Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-12-02

PI1H'huA "LAohS Iue uelSuUOTlBP NILS, ana,
when satiated with cunning aud long walks,
the former turned his eye in the direction of
Yeddo. After while he received permission
to visit that city in his official capacity, and
the first thing that we know, he has obtained
the signing of an important Convention, and is
again at Simoda. This Convention was publish
ed in theUnited States, in January of this year,
and so | shall let it pass The manner in
which Mr.. Harris and his secretary went to
Yeddo is interesting. The Emperor sent him
a body guard of l20 men, and had comfort
able houses put up along the road to pass the
nights in. He also sent him large sedan
chair, carried by twelve bearers, and so roomy
that he put matrasS into it, and recined at
full length when he was tired of sitting. It's
only about seventy FIVE miles from this place to
1eddo; but the country is so rugged, and the
roads so bad the first part of the way that
they were seven days accomplishing the dis
tance. Every night they stopped at one of
the comfortable houses, which had been pre-
pared expressly on hiS account and after an ear
ly breakfast, resumed their road Upon reach
ing 1eddo, they were lodged in the most CON-
modious quarters, treated with the greatest re-
spect and attention, and granted interviews
e,
aware that every one, foreigner or Japanese.
who has heretofore approached the Emperor,
has been required to do so upon one knee. This
custom they determined to adhere to in the
present case but, somehow or other, it had
never before been so difficult "to bell the cat"
WhO was TO speak to Mr.. Harris about it 81
that was the question. Finally, japanese
Douglass stepped forward, and offered to brace
his huge shoulders to the task This gentle.
man was not the most determined man in ia
pan but then he was upon the most intimate
terms both of social and political intercourse
with the American Legation" He therefore
called upon Mr.. Harris, and commenced the
attack by begging that be would not be offend
ed by what he was going to say.
Certainly not Y says that gentleman. But
he has an inklng of what is coming, and look
of sudden and unusual gravity causes Douglass
to tremble. Instead, therefore, of broaching
the subject-he begs once more that His Ex-
cellency will not be offended at something,
which he, Douglass, has been ordered TO saw
and then-coughS, and looks behind him.
Certainly not 7" and an increase of gravity
in the Consular face Corresponding increase
Of nervousness on the part of Douglass. Great
tabeau, in which the American Eagle is sup
posed to dominate Final desperation of Doug
lass. and out-burSting of the secret.
Mr.. Harris listended quietly and kindly TO
all be had 10 say, and then replied with his
usual judgment and firmneSs of manner He
told him that he was anxious to do everything
that was consistent with self-reSpect to do hon
or to the Emperor, but that this thing was
out of question, and had better not be referred
Q 80 -
my country he said he might approach the
President in any manner he saw fit He might
kneel and knock his head against the focr, or
be might bow to him and shake hands. There
We allow every one perfect liberty and it is
but right, therefore, that l be allowed the same
here"
"Very well Very well ?" replied Douglass,
half apolOgetically. And thus was settled this
question 'Jor srer" remarked Mr.H.
Mr. Harris has been twice to 1eddo since
he was landed bY the San Jacini0, and remain
ed some three months each time He speaks
in most fatteriBg terms Of the primitive sim
plicity of the Imperial habits of the absence
of everything like maguifcence about his
palace and of the general kindness towards
him. He mentioned the case of one old lady
in particular, who was even now engaged in
the motherly task of making him some wadded
silk shirts. to protect him from the approach
ing winter These acts are trivial, but they in
dicate very plainly the nature of the japanese
telling towards Americans. Even the Empe-
ror has loaded him down with kindness When
he was lying sick at this place special mes
Senger arrived daily from YeddO, to ask after
his health. and to bring him some present, ex-
preSSive Of the interest that was felt in his re-
covery. The Imperial doctor was also sent to
attend upon him Such things as these have
never before been known in the history of Ja-
pan Our able Consul-Geueral has a very
poor opinion about the majority of books which
been written about the country. When, =
he queries" when will writer's learn to write
only that which they see ? A man has no need
of imagination her,-truth is strong enough
We live in a world OF romance, simply because
(referring to writers in general) the truth is
not in them y He however, speaks in the
highest terms o. Commodore Perrys course
while ont here, and mentioned many good re-
suits which are now flowing from it. He
was man of great good judgment, and accom-
plished as much good as any one could posi-
hlY under the circumstances He said Up
on one occasion ! thought differently myself,
but accepted his Judgment as more likely to be
correct Through personal observatiOn) than
my own"
Speaking of Commodore Perry, l asked him
how the japanese had treated the expensive
presents which that officer had presented them,
on the part of the Government, three or four
years back. "Well, / know I'm going TO sur
prise you now he replied " You know that
Commodore Perry gave them, among other
things circular railroad, an engine and tend
er, and brass howitzer-oue of the Dahlgren
guns. They have large house built for the
safekeeping of this railroad, aud every now
then take it out, lay the track, get up steam,
and then away go sdozen or more high officers
upon circular pleasure trip. JdPareseerg1nesrs