New-York daily tribune., 1854-09-14
A MONTH LATER FROM JAPAN.
THE SQUADRON BEFORE JEDO.
APPEARANCE OF THE CITY.
VISIT TO SIM MODA.
COM. PERRY SAILS FOR cHAkooAoe.
Correspondence 81 The N. Y. Tribune
II 6 S1rAMrp POWH ATAE.

on, and in spite of rough and stormy weather male
good progress On the 9th of April the Saratoga
fred her salute of departure, and sailed, amid
hearty cheers from the remaining vessels of the
squadron.
Before the feet went down to Simoda, lone of the
ports designated in the treaty as open to American
sbps the Commodore desired to have view of Yedo,
which desire met with great opposition on the part Of
the Japapese. who where struck with horror at the
prospects of our ire-whee ships anchorng under the
walls of the Imperial Palace. AS the Commodore re-
manned firm in his purpose some Of them declared that
the dropping of the anchor under the walls Of the
former would be the signal for their own disembowel
ment We were all not little excited, when on
the morning Of the sth Of April the ships got under
way Yenske, the chief interpreter with some other
japanese were on board the flag ship. They looked
kaggard and alarmed as we steamed up the bay.
Yepske, especially, was petrfed with alarm, and
frequently said "Do you really intend to remain in
"Yedol Oh, no. Commodore Perry has a good
"keart; be certainly will not do So" We stood
across the bay and then of distance Of three miles
from shore, made directly up toward the imperial
city. About 10 o'clock we had the lighthouse Of
Kowasack abeam, on the left hand, while before us.
in long semi circular line stretched the white houses
ofYedo. At the lighthouse commenced the suburb
Of Sinegawa; further toward the city were many
large iunks at anchor; behind them a great many
smaller craft while crowds Of fishing boats and junks
of all sizes covered the bay. A mound or emf
nence lowered above the houses Of the city, its
center and from the tuets and shining white fronts
Of buildings covering ii, we judged this to be the
Imperial Palace.
BY this time the sailing vessels far astern, and
only the Powhatan and Mississippi lay before the
town. Commodore Perry halted for about half an
hour and then returned to the old American anchor
age to the infinite relief of the japanese officers who
speedily recovered their good spirits. cannot deny
that we all felt somewhat disappointed, although we
felt convinced the Commodore had pursued the wisest
course At the time, no important result could have
been obtained by our anchOring at YedO; it was
matter Of curiosity not worth gratifying at the price
of several lives-for really think the japanese Of
cels fools enough to kill tbemseves-and would have
created illeeliDg toward us. SO the Commodore has
kept his word-gone in sight of Yedo and without
driving the japanese TO desperate measures. can
not but express my admiration of the mastery man
ner in which Commodore Perry has managed this diff
fcult business from the beginning He has succeeded
in combining dignity and frmness so happily with
kindness and cordially, that he has made our squad
ron and our country respected without humating the
national pride of the japanese
On the 10th Of April we hove anchor and stood
down the bay toward Simoda our port in Nippon.
Simoda is situated near Cape F0gu, sixty miles west
from Point Segsmi, the entrance of the Bay OF
Yedo, and not far from the point where we first
made land in coming to Yedo last year. II Is
good, commodous harbor, well sheltered by hills
several hundred feet high. Ii has only moder-
atey large entrance toward the south, with
rock within the entrance which atfOrtls still more
protected anchorage. The litle town Of Simoda, OF
about 600 houses is situated at the northwestern
end of the hArbor, on the banks of small stream
which flows down through fertile Hey, often not
more than half a mile wide and as widening 10
IA miles Several little brooks offer good watering
places for the ships. The larger japanese junks
mostly anchor at Kowasacki, village Of about 300
houses on the north eastern end and opposite Simoda
There are eight temples-some of which are very
larre-n the town, and little chapels (mia) on al
most every eminence and by the road sides. In the
location Of their buildings for religious purposes the
Japanese show fine appreciation of the picturesque,
and in general they seem to be great lovers of na-
ture. On eminences whence fine views to be seen.
spaces under the trees are cleared and here the fell
lows sit, smoke, or picnic for hours.
I Iospnot say much concerning customs and man
ners of the japanese, partly because 1t would be
n rendition of what others have said before me,
partly because have not the time and space necos-
sarv; enough, that we have had ample opportunity
verifying most of what former writers have said of
this strange people.
The country is exceedingly picturesque and re-
sembles very much the lower ranges of the Alps.
Along the little river Of Simoda are many villages,
and numbers of rice mills stamp and grind along its
banks About six miles from the bay this river
divides into several branches. Following either OF
them. You pass through numerous gorges and gens,
and finally the barren tops Of mountains, some JOoo
feet high Their submits and the narrow table lands
are covered with bushy grass, among which certain
berry upon which pheasants and par ridges feed,
crews very plentimlly This is fine ground for
snortsmep who might soon bag dozen Of those
plump, golden-green birds.
In one of the larger temples place has been
arranged for the daguerreotype, ard Mr.. Brown IS
actively at work. He has obtained many very me
daeuerreotyres of the japanese, and will have dse
collection TO show when he reaches home. Mr.. Hetne
continues his sket hing, drawing, painting, cunning
sknning, pressing, and preserving plants. Lieuts
Murray, Bent, Whiting, Bamboo, Nicholson, etc,
etc, have been busily engaged in the survey, and
deserve no small credit for their exer'ons and the
important results they have have obtained Mr. Bent
Is now Flag Lieutenant The Commolor expects the
Imperial Commissioner in Simods for final settle
nent Of coinage weights postage regulations, etc,
etc 10 hich end our coins, measures and weights
have hteI sent to 1edo This will take place
when we return from ChakOdsde which port in future
viii be probably great resort for our whalers TO
-. xr;n fouf,
edy be our coal depot and the station Of the future