The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-17

FUNERAL or An AMERICAN sAuoR-One of the standing
opinions about the japanese destined be thrown down
byOomodore Perry has BEEN that they were inrinciby
noIerant of Christianity Indeed this has generally been
assigned a main for their excusiyeness To the
emblem Of the Cross they s object but the story of the
expelled Portuguese that every Christian landing Japan
required to trampe IT. representation Of the
Virgin and Saviour must true have been almost entire
ly confined TO themselves and their coresionists Mort
recent writer's who have been able deny that such i.
the custom tell the practice of religious rites 4
prohibited by rreyocable japanese laws but the following
narrative of the funeral Of marine of the United State.
squadron shows that there is little foundation for III,
statement for the other.
"On the 9th Of March the day following the first meeting
between Commodore Perry and the imperial commissioner
from Yedo TO negotiate the a commercial treaty
n soldiers and Chrstan burial was given To A marine
Robert Williams who had died few days before on board
the steamer Mississippi The party detailed for this pur-
pose consisted Of several officers of them the chaplain
in his gown escort Of eight marines in charge of
poral and four marines bearers of the eorpse Two
boats left the ships one containing the officers and the
other the body and escort Upon reaching the shore the
party met by several japanese officials ready to con-
duct them TO the grave The landed FIRST and re-
ceved the body with the usual honos The little process
sion then formed first the escort followed by the
music, drum and fife; next the body borne on the
shoulders Of four messmatcs and then the chaplain with
the other officers and few sailors from the boats bring
ing up the rear In this order with the music plavinu
dead march, the party moved to the grave winding
through the streets Of village distance of nearly half
th sue OF lnc IOhoy ana on the surround
ing hills at the foot Of Of which the grave had been
made thousands OF peoplemen, women, and children
could be seem m maniesung eager curiosity to witness
sight entirely novel in their land.
could not bat think as passed along how sraugc
not only the procession but each Of individually must
appear to that eager hrong not Of whom probably
had before looked upon the face Of stranger from
foreign country and yet there undue noise made
or apparent alarm the part Of any OF hemonly intense
interest in observing what passing before them As
We neaed the grave (which occupied very pretty spot
the voice Of the chaplain could be heard am the resr-
recon and the life saith the Lord he that believeth in
me though be were dead yet shall he live and whatsoever
hveh ana beieyeih Ia me shall die As we gather
ed round the grave the reading Of the beautiful ana
touching burial service proceeded the scene was one
usual Interests for the time and place and Circumstances
all conspred 70 make IL incident honorable 10 opr
short ojourn in land where for centuries II h said the
symbol Of our religion has been rodden under foot The
churchbnria service ended the fred three voeys
over the grave had expected that this there wouid
have been commotion among the crowd but noticed
only at the first discharge that for there was
slight movement Of surprise and then all were again
quiet and attentive observors'- China Nail 1Jril G.