7 and which have reflected much eclat upor
; the frmness and wisdom OF Com. Perry
al IT - --...l, .,1oosoJ ao,,r,o - 900
duct which reflects great credit upon him
! self.
! | left off by telling you that we had Civ
a en- Tezimon, Governor, or highest author
i ity in Uraga, or, by his other title, 'tht
learned scholar who rides," until Tuesday
. a: I o'clock, to get ar answer from Jeddt
e to our propositions, that is. that the copies
OF the letters and credentials. with a let!e
! of the Commodore's inclosed, we're to b,
:. received by a high mandarin. accredited
Il by his master to receive them. On Mon
! day, we were to receive information from
i him of the advancement Of matters. Or
that morning he came off quite pleased
' and said that he thought the letters woult
. be received. By the by, we showed hin
e the letter. which is beautifully done up il
a case, and the seal enclosed in a golt
box. costing ST. 900, SO also with the Com
modore's credentials. We had talked ant
o palavered over matters, answering man.
. questions, and amongst others, diplomatic
p ing about the propriety Of surveying TIL
e harbors. &C., for in the morning. the boat
S well armed, with the Mississippi to guart
S them, had proceeded up the bay, sound
q ing, and had advanced ten miles neare
to Jeddo. finding plenty Of water and
fine, large, capacious. magnificent harbor
when it has always been supposed tina
Uraga was about as far as vessels of an.
size could go. so great is the mystery tina
y hangs around this land.
On the advance Of the boats, the fort
i were armed. the dungaree and canvas
screens, behind which rested the pixies o
s. the soldiery, fairly tapped with anger. ant
: armed boats. with about Is men each
started out from every. point by hundreds
looking deiance; but onward e on
3 little boats, throwing their leads and mark
i ing the soundings. and steadily advanced
. the Mississippi on her purpose. Our steam