Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-05-18
TUE JAPANEsE EMBASSY.
THE INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESlDENT-VISI
TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT-THE VISITOR

HE IN tEhN INV WITH NE PRESUMABLY ISL
TO THE STATE DEPARTMENTAL VISITORS
AT THE QUARTERS &c.
1t appears that the precise character of the mission Of
the japanese was not ascertaned till Monday night,
when they produced letter dated Yeddo, handsomely
written in English in which is stated that the Princes
come hher as ENJOYS extraordinary, with request that
they be presented to The President, through the State
Department Th letter was probably, prepared at the
instance of Consul General Harris.
Yesterday the scribcs OF the embassy were busiy en-
gagged writing dispatches announcing their arrival with
the incidents of the voyage to be sent to San Francisco
by the pony express and thence TO Japan The guests
have asked for moe private quarters at Wiards Hotel
and that their meak be to their rooms. This has
been accorded them Capt Dupont being assiduous in
his attentions promote their comfort. The 5 steam
figate Niagara Brooklyn, put in commission
Monday to be ready TO convey the embassy back TO
Japan. IL is thought she will be ordered TO Panama to
await their arrival there From the Star of asst evening
copy the fooS irg:
One of the mperias last evening, interested and
amused for a long line number OF ladies and gentle
men, who had collected together in the main corridor
by his curious examination Of various pieces OF money
hibited to him. well by popularity of manner 1t
difficult for him to conceive how two silver half dol
lars were the same Or equal in value 10 81 bank note
bill. He seemed to be able to comprehend how a gold
dollar might be the in value but the of the two
silver half dollars appeared to be TO him inexpicable.
After closely scrutinZng various descriptions OF money
II Il
he could be made tobeeve that this money intended
for him. but this being made clear TO him. he seemed
especially grateful and insisted on having the gentleman
who gave him the money write his name large sized
card which he drew from a side pocket and upon which
were also several Other names. The gentleman did
desired, when the Imperial after mnutey viewing the
name took his pencil aud wrote the name in his
chrogaphy, after which he wrote it in English, showing
his great power OF imitation by the skill and correctness
with which he copied the Like the Chinese, they
always write in perpendicular line, commencing at the
top and ending at the bottom Of the page.
About hafpast 10 o'clock Capt Lee appeared and d.
rected OF the servants to conduct this Imperial to
his room, as, he stated it time he should retire
This servant for reason did not perform this duty
HIMSELF but went aninformed another OF the same class
who approached the imperial in a manner which we IN
this country would regard as rather singular and bade
him follow him. The Imperial promptly and cheerfuly
obeyed, very politely bidding adeu to those around.
During the stay OF the embassy in Washington, which
will be for period three weeks, the Marine Band Will
play every night at the quarters in Wizards Hotel
The three elderly jad-headed personages OF the suite
the imperial docors of the expedition, and accord
ingy very sage demeanor in virtue OF their high
and grave office.
All OF the mperas may be distinguished from those OF
lesser rank by their wearing white sandals
On their arrival at Wizards the treasurer OF the expe-
dton deposited with the proprietors sum of money
amounting TO $4,000 in specie, which was duly locked
Presents pour in upon the japanese visitors gu all
hands. The articles presented valuable to them by
reason of their novelty, if of little intrinsic worth;
aud they express high qualification at these little coure-
sizes.
On being installed in their sumputeus apartments at
Wizards yesterday de digna-es Of the embassy took
their oti'aa cum dgnGe seeking brief repose ofsuch
o upon the rich GNans of their parors as they had
probably had no previous opportunity of enjoying since
embarkng from japan Each OF them was duly waited
upon by his own servants who gded noiseessy TO and
fro bearing hot tea il miniature cups TO some, peculiar
cigarettes to Others &C. Curiosity however soon over
came their dspostonOr quiet and they were visible for
hours their windows to the very large miscellaneous
crowd assembled the sidewalks to catch gimpes OF
them The ladies passing seemed to be quite as much
the objects Of absorbing but not uneourteous curiosity
to Them than they we're to tie dear creatures them
selves
Mr. Portman the chief interpreter, by-he-by,is by
birth Hollander aud though quite young, Is gentle
man of polished manners and impressive bearing bear
ing evident marks in the suaty oil his mannrs OF
long association will Japanese officials.