Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-05-15
Arrival of the United States Frigate Roam
oke in Hampton Roads, with the Japanese


night the steamer Anacosta, which was sta
toned in Hampton Roads to await the arri-
val of the steam frigate Roanoke, arrived up
and announced the arrival of that vessel IN
the Roads with the Japanese embassy, and
Immediately the Philadelphia began to make
preparations to repair thither with the gov
eminent officers appointed to escort them to
the capital.
A question Of etiquette is now pending as
to the diplomatic rank of the Japanese WISH
tors, which it is important to have settled
before they arrive at Washington, with a
view of preventing confusion or unklnd feel
ing among the diplomatic corps. 1t is I'M
derstood that some person here is authorized
to ascertain the capacity in which they come:
The government, it appears, has no official
information of its precise character.
NORFOLK, May l3-The steamer Phila-
delphia left Portsmouth at 81 this morning,
for the trgate Roanoke with the naval COM
mission and invited guests. The weather
was magnificent.
At 9.l5 the Philadelphia arrived along
side the Roanoke, whose sails were furled
and tops manned The band on board the
Philadelph played a national air when
Captain Dupont, Of the navy, Capt Taylor
Of the Marines Mr.. Lcdyard, the son-in-law
of the Secretary of State, and Mr.. Portman,
the interpreter, went on board the Roanoke
in the first quarter boat. The second boat
contained Commander Lee, Lieut.. Porter,
Secretary of the Commission, Mr.. Mcdonald
and the invited guests. The third boat took
the reporters of the press.
In the cabin of the Roanoke, Capt. Dupont
was formally presented to the ambassadors,
and exhibited his commission from the Pre-
sdent Of the United States, appointing him
to take charge of the embassy while IN
the-United States. Capt. Dupont also in
troduced Commander Lee and Lieut.. Porter
as his associates Also the Presidents in
terpreter.
Mr.. Ledyard was then introduced as the
representative of the State Department, and
welcomed them to the country. Ills re-
marks were briefly, but unntelhglbly re-
sponded to by the ambassadors. The cere-
monies being concluded and the treaty being
uncovered and exposed to view, friendly
intercourse took place and preparations for
going on board the steamer Philadelphia
were commenced.
The interview between the commissioners
|
much more republican than the latter ex-
pected, were conducted with great dignity
on both sides, and marked by apparent re-
cprocal confidence in each other. \ feel
ing Of deep interest pcryaded the spectators.
The Interpreters Of the embassy mixed
freely among the visitors, and responded to
the congratulations i'll tolerably good Eng
| lisI.
| WAsurNGroN Navy YARD, Sunday Even
ing, May l3.--The Roanoke having reached
Hampton Roads last night, we may calcu-
late upon witnessing one of the greatest de-
monstrations ot respect ever held since the
memorable visit of Lafayette to the shores
of America. The Embassy will land mt this
| Navy Yard, which now presents a degree OF
system, general excellence Of arrangement,
and cleanliness which cannot fail most ia
vorlbly tn strike the eye Of every beholder.
The official arrangements for tomorrow, are
liz follows:
All the officers of the Navy Yard, in full
uniform are to report themselves at the com
mandant's office ut ten o'clock.
The approach of the steamer Philadel phia,
with the distinguished visitors on board, will
be announced by the firing of one gun-on
which all the employees of the Yard will sus-
| pend work and proceed to the main avenue
between the commodore's Office and the prln-
cpal gateway, forming 4 line on each side
OF thatathoroughtare.
A review of nearly seven hundred skilful
American mechanics will form an interest
ing part OF the programme.
The square directly west Of the Marine
railway is reserved exclusively for the regu-
| | I Of, ,h
will he under command of Major Terrett, Of
the L. 5. marines. Upon the arrival of the
steamer salute OF seventeen guns will be
fired under direction Of Capt. Dahlgren.
This is the honor to which all foreign min
listers are entitled
The embassy will land at the southeastern
wharf of the yard, the point being designa-
ted by two hag-statfs, from which will huunt
in the breeze the star spangled banner and
the Japanese flag. The latter consists of
white ground, in the centre Of which is Il
red globe. The tlag is 81 feet in length, II
in breadth, and the globe is ten feet in
| diameter.
| The plan of arrangements submitted by
Commodore Buchanan was so cordially APP
| proved by the Secretary Of the Navy, that he
would not alter word.
| There remains in our garrison between
forty and fifty marines. and the navy yard
guard consists of between thirty and forty
we shall have on parade about seventy.
Then from the arsenal, under command OF
Major Ramsay, there will be an excellent
company Of ordnance men.
| About three hundred volunteers are now
reported for duty. The Washington Light
Infantry are also called, and will make a
splendid appearance.
| 4 SMALL SET-To IN THE BRrIrH PARL1A-
MENT.-Thc London writer's have made the
most of the scene of confusion which occur
red in our House of Representatives on the
occasion Of Lovejoy's speech; but the House
Of Commons have also had a scrimmage; and
at one time the prize-ring seemed to be trans
ferred to the door of St. Stevens. On the
Doth of April, at the close of a long and dreary
defamation by Sir Bulwer Lytton, whose
speeches are much duller than his books, the
House thinncd, and the ma ority who had lis
tened to him went to dinner, some to their
| homes or clubs, and others to the dining-room
Of the House. The members present were
reduced to about or below forty. the number
required to make House. The Tory bench
cs were deserted for tn. purpose of making
"count-out" possible. When the bell rang
to announce that the House was being coun-
| tod there WAS of course Il rush from the