Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-01-21

l dad not see those crowds of travellers, priests,
nuns, &C., described by Kempfer; the shops in
all the towns and villages were closed Except
cook shops and tea-houses), and The inhabitants
clad in their holiday clothes, knelt on mats
spread IN front of their houses; not sound was
heard, nor gesture indicative of curiosity seen;
all was respectful silence. The people were
ordered to cast down their eyes as passed, as
/ was too high even to be looked at but this
order was only partially obeyed, for the dear
daughters of Eve would have peep, regardless
of Consequences The authorities of the towns
and villages met me at their boundaries, and sa-
lnted me by kneeling and " knocking head -
they then led the way through their little juris-
dictions, and took leave by similar prostrations
To you, who know me so well, l trust need
not say that these ceremonies and slayish obser-
vances but i'll agreed with my simple habits, and
that they were utterly repugnant to my sincere
Republican principles. But what could do I.
l know that the ultimate success of the real OBJ
ject of my mission to Yeddo did, in fact, very
much depend on the state and ceremony which
was observed on my journey, and which would
attend my entry into Yeddo. Such being my
fe eiings and opinions, l did not, on the one
hand, demand any Of the honors, nor, on the
other, refuse them when offered to me.
O0 mOuudyY Tue OObu VI NONeluOeIt 4 udue
my entry into Yeddo. My followers put on their
camissiDos, or dresses of ceremony, decorated
with any quantity of eagles.
/ should not have known when ] passed the
line which separates Sinagana from Yeddo, had
not the spot been pointed out to me, as the
houses form q continuous street for some miles
before you reach the actual boundary of the city
From the gate by which entered the city to
my quarters was about seven miles. The streets
of Yeddo are divided into sections of 100 yards
BY gates and palisades of strong timber. This
enables the police to isolate any portion Of the
city, or any lane running through it, and thus
prevent the assembling Of crowds or mobs.-
When we approached gate it was opened, and
as soon as the rear had passed through 1t was
closed. The gates of all the cross streets were
also kept closed. could see immense crowds
beyond the gates, but the people on our actual
line of march were those only that occupied the
buildings on the route. Notwithstanding all
this, tie number that assembled was prodigious
The center of the way was kept clear, and the
crowd kept back by ropes stretched along each
side of the street. The assemblage was COM
posed Of men, women and children, of all ranks
and conditions-the women being the larger
number. estimated the two lines of people
that extended along the way, from my entrance
into the city to the place provided for my resi-
dence, to have been full 300, 900. Yet in all this
vast concourse did not hear single word, ex-
cept the constant cry of the Harbingers, SGtG,
sGtu!
You may think it impossible that silence
could have been maintained among so large
number of women, but assure you it was
SO.
The house prepared for me was situated with
IL r L r a.
portion Of the city, and large enough to accom-
modate five hundred persons, in the japanese
manner.
On my arrival was warmly welcomed by
my good friend the Prince of Sinano, who
showed me the various provisions which had
been made for my accommodation and comfort,
and which included chairs, tables, bedsteads,
&e., none of which are used by the Japanese.
The following day the Prince of Tamba Wis
tied me in great state. He said he came as 3
Especial ambassador" from the Emperor to con-
gratulate me on my arrival, and to ask after my
health After Eeceiying these somnlipents. and
aIarge box which he said was present to me
from his Majesty found the box contained
FIVE large trays of bon-bons, weighing over 100
pounds.
of fHotta, Chief of the great Council OF State
and Minister for Foreign Affairs. The visit was
a pleasant one, and the arrangements for my
audience we're completed. gave the Prince 8
copy of my intended speech to the Emperor,
and before left be gave copy of the reply the
Emperor would make to me. By this arrange
ment, the speaches being both traDslatedbefore-
hand, we would be enabled to dispense with the
presence of Interpreters at the audience. On
the Monday week after my arrival Iset out for
the Palace My train blazed cut in new silk
dresses, and my guard wore their breeches rol
led up to the middle Of the thigh. You must
know that the wearing of breeches in Japan is a
mark Of high rank, or if worn by an inferior, that
he is in the service of one Of the highest rank;
SO that the wearing of breeehSs here is as much
coveted as it said to bein certain quarters In
America, and that here, as well as IN America,
the article is type or emblem of power or
authority. A new flag, made of japanese Grape,
was carried before me. This flag Is the irst
foreign banner that was ever carried through
this great city, and mean to preserve it as a
precious relic. The distance from my resi-
dence to the Palace was over two miles. On ar
irving at the bridge over the third moat. or ditch,
ailmy train left their HOSES and nornmons and
proceeded on foot. ] continued in my norrimon,
and was carried over three moats, and through
as many fortified gateways up to the gate OF the
Palace itself. was received at the entrance
bytwo chamberlains, who, having "knocked
head, /" conducted me to an apartment where ]
found chair for my use. Tea, bon-bons, and
other refreshments, were then offered to me. A
large number of the Princes came to be pTesen-
ted to me. At length / was told the Emperor
was ready to receive me. 1 passed through a
large hall in which some 800 to 400 of the high
Ii Iii IL hal
ses, were kneeling, and as silent and as notion
less as statues; and from this hall ! entered the
audience chamber At this moments chamber
lain called out, in loud voice, "Merrican En-
bassador," and the Prince of Sinano threw him
self down and erawled along as | walked in
Mr. Heusken, my secretary, who carried the
Presidents letter, halted at the enhance, adj
vanced up the room, making three bows as
proceeded, and halted st the head Of two lines
ofmen, who were prostrate on their faces; those
on nv night were the five members ofthe Coun-
Gil of State, with the Prince of Bittsu at their
head, and those on the left were three brothers
of the Emperor. r. yJ9rza---E r-fsoaH
His Msjesty was seated on chair placed on
a dais, elevated some three feet above the floor
Of the chamber He was dressed IN yellow silk,
and wore black lackered cap that utterly defes
description. After 3 short -paRse, made my
address to him, and, aftera similar pause, he
replied to me in clear and pleasant voice.
When the Emperor had finished, Mr. Heusken
brought the Presidents letter to me. 1removed
the sllk cover (striped, red and whiteJ opened
the box, and displayed the writingto to the Prince
of Bittsu. who now stood up. Then closing
the box, i handed it to the Prince, who placed
iton laekered stand prepared for the purpose.
Mr. Heusken having retuTned to his place, and
theiPrince being againsprostTste, the Emperor
bowed to me, smiling pleasantly at the same
tims. This ended my audience, and backed
out ofthe room making three bows as retired.
-a'sygg tcOneladed so-morro.o.1