The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-06-24
THE PERRYSBURG JOURNAL.

were interchanged by the American and ia
panese officers. At one of two given by
Capt. Buchanan, the Governor of Uraga, as
we have seen in Keying and other high Chi
nese officials, at once fell in with foreign
observances in toasting and speechifying.--
Captain Buchanan proposed the health of
the Emperor of Japan, which was drank
standing with all the honors" and was ac-
knowledged by the Governors OF Uraga who
IN return similarly proposed the health of
the President of the United States. The
japanese took their liquor freely, especially
champagne, greatly admiring the glassware
that contained them and expressed hope
that the time was at hand when they would
be at liberty to visit foreign countries in
steamers and ships of three masts.
1t was during this interval that an officer
of the squadron approached Yedo, and if he
did not actually enter it, at least was near
enough to judge of its appearance, and to
ascertain, what, however, we believe a sur
veying party had done before, that close to
the shore there is five fathomS water, so that
it can be approached by large ships
The city is in the form of crescent, and
stands on an extensive plain with magnifi-
cent background of the mountains and
wooded country; but it seems to possess no
striking public buildings, while the dwelling
houses are generally of one story, and
therefore, nothing imposing in their appear
ance, except their vast numbers, and space
they occupy. The population of the capital
has, however been greatly exaggerated, for
though it is certainly great, the Japanese
officers themselves placed YedO third among
The cities in the world, London, they said
being the first, and Paris the second.
On the 8th, the preparations were COM
completed for the reception of the Commo-
dore, who, by the bye, insisted upon the re-
moval of the screen work which extended
from the shore to the hail. and which shut
out the public gaze. Between IL and 10
o'clock, the marines having been mustered
by Major Zeilin, and the sailors by Lieut.
Pegram, the whole in twenty-nine boats un-
der command of Capt. Buchanan, who con-
veyed the cortege to the the shore, and
waited the arrival of the Commodore and
suite, consisting of Capt. Adams, the Sec
ters, DIR. S. w. Williams and Mr.. J. L. G..
Portman, who landed about noon, under
salute of seventeen guns from the Macedo-
nian, the men in the boats standing up, and
the officers on shore being uncovered. The
plOCcSSlOIl tIeu llONGu 1OEWdIu, Tue Dduu
playing Hail Columbia and the " Presi-
dents March"
On entering the hall, the Commodore was
received by four Commissioners, appointed
for the purpose. They were:
LIST. Hayashi, with the title of Daigaku
no Kama, or Prince Councillor
ID. Ido, Prince of Taus-sima, (the group
of islands lying between Corea and Japan
Sd. Idzuma, Prince of Mimasaki, "a prin-
cipality lying west of Minco.)
4th. Udono, second assistant Of the Board
of Revenue.
The party being seated, the flag of Japan
was run up on board the Powhatan, and
saluted with thirty-one guns from the launch
,es, which after another salute of seventeen
guns was given to the Japanese High Com
missioner, who through the interpreter pre-
sented his compliments and welcome to the
Commodore and his officers, and particularly
inquired about the health of the former. At
sign given, the servants in attendance
brought in laquered stands with tea and sahi,
sweetmeats and other conserves, and placed
one beside each officer. The regalement
seems to have been much the same as that
which in China generally prccedes the tran
saction of business with foreign officials
and while it was going on there was time
to take note of the place of meeting. The
hall, which had been run up with great celer-
,1,, IL f.14 = /