The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1907-12-27

hama That was the spot selected Tor
the meeting OF the western envoy ana
the imperial commissioners Ana
there the japanese erected a temper
airy hall OF audience
1t was a memorable scene. The |
two frieates steamed slowly down and |
anchored OF the harbor How big |
black and sullen they looked 10 the
natives, our little hotilla of 10 boats |
landed under cover OF their guns
we we're not quite 800 all told. but
every one was in full uniform and
armed 10 the teeth. The commodore
had given orders to make as magnit-
cent an appearance as we could, FOR
the purpose OF impressing a people
who lay much stress on show. Yet
our little body OF men We're few IN
number TO confront 5000 native troops
drawn up on the beach to receive us
outshone the japanese.
Crowds Of curious spectators lined
the housetops and grouped on the hills
in the rear 10 witness our landing.
Radiant uniforms. trappings and ELI
signs were everywhere-but We com
pared favorably Commodore Perry
had. in fact, outshone the japanese.
The Japanese regiments seemed
10 have hen cut out OF rainbows and
sunsets. But il they were lively their
officers were not. For they sat IN
silent dignity on camp stools In front
OF the lines.
Not until our force had disem-
barked and formed on the beach did
the commodore show himself. Ne
Jauanese had seen him up 10 that
time He had remained TO them
mysterious presence. who would only
appear when the duly qualified ambas
sailors OF the emperor came 10 treat
with him-and they must be princes
Of the blood.
AS our lines formed. the commo-
dore stepped into his barge Instantly
the fleet was enveloped in great crowds
Of smoke. The guns were laundering
out a salute that echoed among the
hills back OF the village In all the
negotiations he had played the Japa-
nese peoples own game and had en-
veloped himself in mystery.
This was not childs play. II was
not an assumption Of pomp inconsist-
ent with republican simplicity Com
modore Perry was dealing with an orr
entail potentate according 10 oriental
ideas: and results proved his sagacity
Al this time Commodore Perry was .
t, years old. a man Of splendid physique
and commanding presence. He was
the right kind of man for America e
send on such an errand to such a PEG
pie.
Within the hall sat the japanese
commissioners on chairs. The imperi
al commissioners were Princes ldz'
and Iwami, and they were surrounds
by their kneeling suite. The vacan
seats opposite were taken by the con
modore and his stan. He entered IN
pavilion escorted by two gorgeousl
commissioned blacks. preceded by tw
richly uniformed pages bearing tn
precious caskets containing the ofhcis
papers 70 the emperor.
Ceremony Not Long.
The ceremony began. II was yer
brief. AT signal the two boys in blu
brought forward in slow and impre
siye fashion the rosewood caskets CO.
tanning the mysterious papers whic
j were 20 be conveyed to the couT
They were TO be thus conveyed in
rs&lly lacquered chest o. scarlet pr
vided for the purpose. The ~
gorgeous negroes. who had follows
~ the boys. opened the boxes In silenc
nc and in silence drew out the paper
done in red and gold most magni
centlr.. They laid them on the SCI
~ let Golfer
~ The imperial commissioners we
- much impressed. They had new
- seen black men before except in tn
stage plays. when actors used bur
- cork. Therefore. they estimated Il
~ this admiral as they knew him, mi
~ be a man Of supreme power. Prin
=, Iwami handed TO the interpreters
=" formal receipt for the documents.
The commodore announced that
would return in the spring for his
~ ply After a further brief conyersat
oni the conference closed. having last
- not more than 90 minutes II had b'
Witnessed by not more ehdh ~ VI
- persons Of both the countries engag
80 yet that short meeting was to lead
a. the opening OF Japan"
&c But the japanese We're alarmed
- the persistence OF the ambassaf
49, too. The formal receipt closed wi
800 Because this place Is not designed
,old treat OF anything from foreigners.
neither can conference nor enteru
ment take place The letter being
ceived. you will leave here"
~ The actual landing took place
July IA. 1853. and is commemors
80 By a single shaft OF granite rising
-, feet into the air. placed on the I
- where Perry landed from his sh
This monument was erected in 1870
The treaty was not concluded
signed until March Of 1854, when
49, ~ returned with greatly incres
feet to get his answer. At first
Japanese held out that no Amer