The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-02-14
Banquet TO Americans at Jeddo--The Old
EMBASSY.


The japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs
gave a reception the Goth OF November to
the officers of the United States frigate Nj
agara, and Col. Ripley, L. =. A, and Lieut.
H. A. WISE U. $ n. A letter describing the
event says
The vestibule Of the building was filled
with soldiers on their knees. In an ante room
we met The late Japanese Ambassadors to the
United States, and by them We're conducted
in order OF rank into a long apartment with
lofty ceilings and matted floors, where We're
seated the Regent and Censor behind a small
table. We took our seats at a long tab% op-
pOSite the Regent.
In the centre of the room, between the Re
gent and American Minister, sat Simme Blu
jen the first in rank, Of the late Ambassadors
10 the United States and before aud behind
him on their knees were two interpreters
IN front of us We're seen No kamis including
the second and third of the late Embassy. Al
the extreme end OF the room, ON his knees
deserted the Governor, as he was called i'll
our country, and more rueful countenance
we never bcheld. Also the Treasurer, whose
usually bright and beaming face was now sad
ana sober. 1t was doubtless a humiliatmg
position for these worthless to occupy III our
presence, however high the privilege to ap-
proach so near the representative of the
throne at other times we could not but pity
them, while we must andmit there was some
malice mingled with our pity, when we re
membered that often times they refused TO re-
celNe Tie NlSllS uuu Ol our
fairest and proudest countrywomen.
The American Minister introduced by name
each of the visitors, the i'll troduc lions We're
then repeated in Dutch by his secretary, and
subseq uently in Japanese by the interpre-
ter to his EXcellency the Regent. The cere
mony ended, general congra tn lations were
passed, some ques tops asked, and very artfui
and eyasive ans wers given by the Regent. On
the subject OF the ordnance presents sent from
the United States to the Tycoon, there was
much conversation, and Notwithstanding the
persistent remarks of one of the officers in
charge of them, who had orders 10 remain and
instruct them in their use, they politely de
clined, and seemed atfronted at the bare sup
position of their ignorance. Their reply was,
ave already know little, and can learn
more" A visit subseq quently made to their
arsenals proved that from the number of Dahl
green guns which they had already made from
a pattern presented by Commodore Perry, the
offer TO instruct was quite gratuitous.
After the feast OF reason, then commenced
the flow of soul, which was brought on by
some score of we'll dressed and we'll drilled
servants, who placed in front of each guest
lacquered trays, with lacquered cups, both Of
which were beautifully simple and neat
First course, cake and fruits, lea and tobacco.
Second course, raw fish and vegetables. Third
course oyster soup, with cucumbers. Fourth
course picked fish and vegetables. Fifth
course roas uail on board this was the
chef d'ouure, and was not only delicious, but
artisticaily gotten up, and represented the
bird in full feather. Sixth course, cooked fish
Seventh course, sakie, red and white Eight tn
course, tea and tobacco. The Ambassadors,
our recent guests, assisted in serving us,
whilst the No Kamis were apparently amused
at our awkward attempts 10 drink soup and
eat birds and fish with chop sticks. After
having satisfied which laudable curiosity, they
furnished us with knives.
During the collation., occasional remarks of
a ma tionaI and fraternal character We're inter
changed, some few toasts were drunk, and be-
fore the musical period arrived, we took our
departure In the order we entered, shook
hands with the Regent, and said Sfonada
fondly and forever to the swarthy and courte-
GUS Ambas ssadors from Cipango.