Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-10-12
tFrOm the Washington Union.l
LETTER FROM COM. PERRY.

LEI Len rhOA COA. fEhh1.
The following interesting information
has been received from Commodore N
C. Perry, commanding the United
States naval forces in the East India
China, and Japan Seas, dated U. S
Steam Frigate PowHArAN, HARsoR OIL
HAKoDAD1, Island of Jesse, Japan
Tuesday, May 80. 1854:
have examined the ports of Simods
and Hakodsdi, which are to be opened
to the vessels of the United States
and am happy to inform the Department
that. with respect to geographical posi-
ton. convenience of ingress and egress,
and commodiousness for all purposes
required, they cannot be surpassed
This is one of the safest and most con-
venient harbors 1 have ever seen for
vessels of all classes, and it is sufficient
ly cspscious to hold half the navies of
the world.
The authorities and people Of the
two towns and their vicinities have mani
tested much kindness and attention -
The ships have been promptly supplied.
at reasonable prices, with wood, water,
and such other articles as the country
could furnish. The singular abstemi-
BUSINESS of the japanese from animal
food has never made it necessary for
them to rear and fatten animals for the
market, and hence the scarcity of that
ahment so necessary to the people of
the western nations. 1t is quite proba-
BILE, however, that they will hereafter
be better prepared to meet the demands
of the vessels visiting the two ports
Poultry and fish, and, at the proper sea-
sons, fruit and vegetables, may be OBJ
tanned in reasonable quantities, and one
or two ships could always be provided
with sufficiency for their wants.
At both places the officers and those
of the crews who have been permitted
to leave the ships go freely about in
town and country, and on fishing and
shooting excursions, visiting the shops,
the temples, and other places of interest,
without the slightest hindTance or mo-
lestation, and are everywhere treated
with kindness and respect, and especial
ly by the country people.
But one instance has occurred Of an
noyance to any one, and this was a.
Simoda; and on its being represented
to me, l demanded and received an
apology from the prefect, who disavowed
the acts of the officers who committed
the offense.
According to arrangement, l am to
meet one or more of the Imperial Com
missioners at Simoda on the 18th of
next month, (June, to settle various
matters connected with proper under
standing of the treaty; after this is ac-
complished, shall return to Hong
Kong by the way of Ohio -Sima, Low
Chew, and the ports of Ningpo, Fuh-
Chow and Annoy, in China.
The officers of my command have
constructed several valuable charts of
the harbors and coasts of Japan, and
our collection of specimens of natural
history, and of drawings, sketches, &C.,
is rapidly increasing.
One of the vessels of the squadron
is now engaged in making a reconnois-
sance of "Volcano Bay" convenient
anchorage about 10 miles from this
port.
Until this time l have not had it in my
power to institute in a thorough man
ner the researches and inquiries which
the Department has ordered in its in
structions of Oct. &c, 1859, May 16,
1853, and June IL, 1853, with respect
to the fate of our fellow-countrymen,
supposed either to have been lost at sea,
or to be still alive and held in captivity
in Formosa, or the Islands of Japan.
The authorities here have furnished
answers to my several inquiries upon
the subject, herewith inclosed, and l
propose to send the Macedonia, accom-
panied by the Southampton, to Formo-
sa, there to prosecute every possible
research. and at the same time TO ex-
anime the coal region of that Island.
As evidence of the good understand
ing subsisting, as well at this place as at
Kanagawa and Simoda, / may remark
that the project, governor, mayor and
other persons of rank visited this ship
by invitation last evening, and were en-
by me at a formal supper.
With great respect, l have the honor
to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
NJ. C. PERRY,
Commander-in-C Chief U. s. Naval For
ces, East India, China and Japan
Seas.
To the Hon. JAMES G. DoBBIE,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. I;
G.