The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-07-04


who died after the arrival of the squadron in
the harbor We copy below this correspon-
dence, perusal of which will amply repay
the reader
Us. STEAM FRIGATE MIssIssIPPI)
BAY OF JEDDO, JAPAN,
March lst, 1854.
We remained in the waters of China from
the time of my last letter to you, November
cath, until the l4th of January, when in com
pany with the other steamers of the squad
ron, with store ships in tow, we took our de-
parture again for Japan, by way of the island
of great Loo Choo At this place we staid
week. On leaving the harbor of Hong Kong,
the English Admiral, Sir Fleetwood Pellew,
gave lis cheers and salute, which were re-
turned from our flag ship.
Our stoppage at Loo Choo was marked by
nothing of interest, with the exception of the
purchase of a coal depot, over which our flag
was raised, and we found that the natives,
during our absence, had managed to learn to
say American, how do you do?''
We left Loo Choo on the morning of the
7th of February-the sailing vessels having
gone some days before,-for the Bay of Jed,
do; and though at this inclement season of
the year, we had every reason to expect head
winds, we were lucky enough to get what the
Cdll SIdlit, anu lOE IOuT uayS
on our course almost under canvass alone, at
the rate of knots, until the night of the
llth which found us cropping about between
some volcanic islands off the Japanese coast;
and the fact that during the day we had run
near to some dangerous rocks, not laid down
on any chart, and that it was so thick and ha-
zy that one steamer could not make out the
lights of another, did not contribute to the
particular comfort of any one. On the next
the air was piercing cold, and we felt it all
the more sensibly, because Of our long stay
IN the milder temperature of China. Upon
going on deck, the scene was one of attrac-
tlvenesS and novelty. On the right was the
barren island of Ook osima, with its volcano
in a state of irruption: the smoke from its
darkening jaws rolling in thick convoutions
or curling away into naught, like incense
from Natures own altar while right ahead of
us, almost binding US as they glistened in
the sun, were the mountain ranges of Japan
covered with snow-the real genuine article.
could hardly believe my eyes had not
seen such thing for SO long time Having
drifted good deal during the night we found
ourselves In the morning opposite the Wr0ng
bay; and it was lucky that it was so; for close
in under the land we espied two ships of the
same squadron: the sloop- -ofwar "Vandalia"
and the Race "Macedonian," the latter of
which we learned by signals was ashore
She had run on coral reef the day before,
and had thrown over some of her shot
and shells and was ON the eve of
throwing over her guns, with buoys at
tached, when we hove in sight. In
the afternoon, the sea being smooth, the
Commodore directed this ship to pull her off,
which she did in fine style, only parting one
hauser in the undertaking. Owing to this
detention we did not enter the bay of Jeddo
until the morning of the 18th of February,
when we ran up that bay with shotted guns,
ready for whatever might happen. Instead
OF feeling his way cautiously as on the occa-
sion of our first visit, the Commodore showed
them that the Americans had now 'got the
measure of their foot" and now he held his
way past their forts, encampments, &c. to
their inner bay, and anchored his squadron
considerable distance higher up tn an we had
ever been before.
Our present anchorage is opposite the town
of KanaquOa, which is surrounded by bold
landscapes clothed in hemlock and pines and
dotted with cultivated fields, having as back
ground range of dark irregular mountains,
whilst in the extreme distance, lifting its
form $4,000 feet into the heavens, is the Ja-
panese extinct volcano of Fudsee Jamma-s
This mountain is said by the Dutch, who have
travelled In sight of its base, to resemble the
celebrated peak of Teneriffe in the Canary
Islands. do not remember to have beheld
sight of more majestic grandeur and beau
ty-not even Teneriffe, Of which, however, l
had very distant view, whilst running down
the trades" off the coast of Africa. 1t was
a glorious thing to look on the other morn
ing, wrapped III Its complete mantle of snow,
the just setting moon scattering blueish
light down one side of it, whilst the Just ris.
ing sun was gliding with its rays another
One never tires of looking at the picture that
the mountain now presents, towering up in
Its marble mystery, solitary and bliine. The
other day the mastheads of each ship in the
squadron were decked with the American
ensign, in honor of the "22nd February
and at midday a salute of 81 guns was fired
from each vessel thought it fit presence
III which to remember GEORGE WASHINGTON:
Tor there was the lofty peak, towering mot
only till 1t reached the skies; but till it pierc.
ed them," typifying the height anu grandeur
of his fame and glory and there was its spot
less mantle OF snow, emblematic of the puri-
ty of his character.
THE letter then goes into description of
the arrival of the Japanese officials Oh board
their friendly demonstrations-their pro-
position to open negotiations at Oragawa,
some distance below, which was declined by
the Commodore on the ground that he
coul dn't 'tread a step backward" and the
final arrangement to meet at or near Yoka-
hama not tar from the feet; all which has been
already described.
We are now within seven miles of Yeddo,
the great city, and our surveying boats which
have b en- kept going daily since our arrival
under Lieut. W. l.. MAURY brother of Il. H.
Maury of our city, have been nearly to the
city itself, in whose vicinity the water is
shoal
Whilst the buildings are being prepared
for the negotiation) the japanese officials
who come otto the ships are treated with
much attention, which they seem to appre-
ciate and express desire to return, There
was Il dinner given On one of the steamers
to Yezamon, one of the hereditary princes
OF the Empire, and governor of the adjoining
province of Oragawa, in which we landed
last year. He had with him suite of ten,
amongst whom was fussy little officer OF
artillery-his head not shaven like the rest,
he said because of his health-who showed
considerable facility in working one of the
small brass pieces on deck, also in making
quick and quite accurate sketches of our
guns and their tangent sights Our guests
we're little awkward at first in the use of
rhe utfa nd Oh 20 h,,t