Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-10-04
HOBy' J.1P.T.r Iy.IS OPR.yRD TO
THE WORLD.

In 1852, California, then newly acquired
state, formed the western frontier of the re-
public of the United States, facing the Pa
cifc ocean, and looking eagerly westward
into the old Orient. That great state, ac-
cording to President Eillmores letter to
the emperor OF Japan, annually produced
"sixty millions Of dollars.in gold, besides
silver, quicksilver, precious stones, and
many other valuable articles" 1t was
thought that the sailing-ships which traded
between China and California must soon
be replaced by steamers these would re-
quirc coal of Japan; therefore, Japan must
oyen her ports, and allow the steamships
entry and the facilities needed. Daniel
Webster was then secretary of state, and
Millard Fillmore president of the United
States. Provided with letter from the
president, written by the secretary, and
bearing great variety of presents to the
emperor, a squadron of American war
ships, commanded by Commodore Perry,
approached the coast of Japan, on the Sth
of July, 1852 having sailed from the United
States during the last months of the year
preceding. Perry dropped anchor in the
bay of Yeddo, opposite the town of Uru-
gawa. The appearance Of the fleet created
great CONSERVATION among the japanese,
and the flag ship-the Susquehanna-wa
boarded by local functionary, who pre-
sented the usual notification, warning the
strangers to depart. But this functionary
was not permitted TO see the commodore,
who held himself aloof as n superior ofn-
Dutch, French and English. were also re-
fused, and he was sent ashore with polite
notification that the commodore desired {
present to the emperor IL letter from the
president of the United States. Days of
ceremonious negotiation passed, the COM
modore insisting that the letter must be
delivered on shore TO the emperor, or TO
some high official representing his majesty,
and not on the ship, nor to any mere mes
sengcr. Wearied out, at last, by the por-
sistent staying of the formidable fleet, and
the quiet insistence of the commodore, the
japanese authorities consented that the let
ter should he brought ashore and formally
delivered 10 an imperial commission. Ac-
cOrdiugly, on the nth of July, 1853, with
great pomp and ceremony, the officers Of
the fleet landed, and, in spacious pavil-
ion prepared for the occasion, tho inter-
view took place. The letter, asking for
treaty Of amity and commerce between the
United States and the empire, was sumptu-
ously engrossed ON parchment, sealed with
enormous golden seals, and incosed in IA
costly box incrusted with gold. This was
presented to the impassive and statue-like
commissioner, who returned written ac-
acknowledgement or receipt therefor, the
same being protest against the whole pro-
ceeding, and notice for the fleet now to
quit Japan. The commodore took his
leave, promising TO return in the spring,
with more ships, to receive the answer to
the letter of the president. But, as if to
show the japanese that he was not disturb
ed by their warnings, Perry remained
three days thereafter. surveying the bay
and making excursions up the arm of the
sea toward the capital. In all these par
tlculars, down to the very minutest, this
expedition evidently furnished the state
department under Secretary Fish, nearly
twenty years later, with model for his
preparation of the less fortunate United
States expedition to the Corea.
Commodore Perry spent the winter of
1853, In watching the movements Of the
Russians, who, from the north, were max
ing insidious encroachments on Yesso and