The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-03-31
Rear Admiral se.rd.l.. !" Japan.

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The Navy Department has publish
ed the copy OF an interesting letter
received by Secretary Long from
Rear Admiral Beardslee. retired. re
latiye to visit he made to japan
in November last Admiral Boards
lee was one of the officers who serv-
ed under Commodore Perry in the
famous Japanese expedition Of 1853,
and his letter is Oh interest principal
ly as showing the exceedingly warm
feeling manifested by the japanese
for the American people. He says
that the name Of Perry is sacred
one to the Japanese, and his memory
is reverenced.
Although travelling without uniform
as private citizen, the admiral saw
everywhere evidences Of the friendly
and cordial feelings entertained by
the Japanese OF all classes toward
the United States, and he was in
undated with calls of ceremony and
attentions. The emperor extended
special courtesies and there was .
constant round of interesting festi-
yitieS
AT the instance Of Admiral Boards
lee a movement has been initiated to
erect monument at Kurihama Bay.
where Perry nrst landed and deliver
ed President Fillmore's letter.
The admiral says In his letter:
All other events of my fifty years
of professional service sank into in
significance when compared with the
event of my having landed with Per
~. Through the good Offices Of the
United States minister, my existence
was made known to the emperor,
who extended to me great marks Of
politeness, among others, issuing In
struction that, with my wife, should
be invited to the royal chrysanthe-
mum party and there presented to
him. The party took place on Nov
vember IL, and the United States
minister presented me, Also, by spe-
cial arrangement, my wife. We were
also presented to the empress and
quite number of princes. The en-
peror received me with marked and
noticeable cordially, grasping and
shaking my hand three separate
times, saying: I know about you,
admiral, and your mission. and I
gladly welcome you back to my coun-
try l afterward learned from one
of his cabinet officers that he had
caused to be prepared anu read to
him the previous day an account In
detail of my wanderings in Japan.
We were also made distinguished
guests at the imperial ball, given in
honor of the emperor's birthday,
November 3, and at the grand par
ade and review by the emperor Of
some $4,000 troops. On this occasion
by order of the emperor, the use Of
horse, that l might take active part
in the review, was offered to me,
which offer l respectfully declined.
"The significance of the three
events lies in this: Japanese law
prescribed: Upon presentation to the
emperor and upon all ceremonies and
occasions when he shall take part or
be present, all military and naval
officers shall wear the full dress uni
form of their rank. AS had no uni
in my behalf.
THE mission to which the en-
peror referred is selfimtosed one.
1t is to make effort to cause suita-
BILE memorial mark to be placed at
the spots where Perry first landed
and when he delivered the Letter
from President Fillmore to the emper-
or of Japan, on July Ia, 1853. l
paid visit to this spot, Kurihama
Bay, in October, by rather long sail
boat and 'jinricksha' journey. found
and recognized it, but found 1t by
the natural scenery alone, desolate
and neglected, not q mark Of any
kind to denote it's historic value. It
occurred to me that q duty had come
to me, as one of the few survivors of
Perry's band. and probably the last
one who would ever revisit the spot,
and the duty was to use my best
efforts to remedy it by calling the At
tention of the Japanese to the 0mio-
sion. To this end / have spoken and
written
Circumstances have favored me
and added weight to my words. A
very powerful association. the Socie-
ty of Americas Friends, Of which
Baron Karreko. the minister Of the
judicial department. 10 president, and
the members OF which were al edu-
Gated in the United States. to whom
/ made my first address on the sub
ject. Endorsed me strongly. and By
unanimous vote assumed the task as
its own. Several powerful societies.
viz. the Asiatic, the Welcome. the
Literary and others have by resolu-
tons extended to the Americas
Friends offers Of cooperation The
press. both japanese and foreign. and
all Americans give the idea most en-
thusiastic support. and l feel now