Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-09-30
FROM THE JAPAN SQUADRON.
FROM the JOURNAL OF COMMERCE..


Squadron It contains much the fullest and most gra-
phc account Of the operations Of the squadron and Of
the proceedings relative the negotiation Of the treaty
the second visit of the United States ships the Ja-
panese waters, that we have 1t viii be observed
that the writer, whom well know to be perfectly
liable and who had the rsmotest conception of writ
ing for publications says that the Commodore yielded to
the enreates Of the Japanese commissioners and inter
prefers and did not approach within sight of Jedo
This is in seeming contradiction TO the account pre-
yously published which represents that the Powhaan
and Mississippi up. and lay half an hour before
the town without anchorng; but told the
authority that the sailing vessels meantime far
asern, and the letter which give to-day dated on
board the Vandaa. 1t would matter Of SURPRISE
however, that II the two steamers had halted about
half hour before the capital the fact should have
been known throughout the squadron; and in view Of
the particularly with which the writer whose letter we
now give declares that they obliged to content
themselves "without having had glimpse Of
the largest and remarkable cities in the world we
shall look with interest for confirmation Of the
statement that the steamers actually lay in front Of the
city of Jedo
u. S. SHIP VAspALA
Bay Of Jeddo, Japan, Apri, 1854.
We sailed from Lew Chew the 3lst January in com
pany with the Macedonian, Southampton, and Lexington
and without any thing particular occurring the pas
February, whore the Commodore with the three steamers
joined having sailed several days after Each steamer
then took one Of the sailing Vessels tow and
manner entered tho bay, Of the beautiful in
the world and whereno foreigner had ever visted be-
FORE Our ships with their sails furled moving up at
the rate Of eight miles hour against head wind,
astonishing sight to the natives who in great numbers
were looking at us from the shore.
Previously to the Commodores visit last year they had
never steamer The Japanese had expected that
we would have stopped where the Commodore did before
viz M lssfla 90,
the bay where they had made preparations receive us
but he resolved to get the capital possibe
SO we and anchored in the middle of the bay with
in eight miles of the city Notwithstanding the entreaies
Of the Interpreters to the contrary About two weeks
were spent here in fixing upon place to negotiate the
Japanese importuni to 90 back to Uraga, while the
Commodore insisted upon going to Jedo They objected
SO strongly however, that he at last determined
ciliate them, and compromise effected by which
the town Of Yokohama was appointed the place of
meeting between the Imperial Commissioners and himself
This place contains about 5000 people, and situated
the shore just opposite the then anchorage of the ships
So We sailed in and moored in line with broadsdes
bearing upon the town.
On the 9Th of March, the day appointed for the first
meeting, quite display made. About nine hundred
otcers, seamen and marines, armed to the teeth land
ed and with drums beating and colors flying were drawn
up on the beach ready to receive the Commodore As
soon as he stepped shore the bands struck up saute
were fred the marines presented arms and followed by
long escort of oicers he marched up between the lines
and entered the house erected by the Japanese expressly
cd the shore and the neghboring elevations looking on
with good deal of curiosity and interest The house
was nothing but plain frame building, hastily put MP
containing large room-the audience hal-and seye
raj smaller for the convenience Of attendants SC. The
floor was covered with mats and very pretty painted
adorned the sides The long tables and benches
covered with red woolen stuff placed parallel to each
other three handsome brazers filed with burning char
COAL the floor between Them and few violet-coored
Grape hangngs suspended from the ceiling completed the
furniture Of the room As entered took seats
m orf tho fohla Nha
crs, all Princes of the Empire, came in and placed
themselves opposite to the other table, while be-
hind us both seated the floor their knees their
usual position, for they do not use chairs was crowd
OF Japanese oicers Mandarins, &c., forming the train of
the Commissioners.
After the usual forms and ceremonies the "pow wow
commenced The business carried in the Dutch
language through interpreters of whom they have srye
raj who speak very WELL and two or three who speak
little English They were their knees between the
Commissioners and the Commodore Our interpreter was
seated by the side of the latter It was curious to see
the intoerable ceremony observed by them quite hum
liating to Democratic Republican. question proposed
had to pass first through tho Interpreters and then
through several Mandarns ascending in rank before it
could reach the Commissioners every one bowling his |
forehead to the floor before he addressed his superior
Refreshments served Immediately elegantly lack
cred dishes first of all tca which, in China is the
constant beverages then different kinds of candy and
sponge cake they excellent confectoners and very
fond of sugar lastly, oranges and paatable liquor
distilled from rice called sacki fimsy banquet like
tnS was NOT very nSroeuUic 10
we, and the more Disappointed for, the ia
panese using only chopscks, had previously to
ing ashore, taken the precauon shrewdly thought
to provide ourselves with knives and forks. Imagine
then, chagrin when finding nothing substantial upon
which employ theml What left ON our plates was
wrapped in paper and given to carry away accord
ing to the usual custom in Japan
The Commissioners intelligent looking men, richly
dressed in gay silk petcoat panaloons and upper gar
ments resembling in shape ladies' short gowns. Dark
cooed stockings and two elegant swords pushed through
I'm a.. II
darins and high officials are dressed in this manner Mer
chants aborers SC. not permitted carry swords
and instead Of petticoat rowsers tights made of
coarse cotton stuff. Straw sandals are worn but are
always slipped off upon entering house They do not
the head the top and front part Of which is shaved
and the back nnd side hair being brought up tied SO
to tail three four inches long that extends
ward upon the bald pate terminating about half way be-
tween the apex and the forehead. 1t is very comfort
able fashion and 1t not for the quantity of grease
used in dressing 1t, would be very Clearly one.
Two audiences o week were held, at which the same
programme performed related above except that
ed With taste, they Toasted with broth made Of
fish, boiled shrimps hard boiled eggs and very good
oysters At of the interviews the presents from
Government delivered. They consisted of cloths
agricultural implements, firearms &c., and beautiful
locomotive tender and passenger car fourth the
binary size, which put in motion circular track
ut the rate Of twenty miles hour mile Of magnetic
telegraph nlso erected shore and put in operation
Tho Japanese more interested in it thaany thing
they Of conccaling and controlling their feelings that
they would examine the guns machinery, sc. of the
steamers without expressing the slightest establishment
They much finer looking than the Chinese-in-