Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-09-18
tcOr,..pSAasass 81 u. v. z. frieaasl
A MONTH LATER FROM JAPAN.
III, squadron hef.rs Jsddo.


u. 5. SrkANER PowHArAs,
or Cape King, CIsland OF Nphon,) May Ia, 1884.
am obliged, from want of,mc, to give YOU but brio
report Of dougs for tho past month. After the dplo
matte negotiations in Yoke hanna were concluded, the
survey the bay vigorously carried aud In spite
Of rough aud stormy weather, made good progress On
the eth Of April the Saratoga fired her salute Of depsr
ture, and sailed, amid hearty cheers from the remaining
vessels Of the squadron.
Before tho feet down Simoda, (ono Of the ports
designated in the treaty open to American shpsO the
Commodore desired to have view OF Jeddo, which
desire met with great opposition on the part OF the Japan
who suek with horror at the prospect OF ou
FIRE wheel ships anchoriug under the walls Of the lmpe
rial Palace A the Commodore remained firm In his pur
pose of them declared that the dropping Of yhc
Choir under the walls Of the former would be the signal fo
their own disembowelment.
We were all not little excited, when the morning
Of the sth of April the ships got under way fenskc
the chief interpreter with some other Japanese
board the flag ship They looked haggard and alarmed
We steamed up the bay. ienske especially was per6ed
with alarm, and frequently said, "Do you really iu-
tend to remain in Tedo =" "Oh, Commodore Perry
has good heart he certainly will do So" We stood
tho bay, aud then, distance Of three miles
from shore made directly up toward the Imperial City
About 10 O'clock had the lighthouse OF Kowasicki
abcam the left hand while before u.s. in long semi
circular line, stretched the white houses of Ycdo AT
the light house commenced the suburb Of Snegowa; fur
Their toward the city many large unks at anchor
behind them great many smaller craft while crowds oil
fishing boats aud junks Of all sizes, covered the bay
mound, cmiuence lowered above the houses OF the
city, its centre, aud from the and shining
white fronts Of buildings covering it, Judged this to be
the Imperial Palace.
BY this time the sailing vessels were far astern, and
only the Powhssn and Mississippi lay before the town.
Commodore Perry halted for about half hour and then
returned TO the old American anchorage, to the infinite
relief OF the Japanese officers who speedily recovered
their good spirits cannot deny that felt somewhat
disappointed although felt convinced the Commodore
had pursued the wisest At the time impor-
result could have been obtained by anchorngat Ye-
do matter OF curiosity, worth gratifying al
the price OF several ves-for really think the Japan
officers fools enough to kill themselvcs-aud would
have created i'll feeling towards SO the Commodore
has kept his word--gono in sight Of Yedo aud wthou,
driving the Japanese to desperate measures. canpot
but express my admiration of the mastery manner in
which Commodor Perry has managed this difficult bust
ness from the beginning lie has succeeded in combn
ing dignity and hrmness so happily with kindness and
corday that he has made squadron and our country
respected, without humiang the national pride OF the
Japanese.
On the 10th Of April We hove anchor, and stood down
the bay toward Smoda our port in Nippon. Simods il
situated Cape Fogu sixty miles from point Sa
gim the entrance of the Bay Of Yedo, and far
from the point where first made land in coming Ye
do last year. Ii q good, commodo,.s harbor, well
sheltered by hills several hundred feet high It only
moderately large entrance toward the SOUTH with rock
within the entrance which affords still protected
anchorage. The little town OF Simoda of about 200
houses situated at the northwestern end Of the harbor
the banks Of small stream which flows down through
fertile valley, often not more than half mile WIDE and
again widening to one aud ahalf miles Several little
brooks offer good watering places for the ships. The
larger Japanese junks mostly anchor at Kowasack viii
lage Of about 500 houses the end and
opposite Smoda. There are eight tempes-some Of which
very large-in the town, and little chapes (ma) on
almost every emnence and by the road sides In the
cation of their buildings for religious purposes the Japa-
show fine appreciation Of the picturesque aud IN
general they seem TO be great lovers Of nature Ga emf
whence fine views be seem spaces under
cleared. and here the feows sit
mic for hours.
cannot say much concerning customs and manners Of
the Japanese partly because would be repetition of wha
others have said before me- partly because have not the
time and space necessary enough, that have bad
Pile opportunity of verifying most of what former writers
have said OF this strange people.
The country sexceedngly picturesque and resembles
70 much the lower range Of the Alps. Along the ltlc
river OF Smoda many villages, and numbers OF rice
mills stamp and grind along its banks. About six miles
from the bay this river divides into several pIncnes Fol-
loving either OF them pass through numerous gorge
and gens aud finally the barren tops OF mountains some
5000 feet high Their summit and table lands are
covered with ously grass ampl: which certain berry
upon which pheasants aud cartridges feed grows VERY
plentfully. THIS IL a fine ground TOR sporI,men, who
might bag dozen Of those plump, golden green
birds.
In Of the larger temples place has been arranged
for the dsuguerreOiypc, and Mr.. Brown is actyey at
work He has ob: .jnel many fine dlguarotypes OF
the Japanese aud will have fine collection show when
he reaches home SIR. iiene continues his sketching
paInilg Cunning, skiOning, Pressing,
serving pl ants. Leuts. Murray, Beat, Whiting, Blm0oo
Nicholson, ETC. etc. have been busly engaged in the
survey aud deserve small credit for their eieTtions
and the mportan result they have obtained Mr Bent
FIG Lieutenant. The Comm dore expects the Impcra
Commissioner in Smoil for final settlement of coinage
"cgats, postage regulations etc. etc. to which end
coins measures and weights have Ycdo-
This will take place when return from Chakodade
which port in future will be probably great resort
whalers recruit and obtain supplies Smoia will
undoubtedly be our coal depot and the station Of the u
turn Caiorniau- Chinese line
Yesterday at daylight, the Mississippi AMI Powhatan
got under Tor Chakoldc Tor which place tho Mace
donii Vandala and Southampton sailed eight days ago
About noon were within three miles of the island OF
Ohosima and had fine opportunity of observing the
cc' of volcanic action which presents The whole island
is immense volcano the top Of which has fallen in
formed great basin, which necessarily bechcs forth
white smoke and ashes. Toe edges of the crater are
black if charred by fire. and the South. sester side
OF the island stream OTTAWA reaches from the summit "a
the Sea. Some large crevces continue still smoking and
200 ee high appears DO Of recent formation for the
bushes aud trees along the edges Of lava have yellow
burnt appearance. These slopes mountain are
with uKuriant vegetation and there are two towns-on,
table land aud the other on the top OF Der
Gill; near suspicious boxing crater. There IL said
to be third village the North side of tn,
island.
We are nov off Cape King, lao named by Vancouver
after his first lieutenant and Cape Blanco We are Wins
too taking long lines OF soundinss with the deep
lead which gives most satisfactory result will writ,
again by the first oppotunityfrom Chakodade il pos
sible