Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-11-16
The Japan Expedition.
he North China Mail of August II, has


The squadron consisting of the steal
frigates Susquehannah and Mississippi, an
the sIoops Of war Plymouth and Saratog'
sailed from the harbor of Napo-kiang,
Loochoo, on the 2nd of July. On the morr
ing of the 9Th they made Cape 1dzu, nes
the southern entrance of the Bay of Jeddc
and sailing directly up the bay, anchore
in the afternoon off the town of Uraga, NOR
than mile beyond the former anchorag
of the Morrison and Columbus. The ap
pearance of the steamers--the first eve
seen in Japanese waters-with the othe
vessels in tow moving with all sails furl
ed, at the rate of nine or ten knots al
hour. appeared to produce considerable sen
sation among the japanese, and all th'
trading vessels, with which the bay wa
crowded, kept out of their way.
AS the vessels were coming to anchor
two shells or rockets were fired into the ali
from battery about mile distant, but ap
parently as signal, and not as token o
hostility. Several government boats i'm
mediately came off, and endeavored 10 pu
on board the usual notification to foreign
ers, warning them to depart. They were
not received, however, and the deputy gov.
ernor of Uraga, who was the only person
allowed TO come on board, was notified that
if the Japanese authorities endeayored tc
surround the ships with the usual Gordon oi
boats it would lead to very serious conse.
quences. A few boats, nevertheless, lin.
gered around the Susquehannah, but the
sight of some warlike preparations satisfied
them that Commodore Perry was in earn
est, and they quickly retired. During the
stay of the squadron IN the bay it was nev.
er afterwards visited by any boats, except
those containing the officials though whom
the nogotlatins were carried OH. The next
morning, Yezaimon, the governor of Uraga,
and a nobleman of the third rank, came off,
and after ascertaining the object of the VS.
it, asked for time to despatch an express to
Jeddo, in order to communicate the infor-
nation, and obtain instructions how to act.
During the three days which elapsed before
the answer arrived, the Mississippi made a
trip of about ten miles further up the bay,
finding everywhere deep soundings. She
was followed at distance by number of
government 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 10 cause no inter-
ruption to the inland commerce, for the bay
was at all times studded with large junks
and hundreds of small craft, passing up and
down.
On Tuesday, the 18th, an answer arriv-
ed from Jeddo, stating that the emperor
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 this appointment
came directly from the imperial govern
ment, it was arranged that the interview
should take place on the morning OF the
18th. We understand that the Commodore
was first informed on his arrival that Ma
gassi was the proper point from which to
negotiate with the japanese government,
but he replied that request to proceed
hither would be an insult TO his govern
ment.
The Japanese selected the small town of
Gorihama about three miles south of Uraga,
for the interview. On the morning OF the
14th the Susquehannah and the Mississip-
pi took up position off the town, and lay
with their broadsides to the shore. The
Governor and Deputy Governor of Uraga,
with the commandant of the military forces
came off to accompany the Commodore to
the landing place. The officers and men
detailed to accompany Commodore Perry,
amounted to about 400, while the force OF
the japanese was varlously estimated at
from 5000 to 1000.
The Commodore was escorted, with the
American colors flying, and the bands play
ing the national air, Hail Columbia, to
the house of reception. Here he was re-
ceiyed by the Prince OF Idzu, first Council
Ior of the Emperor, who was accompanied
by the Prince of Iwami. The letter OF the
President and Commodore Perry's letter OF
credence were formally delivered, and an
official receipt given in return by the two
Princes. The Commodore stated that, in
order to give the Japanese Government am
pie time for delberation, he would depart
in three or four days, and return IN few
morths to receive their reply.
We may here mention, that this was the
only instance in which Commodore Perry
met any of the Japanese officials in person.
The governor of Uraga was not received
bv him. as not being of equal rank, and all
the previous and subsequent negotiations
with the Japanese were carried on through
the officers of the Commodore's staff and
Commander Buchanan of the Susquhannah.
The governor and deputy governor of Ura-
ga, with the interpreters and attendants,
after the interview, were treated to trip
in the Susquehannah, where they witness
ed, for the first time the performance OF the
steam engine. After leaving them at Ura-
ga, the squadron stood across the bay to-
wards the eastern shore, and then proceed
ed to the point reached by the Mississippi,
about ten milas above Uraga
On the following day Commodore Perry,
in the Mississippi, went about ten miles be, so
yond this, making a total distance of 20
miles beyond the limit of previous explora.
tion. From the deck of the frigate crowd
of shipping was seen seven or eight miles
to the northward ; and, from the number Of
junks continually going and coming, it was
evident that this was the anchorage in front
Of the capital.
The officers of the Susquehannah and
Mississippi speak with admiration OF the
beauty of the shores, and the rich cultlva'
ton and luxuriant vegetation which they
everywhere witnessed.
The natives with whom they came II
contact were friendly in their demeanor
and the governor of Uraga is spoken of as
model Of refinement and good breeding.