The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-05-16
Aithmonn Qispatth.
WEDNESDAY MORNING MAY l6. 1860
THE JAPANESE AT WASHINGTON.

THE JAPANESE AT WASHINGTON.
Scenes at Old Poimt-The Passage up the
River-Receptien In " Washimgton-ku ude-
ness Of the Americans, &C.. &c.
The telegraph yesterday gave an account of
the reception Of the Japanese at Washington.
a very interesting letter in the Baltimore
American furnishes us fuller accounts or
the transfer of the distinguished strangers -
from the Roanoke to the Philadelphia the let
ter says:
II was quite amusing to see the good. ma ,ured
freaks OF the japanese and the seamen be-
tween whom, it WAS plain TO perceive, the
most amicable relations mad been cultivated
and many friendships formed. But notwith-
standing mutual confidence had been inspir.
ed, it was plain to perceive that the former
were quite indispossd to trust their valua bic
personal effects 10 others, particularly when
the order was given that they should be car
rjed off Of the steamer and placed on board
the Philadelphia. Unable 10 understand each
other the jolly tars, upon seizing the packages
and bundles, hundreds i'll mum ber were stout
ly resisted by their guests, who succeeded at
last IN regaining their possession Finally,
the Interpreters fully explained the matter
when all worked together, and in Il couple of
hours the task was accomplished.
The reception at Old Point is thus de-
scribed:
of seventeen guns was fired by detachment
posted upon the rampartS, whilst the long
lines OF artillery, composed of seven compa-
h'es. through which the visitors passed, amid
the music OF the Fortress and Marine bands,
presented an imposing and thrilling scene
The Embassy, under escort proceeded to the
Hygeia Hotel, Messrs. Willard Il Segar, where
had been prepared bountiiul repast. The
Ambassadors expressed themselves very ia
vorabiy of the substantial character OF the
work, and seemed surprised at It's extent
Their visit must be long recollected, and
doubtless result in an introduction Of great
Improvements in their own means of defence.
In walking through the works, e2ch of the
Ambassadors, with their suite, consisting of
eighteen persons, walked arm-in-arm, either
with government official or a civilian.
The hour OF six had scarcely been struck ere
the shril whoop of the steam whistle and
splashing of wheels announced that the
steamer was on her way TO WashiEgton.-
4" Washis gfon, >" Washington - exclaimed
many of The strangers, as IL they were thrilled
at the mention of the name. When would
they get 10 Washington - was the question
of many. In less than one day, was the an
swer. which added TO their delight.
When the japanese first went on board the
Philadelphia they seemed unusually pleased,
never before having seen side wheel steamer
OF that build which can be propelled through
the water at the rate of nearly twenty miles
per hour; besides, the wide and lofty saloons,
spacious and well lighted berths and magnif-
cent furniture, rendered 1t far preferable to
the limited accommodations, at best, OF a war
vessel. AS the shades of Vening advanced all
retired to their beds, after i,artaking OF tea
In the meantime the boat continued her course,
and when the company arose in the morning,
she was rapidly passing the romantic scenery
OF ST. Mary's.
The speed of the boat rendered it necess ary
to lie to- in order that the En- bassy might not
reach the Metropolis before the hour OF noon,
the time designed by the Commission, and this
was done at a new landing called Evansville.
dow. ,1,ar
collected on the banks of The river. aLd We're
saluted with a "quickstep'' from the band as
the boat left Passing Fort Washington ma
tionai airs were played, and a solemn dirge off
Mount Vernon, when all those who could
communicate with the Embassy were busy in
telling them that in that sacred spot reposed
the ashes of the illustrious, the immortal
Washington. As the boat passed the wharves
Of Alexandria, as well as several steamers
crowded with passengers, the guests We're en-
thusiast ticaliy saiuted with cheers and shouts
Of welcome.
The reception at Washington is thus paint
ed:
a number of the inferior attaches of the
Embassy We're on the upper deck, bare headed,
and tanning themselves with small paper fans.
Some Of them (the doctors,) had their head.
completely shaved, not lock of hair being left,
whilst the Others had the forehead partly
shaved and all their hair brought up to the
top of the head and formed into a cue or roll,
pointing towards the forehead. This was the
first sight OF the japanese from The wharf,
and their loose dresses. wide sleeves, and pam
falcons with legs that they could crawl
through, combined with this strange arrange
lnent of the hair, gave them some what the
appearance of Chinese females. Their sta-
tuTe is also generally small, and their beard
less chins increases their feminine appearance.
Their countenaLces, however, spoke delight
that they had reached their destination, min
giei with pleasure at the scene that was
spread out before them OF thousands of up
Of ly,1yy, n
drew ont their sketch. books, aud commenced
to make drawings Of some object that at
tracted their attention. Another one took up
a sry-giasS and took deliberate view OF the
crowd of ladies that filled the balconies. He
appeared much pleased with the sight, and
called several others 10 him, who eagerly par
ticipated in the enjoyment
Shortly afterwards. the carriages contain
ing the members CT the Embassy, came out of
the gate. and were Immediately surrounded
by crowds of ragged and rude boys and i'll
mannerly men, thrusting their hands into the
carriages, climbing up behind, ana even at
tempting TO handle their clothing and swords.
All attempts to keep the carriages together,
amid such Il throng of vehicles, was futile, and
by the time the head Of the procession reached
the Capitol gate, the Embassy were separated
with q half dozen omni ibuses and private car
riages intervening between each carriage.
As the procession moved along, on the whole
line from the Navy-Yard gate the streets were
crowded with people, all anxious to get sight
noyance to which they were sublecte which
they seemed to take with good humor, their
countenances bore the evidence OF surprise at
every step i'll their progress. Their f1rst view
of the Capitol and the unfinished dome excited
great sur prise and their heads were ali stretch
ed out the windows OF their carriages as long
as it was in sight.
On reaching the avenue the crowd OF boys
and negroes around the carriages became more
dense. The black visages OF the negroes SEEM
"A n.1di f, thoyvn AZ
heartily. The negroes returning the laugh
with a broad grin, excited their merrlment
very much. On reaching the front OF their
quarters, at Wizards Hotel, the carriages
were surrounded by the negro waiteIs anu
hack drivers, ard they shook hands with them
with q cordiality that would have gratlned
Gerrit Smith, If he lad been present. The
negro was evidently novelty TO them-ahd
what their impressions were as 10 ms posiuon
in the country, and their being the first to
throng around them at the door OF their quar-
ters, would be worthy OF inquiry.
The reception rooms at Willard's were
densely thronged with the wives and daugn-
ters Of members Of Congress and other public
men, who assembled to receive these welcomed
visitors. Over an hour was required in an
exchange of courtesies before The Wearled
travellers were allowed to retire to their pri-
yate apartments, when the crowd slowly dis.
persed and the military returned to their quar-
ters.
The suite of rooms provided at Willards'
Hotel for their reception number sixty, and
have been newly furnished for the occasion
with beautiful and costly furniture. The
rooms are all private and yet SO constructed
as to communicate with each other. The
apartments set apart for the principal ENJOYS
are on the second floor, and front GU Pennsyl-
yania avenue. The principal Ambassador and
his Secretary are provided with a suite of four
rooms two bedrooms, a SittlDg-rOOm and
parlor, all opening into each other, which are
fitted un in most sumptuous manner. The
<.,r 10 nf hpN