The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-11-16
The Japan Expedition.
INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF IT'S PROGRESS
LANDING OF COMMODORE PERRY.

We have already announced the re
turn of Commodore Perrys expedition
from Japan. The expedition left Jeddc
on he 18th of August-thc Commodore
having succeeded in obtaining an inter
view with two princes of the Empire
ans had delivered the letter from the
President of the United States, as also
Lis own credentials 1t was arranged
th-' ns the subject matter required the
consideration Of the Emperor and the
lgrcat Ministers of State. an answer
should be called for next Spring. The
governor of the Province of Uraga visit
ed the Susquehannaand was very nquisi-
tive. lie seems to know a great deal
about America. and even made inquiries
respecting the progress of the Isthmus
Railroad.
The London Times correspondent
surmises that when Commodore Perry
returns, he will find forts erected. to
give him hostile instead of friendly
reception
The Americans in China have request
ed Commodore Perry to station ship
at Canton or Whampoa The Mssissip-
pi is at present there the Susquehanna
at Macao, and the Saratoga at Shang-
hae.
The following interesting account of
the movements of the Expedition. is
from the North China Mai, OF Au-
gust | |
We are enabled to give the follow
ing authentic particulars of Commodore
Perry's expedition to Japan
The squadron, consisting of the
steam frigatcs Susquehanna and Nlissis-
sippi, had the sloops-of-war Plymouth
and Saratoga, sailed from the harbor of
Napa-kiaug, in Loo Choo, on the I'd of
July. On the morning of the sth they
made Cape Idzu near the southern en-
trance of the Bay of Jcddo, and, sailing
directly up the bay, anchored in the af-
tefnoon off the town of Uraga, more than
a mile beyond the former anchorage of
Morrison and Columbus. The appear
ancc Of tho steamcrs-ihc first ever seen
in Japanese waters-with the other
vessels in tow, moving with all sails
furled, at the rate of nine or ten knots
an hour, appeared to produce considcra-
bic scnsat ion among the japanese, and
the trading junbs, with winch the bay
was crowded, carefully kept out of their
way.
AS the vessels were coming to anchor.
two shells or rockets were fired into the
air from the battery about mile dis
tant, but apparently as sighal, and not
as token of hostility Several Gov
ernment boats Immediately came off,
and endeavored to put on board the yes.
sells the usual notification to foreigners.
warning them to depart. They were
not received, however and the deputy.
Governor of Uraga, who was the only
person allowed to come on board was
notified that, if the Japanese authorities
cndeavorcd to surround the ships with
the usual Gordon of boats, it would lead
to very serious consequences. A few
boats, nevertheless fingered round Sus-
quehanna, but the sight of some warlikc
preparations satisfied them that Com
modore Perry was in earnest, and they
quickly retired. During the stay of the
squadron in the bay it was never after,
wards visited by any boats, except those
containing the officials through whom
the negotiations were carried on. The
next morning. Yezaimon, the Governor
of Uraga aud noblcman of the third
rank, came off, and, after ascertaiping
the object of the visit, asked for time to
despatch an express to Jcddo, in order
to communicate the information, and
obtain instructions how to act. During
the three days which elapsed before the
answer arrived, the Mississippi made
trip of about ten miles further up the
bay, finding everywhere deep soundings.
Beyond the promontory of Uraga,
point which no foreign vessel had passed
before she discovered large and beau.
tiful blight, which was perfectly land
locked, and offered the most secure and
commodious anchorage. She was fol-
lowed at distance by a number of Gov
ernment boats, but none of them at
tempted to interfere with her, or with
the cutters of the different vessels which
were sounding in advance of her. The
presence of the squadron appeared to
cause no interruption to the inland com
mcrce, for the bay was at all times
studded with large junks and hundreds
of smalls craft, passing up and down
On Tuesday, the 18th, an answer ar
rived from Jeddo, stating that the EN-
peror had appointed an officer of the
highest rank to proceed to Uraga, and
receive the letter of the President of the
United States, and satisfactory proofs
having been given to Commodore Perry
that his appointment came directly from
the Imperial Government, it was arrang-
ed that the interview should take place
on the morning of the llth. We under
stand that the Commodore WAS first in
formed on his arrival that Nagassaki
was the proper point from which to me-
gotiate with the japanese Government, |
but he replied that request to proceed
thither would be an insult TO his Gov. .
The japanese selected the small town
of Gorihana, about three miles south of
Uraga. for the interview On the morn
ing Of the 18th, the Susquehanna and the
took up position off the
town, aud lay with their broadsides to
the shore. The Governor of Uraga. with
the Commandant of the military forces,
came off TO accompany the Commodore
to the landing place. Three houses were
erected by the japanese, one of which
was prepared for the interview, while tho
other two were apparently intended for
the accommodation of the nrinces who