Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-05-14
orr ron THE JAPANESE.
Especial Correspondence of The Star

NORFOLK, Va, May ~
Dear Star: The new and magnificent iron
steamer Philadelphia left Washington Yesterday
at 20 p IN, in charge of Superintendent Mat.
tlngly, Captain WIN. Smith, Engineer Waples
and Pilot Walters. The weather, which was
unprOpitieUS at starting, turned into settled rain
as we proceeded down the Potomac; but the
courteous demeanOr and social intercourse on
board fully compensated for the storm without
AS well known to most Of your readers, the
Philadelphia was chartered by the Naval Com
mission for the purpose Of bringing to the FEDERAL
Capital o. a new and powerful Republic a mis-
sion of peace and amity from one of the most
ancient and populous Empires of the antipodes-
an honor conferred on MS perhaps too lightly es-
timated, when we consider that the most DO ;yer-
ful nations of modern ages have vdinly sought
but failed TO attain the same object
TIE COMMISSION AND THEIL GUESTS
The Naval Commissioners appointed to receive
and escort our distinguished visitors consists of
Capt - Dupont, Commander ). : Lee Lieut.
David ID. Porter, DIR. G. J Macdonald, Secretary,
and Mr.. A. c.. POrtman Interpreter
The guests of the occasion were, Capt G. A.
Magruder, L. 5 NJ, Purser c. Cunning ham,
c. w. Welsh, Esq , Chief Clerk, Navy Depart
ment; $. Archbod, Esq, Chief Engineer, 4. s.
N; John W Hogg, Esq, Chief Corresponding
Clerk, Navy Department.; Mr.. Ledyard son-in-
law of the Secretary of State; Hon II Winter
Davis aud Messrs Bache, Dupont, and Lee The
full Marine Band, under direction of Prof Scala
enlivened the trip.
! must not forget TO mention that Jas Worm
ley the well known Washington caterer of the
w tSt Esnd circles, mas Deen selected steward
to the Embassy during their stay in this country.
INCIDENTS OF THE DOWNWARD TRIP
The noble Potomac appeared to be bare and de-
serted by all sizes of water craft except the boats
of the fishermen. The Philadelphia pIoughed
her way through the surging swells running the
gauntlet of the shore seines, riding rough, shod
over the gill Eets and arrived OFF MARYLAND Point
90 miles from Washington, at Gas p. m. This
speed against wind and tide is equal to about 20
miles per hour. 1t was dark long before we
reached Blackison S lsland-rain in torrents fall
ing-almost gale blowing. On running into
the bay the steamer Louisiana, from Bait more,
was discovered two to three miles ahead, bound
to Norfolk. Her stern-lght was our guiding star,
hut We gave the Eastern Shore much wider
berth than did the Louisiana. When we opened
up the ocean, the heavy swells from the Capes
(Charles and Henry came surging on our far
board beam, and the gale increased, but the boat
took to her task as easily and naturally as the
drowsy child to its downy bed. The Philadel-
phla is one of the best boats for her capacity
have ever seen.
When the dawn opened we were nearly abreast
of Fortress Monroe at Old Point, and the Louisi-
ana was just drawing in to the wharf We passed
her about half mile ahead. spirited chase
after us then commemorative going steadily on
under ~ pounds of steam, while the fues Of our
pursuer belched forth continuous stream of the
densest smoke, and arrived at Portsmouth few
lengths In advance of US
In the Roads, three miles above Old Point, the
Anaeostia was patiently awaiting the arrival of
the Roanoke, to take on board the heavy freight
OF the Embassy. She still remains there, but
will come into port to announce to us the Roam
oke's first appearance inside the Capes.
Our downward passage was enlfvened by en-
tertainlng and descriptive variations of the char
acterst1cs, habits, and customs Of the japanese,
by the accomplished and courteous officers COM
prisinS the Commission, aud the Band PLAYED
series OF soothing airs the hour for retirement
approached.
A SERIOUS DISAPPOINTMENT.
The Roanoke has not been signalled. Fears
begin to be entertained for the-freshness Of our
magnificent bOquets, and the permanency of
Wormleys ice creams. A hint has been thrown
out, too, that considerable inroads have been
made on the "private storesn of the Commission
Should these fears be realized, what will become
Of the Japanese and ourselves! Heaven forbid
that zoe should die Of hunger or thirst. whatever
may become of the Embassy.
PORTSMOUTH, Sunday morning.
We are steaming up TO go down TO the Roads
and join the Roanoke, which arrived last nj ght
During yesterday the commission and guests of
the Phlladelphia amused themselves In visiting
the navv-yard, the Pennsylvania, Naval Hospital,
and In fishing, grabbing. sailing, and listening u
| the strains Of Scala's band. Every arrival from
below was sharply chased mp to learn IL IL broug hi
any tidtngs of the Roanoke. About noon the
clouds lifted, and the warm rays of early sum.
/ mer sun kindly lent their aid in absorbing The
| superfuous moisture of the continuous storm Oul
magnificent boquets were renovated; Wormleyt
i creams re-ieed; fish We're packed; and every on,
| co .fdently believed the Roanoke would be- an
nounced during the night.
| About 2 In the morning the guests In the por
staterooms were aroused by q stentorian hail from