CHAPTER XI I .
Departure from Napha for Japan.—Course of the Ships.—Obo-sima.—Island seen by Commander Glynn,
probably Oho-sima.—Cleopatra Islands.—Currents.—Fourth of July on Board.—Approach to Cape
Idzu—Squadron, led by the Susquehanna, enters the Bay of Yedo.—Bock Island.—Hazy Atmosphere
of Japan.—Surprise of the Japanese at sight of the Steamers moving against Wind and Tide.—Bay of
Sagami.—Appearance of the Coast and Country Inland.—Fusi-Jama.—Ships made ready for Action.—
Fleet of Japanese Boats putoff from the Shore.—Left behind by Squadron.—Bay of Uraga.—Opposite
Coast of Awa.—Japanese Forts.—Squadron comes to Anchor in the Bay of Uraga.—Soundings on approaching
the Anchorage.—Japanese Guard-Boats put off.—No one permitted to como on board the
Ships.—Appearance of Guard-Boats and Crews.—Skill of the Japanese in managing their Boats.—W
Guard-Boat comes alongside of the Mississippi, and Japanese Functionary demands to come on board.
- —Not permitted.—Notice in the French Language, ordering the Ships away, held up to be read.-*;';
Interpreter directed to inform the Japanese th at the Commodore would confer with no one but the
highest Official in Uraga.—-Japanese replied that they had the Vice Governor on board.—This Officer
and his Interpreter allowed to come on board the Susquehanna.—Not permitted to see the Commodore.—
Conference with Lieutenant Contee, who explains that the Americans have come on a friendly
Mission, and that the Commodore bears a Letter from the President of the United States to the Emperor.—
Desires the appointment of an Officer of suitable rank to receive it from the Commodore.
Commodore refuses to go to Nagasaki—Informs the Japanese Officials that if the Guard-Boats are not
immediately removed he will disperse them by Force.—The Boats are withdrawn.—Vice Governor
returns to th e shore, promising further communication on the morrow.—Policy resolved on by the
Commodore.—Meteorological Phenomenon.—Visit on the next day from the Governor of Uraga.—
Conference between him and Commanders Buchanan and Adams.—Second refusal of the Commodore
to go to Nagasaki.—Determination expressed to deliver the L etter there, and, if necessary, in the City
of Tedo itself.—Governor proposes to refer the matter to Yedo.—Commodore assents, and allows
three days for an answer.—Survey by the Squadron’s Boats of the Bay of Uraga, and ultimately of
the Bay of Yedo.
ARLY on the morn-
ing of the 2d of July,
1853, after many un-
. foreseen delays, the
Commodore departed
from Napha with four
vessels only, the two
Bteamers, the Susquehanna,
his flag-ship,
and the Mississippi,
the Saratoga, and the
Plymouth sloops-of-
war. The Supply was
left behind, and the
Caprice dispatched to Shanghai. This was but a poor show of ships, in com-
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