West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-03-31

Address by T. oke Before
February 10 1904.
[From the Wlndsor Trihnne. !

| Nhc surveying hoats, however, keeping IN
range Of the ships guns. The governor in.
quited what those surveying boats were do
ing, and when told that they were surveying
the harbor, he replied that the Japanese
laws forbade such surveys, aud then he was
replied to that the American laws command
ed them, aud the ships crews were bound
to obey the American laws as much as he
was the Japanese laws.
This was the second and most important
point gained by the Commodore.
The next day, Sunday, July 10th, no
communication was had with the Japanese
authorities.
On Mondy the nth the surveying boats
were sent out early higher up the bay, the
Mississippi being ordered under wAy to pro-
teet them. On Tuesday the Islh, the day
the reply was to be received from Yeddo,
the governor came abroad with two inter
preton. Before the governor arrived Com
modore Perry wrote the following letter to
the Emperor;
"Uni,ed States Steamer Frigate Susque.
| hanna.
| "heddo, july IL, 1853.
"The Commandetin-chief of the United
States Naval forces in these seas, being in
vested with full powers to negotiate treaties,
is desirous of comforting with one of the
highest officers of the empire of Japan, IN
view OF making arrangements for the pre-
sentaiion of the original letter of Credence,
as also the original letter of the President of
/ the United States IL Is hoped an early
day will be appointed for the interview
"ro Ills Imperial Majesty, the Emperor
Of Japan"
Soon after this the governor came aboard
and said that building would be erected
on shore to receive the Commodore and hH
suite. and the Emperor would appoint a
suitable person, high official, to receive
the letter of the President to the Emperor,
but that no answer to the letter would be
sent to Uraga, but TO Nagasaki, through the
Dutch or Chinese superintendenls. This
being reported to the Commodore, he wrote
the following memorandum, and had IL
translated in Dutch, and explained fully TO
the governor
"The Commandsr-in-chief will not 90 Go
Nagasaki, and will receive no communi-
cation through the Dutch or the Chinese
| lie has letter from the President of the
| United States 10 deliver TO the Emperor of
| Japan, or his Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
and will deliver the original To- no other. II
| this friendly letter of the President is not
received and replied To- he will consider mis-
country insulteu, and will not hold himself
accountable for the consequences. lie ex-
| poets reply Of some sort in few days,
and will only receive the reply in this
neighborhood.
The governor upon receipt of this went
on shore, but returned in the afternoon, say
ing that q very distinguished parsonage had
been appointed by the Emperor to receive
the Commodore on shore The next day
the governor came on board with the original
order Of the Emperor aud its translation in
Dutch.
EMPERoR's LETTER or cRRDENcE.
"fo It's IIighaess Toda, Prince of Idzu,
81 send you to UTaga to receive the letter
of the President of the United States TO me,
| which letter has already been brought to
| Uaga by the Admiral, on receiving which
you will proceed 20 Yeddo, and take the
Same TO me-"
(EMPERoR's sEAL)
Sixth Month.
Commodore Perry in his report says, that
although they had erected on shore a special
building for his reception, yet he was fearful
Of treachery, and had his surveying party
examine the little bay at the head Of which
the building had been erected, and he
ordered the squadron to be removed further
up the bay within gunshot Of the building
Thursday, July I4ih, the day appointed
for the reception of Commodore Perry.
every preparation was made by the squadron
10 land formidable escort, and il was done
being composed Of officers aud marines from
the respective ships, about 400 in number,
all well armed and equipped This escort
Of only about 100 men all told, was taken
by the boats ashore, and Immediately follow
ed by the Commodore. The whole shore Of
the bay, extending more than a mile, was
crowded with japanese troops from FIVE TO
seven thousand. drawn up under arms.
These troops we're composed Of cavalry,
artillery, infantry and arohers; some of the
infantry with flint muskels. others with
match locks.
On landing the Commodore proceeded AZ
once TO the building erected for the purpose,
and was there received by Toda, Prince Of
Idzu, FIRST Counsellor Of the Emperor. and
his coadjutor, Prince Of Iva nj 10 Prince
fdzu the Commodore then and there pre-.
sented the Presidents letter, together with
his own letter Of Credenee, and three Other
letters each with tpnslations in English,
Dutch and Chinese languages, for which
Prince Idzu gave The Commodore bis re.
eeipl ~ thc foot of this fcccip, was The
following
"rhe letter having been received. you
will depart"
To show how little Commodore Perry
cared about this order for him 10 leave
Japan, he ordered the whole squadron under
way, and to move further up the bay TOW ards
Ycddo
The japanese were terribly annoyed by
this action n Commodore Perry aud his
feet, and on lhe 10Th, when The ships were
five miles above Uaga, the governor came
TO the ship 10 announce that The Presidents
letter would be favorabiy received By the
Emperor. Nothing was Then said about
sending ihs answer 70 Nagasak
/ Commodore Perry bad forced an audience
win fhe Empefor's highest ministers. bad
delivered the Presidents letter 10 he
Emperor, and had made successful breach
ia The exclusive policy Of Japan which no
other nation had ever done. But at this
I point be was compelled 10 leave Japan, but