Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-11-16
JAPAN.

We have already announced the return of
Commodore Perry's expedition from Japan
The expedition left Jeddo 18th Aug, the Com
modore having succeeded in obtaining an inter-
view with two Princes of the Empire, and had
delivered the letter from the President Of the
United States, as also his own credentials. II
was arranged that as the subject matter required
the consideration of the Emperor and the great
Ministers of State, an answer should be called
for next spring. The Governor of the Japanese
Province of Uraga visited the Susquehanna, and
was very inquisitive. He seemed to know a
great deal about America, and even made inqui-
ries respecting the progress of the Isthmus Rail-
road. The London Times correspondent sur.
mises that when Commodore Perry returns, he
will find forts erected to give him a hostile in
stead of friendly reception.
The Americans in China have requested Com.
Perry TO station a ship at Canton or Whampoa.
The Mississippi is at present there, the Susque-
hanna at Macao, and the Saratoga at Shanghai.
The following interesting account of the
movements of the expedition is from the North
China Mail, of Aug. llth:
"We are enabled to give the following au-
thentic particulars of Com. Perry's expedition to
Japan:
"The squadron, consisting of the steam frg-
ates Susquehanna and Mississippi, and the
sloops of war Plymouth and Saratoga, sailed
from the harbor of Napa-kiang, in Loochoo, on
the 2nd Of July. On the morning of the Sth
they made Cape Idzu, near the southern en-
trance of the bay of Jeddo, and. sailing directly
up the bay, anchored in the afternoon off the
town of Uraga, more than mile beyond the
former anchorage of the Morrison and Colum-
bus. The appearance of the steamers-the first
ever seen in japanese waters-with the other
vessels in tow, moving with all sails furlcd, at
the rate of nine or ten knots an hour, appeared
to produce considerable sensation among the
japanese, and all the trading junks, with which
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 q
battery about a mile distant, but apparently as n
signal, and not as a token of hostility. Several
Government boats Immediately came off, and
endeavored to put on board the vessel the usual
notification to foreigners, warning them to de-
part. They were not received, however, and the
Deputy-GovernOr of Uraga, who was the only
person allowed 10 come on board, was notified
that, If the Japanese authorities endeavored to
surround the ships with the usual Gordon of
boats, it would lead to very serious consequent
ces. A few boats, nevertheless, fingered around
the Susquehannah, but the sight of some war;
like preparations satisfied them that Commodore
Perry was in earnest, and they quickly retired.
During the stay of the squadron in the bay it
was never afterward visited by any boats, except
those containing the officials through whom the
negotiations were carried on. The next morn
ing, Yezaimon, the Governor of Uraga and a no.
bleman of the third rank came of, and, after as
certalning the object of the VISIT asked for time
to dispatch IN express to Jeddo, in order to COM
municatc the information, and obtain instruc
tons how 10 act. During the three days which
elapsed before the answer arrived, the Mississip-
p made trip of about ten miles further up the
bay, finding everywhere deep soundings Be-
yond the promontory of Uraga, point which
no foreign vessel had passed before, she discov-
cred a large and beautiful blight, which was per-
fectly land-locked, and offered the most secure
and commodious anchorage. She was followed
at distance by n number of Government boats,
but none of them attempted 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 Interrupt
ton to the inland commerce, for the bay was at
oil times studded with large junks and hundreds
of small craft, passing up and down.
"On Tuesday, the 18th, an answer from Jed
uo' o'"VhS 'iO CnpcTOT llau dppOlUteu
officer of the highest rank to proceed TO Uraga
and receive the letter of the President of the u.
States, and, satisfactory proofs having been CIV
en- TO Commodore Perry that this appointment
came directly from the Imperial Government, it
was arranged the interview should take place on
the morning of the 14th. We understand that
the Commodore was first informed on his arri-
val, that Nagassaki was the proper point from
which to negotiate with the Japanese Govern
ment, but he replied that request to proceed
thither would be an insult to his Government.
"The japanese selected the small town of
Gori-hama, about three miles south Of Uraga,
for the interview. On the morning of the l4th,
the Susquehannah and the Mississippi took up
position off the town, and lay with their broad.
sides 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.pace. Three houses