informed that the Commodore would wait three days only (until Tuesday,
the 12th), when a definite answer would he expected.
A hoat had been sent at daylight from each ship of the squadron to survey
the hay and harbor of Uraga. The governor, on observing these boats,
inquired what they were doing, and when he was told that they were surveying
the harbor, he said that it was against the Japanese laws to allow of
such examinations; to which he received for reply, that the American laws
command them, and that Americans were as much bound to obey the American
as he was the Japanese laws. “ This,” remarks the Commodore, “ was
a second and most important point gained.” During all the questions and
answers the interpreter had out his tablets, and was busy taking notes, and
if all the importunate inquiries of the governor had been responded to, his
reporter would have enjoyed no sinecure.
At the interview, the original letter of the President, together with the
Commodore’s letter of credence, encased in the magnificent boxes which had
been prepared in Washington, were shown to his excellency, who was
evidently greatly impressed with their exquisite workmanship and costliness
; and he made an offer for the first time of water and refreshments, hut
was told that the squadron was in no need of anything. The governor was
made to understand perfectly that there would be no necessity for any further
discussion until the time appointed for the delivery of the answer from
the Japanese government should arrive; and he left the ship fully impressed
with this understanding.
During the conference, the governor and his interpreter were requested
to use the same designation in speaking of the President of the United
States as that by which they distinguished the Emperor. They complied
with this request, although, previous to it, they had used different terms for
the two dignitaries. In a country like Japan, so governed-by ceremonials
of all kinds, it was necessary to guard with the strictest etiquette even the
forms of speech; and it was found that by a diligent attention to the minutest
and apparently most insignificant details of word and action, the desired
impression was made upon Japanese diplomacy; which, as a smooth surface
requires one equally smooth to touch it at every point, can only be
fully reached and met by the nicest adjustment of the most polished formality.
The surveying boats, which seemed to give so much uneasiness to the
governor, had been well manned and armed, and Lieutenant Bent, of the
Mississippi, who was in command, was instructed not to go beyond the range
of the ship’s guns, while a good look-out was kept upon the surveying party,
in order that assistance might be sent to them should they be attacked. In
addition to the usual boat ensigns at the stern, white flags, indicative of
their peaceful intentions, were borne on the hows. They spread themselves
out toward the opposite shore as they pulled away, sounding at every boat’s
length, and had reached about two miles further up the bay than the anchorage
of the squadron, when they were recalled by a signal gun. On their
return they were sent out again, with orders to keep nearer to the western
shore. In the afternoon all the boats returned, coming alongside at about
three o’clock p. m.
The hydrographic reports were of the most favorable character, as deep
water was found as far up as four miles toward the head of the bay, which
was the extent of the first survey. The soundings varied from twenty-nine
to forty-three fathoms, and at the height of the ebb tide a current was observed
running at the rate of two or three knots. The examination of the harbor
of Uraga, which was carried to within a few feet of the shore, gave five
fathoms at about a cable’s length distance, while within that space from the
land several reefs were found to extend out. As the boats approached the
shores there was a good view of the fortifications, which did not seem to be
of a very formidable character. Their construction did not exhibit much
strength or art. Their position and armament were such as to expose them
to an easy assault; their parapets were in earthwork, while many of the
buildings, the barracks and magazines, appeared to be of wood. They
mounted but few guns, and those of small calibre, while their embrasures
were so wide that the cannon were greatly exposed.
On the first approach of the survey boats the soldiers showed themselves
in considerable force, and were observed to be fully armed. They presented
quite a bristling front with their spears and match-locks, while their lacquered
caps and shields flashed brightly in the sun. They did not seem
disposed, however, to make any very decided stand, for they retreated within
the walls of the fortification as soon as the boats made in closer with the
land. One of the officers in command of a ship’s hoat approached to within
a hundred yards of the shore, and observing three persons, seemingly of
authority, standing out upon an embankment, levelled his glass at them,
whereat they disappeared on the instant, evidently much discomposed at
being sighted with an instrument which they (though not unfamiliar with
the telescope) might have supposed to be a weapon unknown to them, and
capable of projecting something more deadly than the glance of an eye.
The Japanese soldiers in the boats along shore beckoned to our officer to
keep off, while he, in response, made a sign to show the direction in which
he was going. The Japanese then put off and approached so rapidly that
it appeared as if their intention was to intercept the ship’s boat, and the officer
in command accordingly gave orders to his men to rest upon their oars and
adjust the caps to their carbines. There was, however, no attempt directly
to interfere with this or any other of the ship’s cutters, although they were
followed by numbers of Japanese boats, which, however, on seeing our men
well armed, did not venture to molest them. The artist who accompanied
the surveying party had an excellent opportunity, which was well improved,