, 1860-05-01
The Japanese Embassy to the Cnleed
States.

The japanese Ambassador FIRST came on board
the steamer powhatan on Saturday, the 14sh Of
January last, for the purpose OF inspecting their
accommodations. On the following Monday ut
noon, they canie for good and we're roceiycd
with salute and other honors. They came
without my .pomp or parade, and though dig.
n'ted in their bearing, they gsre no evidence Of
pride; but rather evinced tiulidity ut their new
position. Stepping for the first time upon The
deck Of stcauiar waiting to bear them over an
oceau Of which they knew nothing; toa country,
their knowledge Of which was very limited, and
being received by all the officers ia full uniform;
it would have Been strange # even brave men
should not bare been little embarrassed by the
scene and The thoughts which all this brought
up.
The sight wns to them y norel one. They
were surrounded by crowd Of people, whose
language they did not understand and whose
customs were new to them, but theY soon over
came their tmidity, and the warm welcome
they received made them feel at hume.
The arrangements on board the Powhatan
for the accommodation Of The Embassy, was as
perfect as could be. Capt. Pearson gave up the
whole OF his large cabin tor their special use,
cupled BY them. Four cadlns hsd been built
W earA side If the quarterback, two in front
Of tbc Commt1ore's cabin, and four under the
hurricane deck 70: the inferior officers and SER
wants.
The Japanese method Of fitting out their
rooms and .ictualzing themselves, Is soneShat
peculiar. Nuny Of their articles Of food are pc
culiar to Japsu, especially roots, some II which
are two Or three feet long: Rice is the min
article vi consumption. They est bitter bread
bit no meat, while there is no eud to the little
dishes and nice things they take with them
galley Or kitchen is prepared for their espe-
clai use. Thur mats are cut to lit the room and
%1,rs, ,nt, ~
wear their winter cloaks. which ara made Ui
silk or cotton and stuffed with cotton TO the
thickness Of an ordinary bed quilt. The arms
are large enough for ones body, and the clock
is so long that the bead and teet can be wrap
ped up together
Besides tl'e'r own plunder they bring thirteen
buxes, u dozen or fifteen feet long and about
foo. aud II half square. filled viii presents for
the Emperor Of the United States as they call
the President.
When our officers, accompanied bv Mr. Iiew-
skin Us interpreter, pail q visit to tile Prime
Minister and other hea.fs Of departments, within
the Imperial castle. they were received with tie
greatest honors mud treated to u sunlptuous en-
teTta'nnent. The Ministers commended their
Ambassadors to the kind consideration Of tic
Commodore and officers, saving that they
would be completely in the hands Of strangers.
Their humanity anasy1npathy was deeply touch
ed
The Grs. Ambassador Is only 35 years old.
The second is all Of 80, end the Counsellor
but not hereditary, and they are among the most
distinguished statesmen in Japan.
The rumor that some Of the Embassy were
sent as spies on the others is incorrect. The
Counselor is only sent ta cid tue others by his
wisdom and experience. lie is short man,
but well formed. and his countcnance is intel
ligent.
Both If tie Ambassadors ara rather ta1] md