Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-16
Correspondence of the New York Tribune.
Later from Japan.
u. s. STEAMER PowHATAs,
OF Cape King, Niphon,) Nav Ia, 1854.

OF Cape King, NiphonD May Ia, 1854.
am obliged, from want of time, to give YOU
but brief report OF our doings for the past
month. After the diplomatic negotiations in
Yoko-hamma were concluded, the survey of
the bay was vigorously carried on, and in spite
OF rough and stormy weather, made good pro-
gress. On the 9th of April the Saratoga fired
her salute of departure, and sailed, amid hearty
cheers from the remaining vessels of the
squadron.
Before the fleet went down to Simoda, lone
the the ports designated in the treaty as open to
American ships) the commodore desired to
have a view of Yedo, which desire met with
great opposition on the part of the Japanese,
who were struck with horror at the prospects
of our frewheel ships anchoring under the
walls of the imperial palace. AS the commo-
dore remained 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 disembowelment. We
were all not little excited, when, on the
morning of the 9Th Of April, the ships got
under way. Yensake, the chief interpreter,
with some other Japanese, were on board the
flag ship. They looked haggard and alarmed
ally, was petrifed with alarm, and frequently
do? Oh, no; Commodore Perry has good
heart; he certainly will not do So" We stood
across the bay, and then, at distance of three
miles from shore, made directly up toward the
imperial city. About ten o'clock we had the
lighthouse of Kowasacki abeam, on the left
hand, while before us, in a long semi circular
line, stretched the white houses of Yedo. AT
the lighthouse commenced the suburb of Sim
egawa further toward the city were many
large junks at anchor behind them great
many smaller craft, while crowds of fishing
boats and junks of all sizes covered the bay
mound, or eminence, lowered above the
houses of the city, near its centre, and from
the turrets and shining white fronts of buildings
covering it, we judged this to be the imperial
palace.
By this time the sailing vessels were 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 anchorage, to the infinite re-
lief of the Japanese officers, who speedily re-
covered 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 an
choring at Yedo; it was a matter of curiosity,
lives--for / really think the Japanese officers
fools enough to kill themselves-and would
have created ill-feeling towards u.s. So the |
commodore has kept his word-gone in sight |
Of Yedo, and without driving the Japanese to
desperate measures. Icannot but express my
admiration of the mastery manner in which |
Commodore Perry has managed this difficult
business from the beginning He has sue
ceeded in combining dignity and frmness so
happily with kindness and cordially, that he |
has made our squadron and our country re-
spected without humiliating the national pride
OF the japanese.
On the 18th of April we hove anchor and |
stood down the bay towards Simoda, our port |
in Nippon. Simoda is situated near Cape |
Fogu, sixty miles west from Point Segami, on the
entrance of the bay of Yedo, and not far from
the point where we first made land in coming
to Yedo last year. 1t is good, commodious
harbor, well sheltered by hills several hundred |
feet high. 1t has only moderately large en-
trance toward the south, with rock within the
entrance which affords still more protected
anchorage. The little town of Smoda, of about
! 1000 houses, is situated at the northwestern
end of the harbor, on the banks of a small |
stream which flows down through fertile val |
ley, often not more than half mile wide, and |
again widening to one and half miles. Sew
eral little brooks offer good watering places for
the ships. The larger Japanese junks mostly
anchor at Kowasaehi, village Of about 500 |
houses, on the northeastern end and opposite
Simoda. There are eight temples-some of
which are very large-in the town, and little
chapels (mid) on almost every eminence and |
by the road sides. In the location of their |
buildings for religious purposes the Japanese
ahnu Hpa iaft 0f fha Mo
and in general they seem to be great lovers Of |
nature. On eminences, whence fine views are /
TO be seen, spaces under the trees are cleared. |
and here the fellows sit smoke, or picnic for
hours.
cannot say much concerning customs and
manners OF the Japanese, partly because il |
would be repetition of what others have said
before me, partly because have not the time
and space necessary; enough, that we have
ample opportunity verifying most of what for
mer writers have said of this strange people.
The country is exceedingly picturesque, and
resembles 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 sew.
eral branches. Following either of them, you
pass through numerous gorges and glens, and
finally the barren tops of mountains, some 1000
feet high. Their SUBMITS and the narrow table
lands are covered with bushy grass, among
which a certain berry, upon which pheasants
and partridges feed, grows very plentifully
This is fine ground for sportsmen, who might
soon bag dozen Of those plump, golden-green
birds.
In one Of the larger temples, place has
been arranged for the daguerreotype, and Mr..
Brown is actively at work. He has obtained
many very fine daguerreotypes Of the Japa.
pense, and will have a fine collection 10 show
when he reaches home. Mr.. Heine continues
his sketching, drawing, painting, cunning,
SHINING, pressing, and preserving plants.
Lieutenants Murray, Bent, Whiting, Bamboo,
etc, ETC., have been busily engaged
in the survey, and deserve no small credit for
heir exertions and the important results they
have obtained. Mr.. Bent Is now Flag Lieu.
enant. The Commodore expects the Imperial
in simoda for fnal settlement
'f coinage, weights, postage regulations, etc,