West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-03-31
lCsnti,n.e.f 80, l,,f -

charge. lie determined to adopt an en-.
tirely different plan of proceedings from
thht Of all others who had hitherto visited
Japan on the same errand--to demand as a
right aud not solici, as favor, those acts OF
courtesy which were due from one civilized
nation to another; TO allow none of the
petty annoyances suffered by his predeces.
sors, and TO disregard the acts and threats OF
the Japanese authorities. IL they In the leas,
eonieted with the dignity OF the American
flag.
The question OF landing by force was to
be decided by the development OF subse.
quen, events.
In Pursuance OF these intentiess the Com.
modore caused the crews 10 be thoroughly
drilled, and the ships kept in perfect readi.
ness as in time Of active war. and being thus
prepated for any contingency, he decided to
practice upon them a little of their own
diplomacy, by forbidding the admission Of =
single individual on board of any OF the
ships, excepting those officers who nigh,
have business with the commander, and
these visits were TO be confined to the flag.
ship, on board Of which they were not al.
lowed TO enter until they had declared their
rank and the business upon which they
came. The Commodore had also deter.
mined TO confer personally with no one bu,
a Japanese func,ionary of the highest rank
in the empire.
As soon as the ships auehored they were
Immediately surrounded by a swarm of boats
filled with men who tried TO get on board,
but in obedience TO instructions they were
all repulsed.
AT last one Of the most conspicuous boats,
having on board the vice-govenor of Ufaga,
was permitted alongside the flagship, and
said he desired TO sec the officer command
ing the squadron, and learn the object Of
his coming to Japan, and the Commodore
learning his rank was only yice-governor Of
the city, told him he would only confer with
a fune,ionary Of the highest rank. After
his fepulsc from the flagship the vice governor
still urged an interview, saying he held the
highest rank in the city, and suggested that
If he could not see the Commodore he might
be allowed 10 confer with an inferior officer
Of rank corresponding TO his own. Af,er
some intentional delay, Lieut.. Conte was
appointed TO receive the yioe-goyenor.
The viee.govenor asked many questions,
very few of which were answered. lie was
briefly and plainly told through the inter.
prefers that the Commodore had been'seni
on friendly mission TO Japan. with a letter
from the President of the United States for
the Emperor, and il was the Commodore's
desire 10 have personal interview with d
dgnilary Of the highest rank, in order to
make arrangements FOR the delivery of copies
aud translatons Of the documents with
which he had been charged preparatory to
presenting the originals.
The yee-goyenor then replied lha,
Nagasaki was the only place, according Ia
the laws Of Japan, for negotiating foreign
business, and it would he necessary for the
squadron 10 60 there. lie was then told
that the Commodore had come on purpose
TO Uraga to be near Yeddo, and that he
would not 60 to Nagasaki; that the Com.
modore expected the letter TO be duly and
properly received at Uraga AZ this point
in the conference the Japanese guard boats
we're collecting about the ships rather too
thickly, and the Commodore ordered them
to leave, and said If they did not he would
dwpese them with force. This being in
ierpreied 10 the viee.goyenor, he suddenly
left bis seat, went TO the gangway and
ordered the boats away, and most Of them
left for the shore; but few remaining in
clusters, an armed boat from the ship was
sent TO motion them away, at the same time
showing their arms, which had the desired
effect, and they all disappeared. These
boats did not bother the ships again during
their stay.
by this display Of force sad power the
Commodore gained his frs, point
The yice-govenor shortly afterwards took
his leave. saying he had no authority TO
promise anything respecting the receipt Of
the Presidents letter, but ~ tho morning an
officer Of higher rank would come from
Uraga, who might probably furnish further
information about Il. The next morning
July 9th, the governor Of Urass, Kayama
Yezaimm, came on board, and as he was Of
higher rank than the yiee.govenor. the visitor
q The day before, the Commodore declined
/ 70 personally receive him. but referred him
to Commanders Buchanan and Adams and
Lieutenant Coate.
The governor ia the interview insisted
that under Japanese laws, the letter conld
not be received al Umga, that the squadron
must 60 TO Nagasah. lie was them en-
/ phaucaliy told that the Commodore would
not got Nagasski, and If the japanese
government did not appoint suitable person
/ 20 receive the documents addressed TO the
Emperor. the Commodore would 60 oa shore
with a sugcieni force and deliver Them. no
matter what The consequences might be.
At this interview The original letter Of The
President together with the Commodore,
letter Of Credcnce were shown 10 the gov.
enor These letters we're incased In mag.
ni6ceni boxes Of exquisite Workmanship and
costliness. prepared al Washington, which
evidently surprised his sxeeliency, for on
leaving the ship be offered The Commodore
supplies Of water and refreshments, bot
they we're declined. The Commodore.
threat being communicated TO The governor,
he said he would return 20 TIE city snd send
a communication 70 Yeddo, asking further
insi,uciions, bot The Commodore informed
him be would only wait three days for a
reply Or nh Tuesday, July rzth. Will,