The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-07-12

riment upon Captain Adams suggesting
that instead Of returning to Uraga, perhaps
a more favorable anchorage might be
found higher up. and nearer the capital
which would also be more convenient fol
the high officers to be sent from Yedo, as
we'll as in accordance with the customs o
other nations.
The following day (l4th) another inter
view was held on board the Powhattan
when the Japanese renewed their urgency
about the meeting being held at Uraga
where on the previous occasion everything
had passed in so amicable and pleasant a
manner, and to which the Commodore had
said he would return. Finding that Urags
was still objected to, they then proposed
Kamakura, where the Macedonian had go
ashore, and which he held to be much
more convenient place than Kanagawa
between the present anchorage and Yedo
as suggested by DR.. S. w. Williams. Bu
alter much talk on the subject, the Japan
ese at length left it to the Commodore to
select place for the interview. Before
taking leave the deputation said il the ships
needed water or provisions, boats would
be sent with supplies, but they were told
that except water, nothing else was likely
to be required.
After mature consideration, Commodore
Perry decided to send Captain Adams in
the Vandalia to meet the Governor of the
Province at Uraga. Capt. Adams was
there informed by the Governor that every
thing was ready for considering the terms
of a treaty between Japan and the United
States, and if the Commodore (or, as he
was termed. the AdmiraD would come to
Ura2a, it would be concluded before the
going down Of the sun. 1t is supposed
however, that what was here meant by g
treaty was favorable reply from the En-.
peror to the Presidents letter on the sub
jec;. But Capt. Adams reiterated that the
Commodore would not come to Uraga
where he had found the anchorage to be
indifferent, but would meet the Japanese
Commissioners at Yokohama, off the pres
ent anchorage Of the flag ship, ten or TWEEN
ty miles from Uraga. Capt. Adams re-
joined the squadron on the 24th OF Febru
ary, and the following day the japanese
officers visited the flag ship to settle the
place of meeting, when the Commodore
among other things, told them that, having
been entrusted with so many ships. which
where seventeen thousand miles from
home, he was reasonably anxious abou,
their safety, and experience had proved to
him that Uraga did not offer to him SO Sc
cure an anchorage as where they now lay
Some discussion ensued but finally it was
arranged ,hst the meeting should be held
at Yokohama.
Eleven days afterwards the meeting took
place; and in the interval, entertainments
were interchanged by the American and
Japanese officers. Atone or two given by
Captain Buchanan. the Governor of Uraga
as we have seen in Keying and other high
Chinese officials, at once fell in with for
eign observances in toasting and speech
Tying. Captain Buchanan proposed the
health of the Emperor Of Japan, which
was drank standing "with all the honors,'
and was acknowledged by the Governor
of Uraga, who in return similarly propos
ed the health OF the President of the Uni
ted States. The Japanese took their Ii
quor freely. especially champagne and Ii
quors, greatly admiring the glassware tina
contained them; and expressed a hope tha
the time ,Oas at hand ,0hen they Dould be a
liberty to visit foreign countries in steam,
ers and ships Of three masts.
1t was during this interval that an Office
of the squadron approached Yedo, and
he did not actually enter it, at least wa
near enough to judge Of its appearance
and to ascertain, what, however. we be
lieve q surveying party had done before
that close to the shore there is five fa,hom
water, so that it can be approached b,
large ships. The city is in the form Of
crescent, and stands on an extensive plail
with magnificent background Of noun
tains and wooded country; but it seems t
possess no striking public buildings, Will
the dwelling houses are generally Of on
story, and therefore present nothing impo
sing in their appearance, except their vas
numbers and the space they occupy. Tn
population of the capital has, however
been greatly exaggerated. for though it i
j certainly great, the Japanese officers them
selves placed Yedo third among the cite
Of the world. London. they said, being tn
first, and Paris the second.
! On the 9th, the preparations were com
pleted for the reception OF the Commodore
who, by the by. insisted on the removal {
the screen work which extended from tn
shore to the hall, and which shut out III
public gaze. Between l 1 and 2 O'Clock
the marines having been mustered by Majo
I Zeilin, twenty boats belonging to tn
squadron, manned with armed seamer
and under command of Capt. Buchan ar
conveyed the cortege to the shore, an
!, waited the arrival Of the Commodore an
suite, consisting Of Capt. Adams, DR.. Wi
! liams the interpreter, and the secretar,
, Mr.. o. H. Perry. who landed about moor
under salute Of seventeen guns frol
the Macedonian, the men in the boa
, standing up and the officers on shore b,
/, ing uncovered. The procession then mo,
: ed forward. the band playing "Hail c.
3 lumbia" and tho presidents March,"
VI On entering the hall, the Commodol
4 was received by four Commissioners al
!, pointed for the purpose. They we're
. .First-Hayas ashi. with the title Of Daig,
\ ku-no-Kama, or Prince Councillor.
!, Second-Ido, Prince ofTsus- sima, 9TH
group of islands lying between Corea an
Japan.
3 Third-Idzuma, Prince Of Mimasaki, {
4 IL T..