in reference to tie approaching reception. They announced that all the
Japanese officers would he clothed in full official costume, and not in the
dresses worn on ordinary occasions. They seemed to he considerably
troubled because they would not be able to seat their visitors, on the morrow,
in the same kind of arm chair as that then occupied by themselves in the
cabin, and apologized for not having any such. They were no less anxious
on the score of the wines and brandies, and begged that they might be excused
for not offering the same as they had been regaled with, since the
country did not possess them. They were told to dismiss their solicitude
on these points; that, as the practice of hospitality, and manners and customs,
necessarily differed in different countries, it was not reasonable to expect
to find American habits prevailing in Japan; and that the Commodore
would be satisfied to be seated in the same manner as the dignitary appointed
to meet him, while the other American officers would content themselves
with such seats as were provided for their equals in rank among the
Japanese.
They then made some inquiries in regard to the minute details of the
approaching ceremony, as to whether the Commodore would present the
President’s letter directly from his own hand into that of the Japanese commissioner,
whose name and title, by the way, were now announced as Toda-
Idzu-no-Kami, First Counsellor of the Empire.
I t was asked whether the Commodore would immediately return to his
ship after delivering the letter, and also when he would come back to Japan
to receive an answer. The Chinese interpreter, Mr. Williams, showed them
a map or plan of Yedo, which they said must have been drawn some seventy
years ago, as the capital had changed much since the plan was made, having
greatly increased in size, and much improved. They, however, recognized
on the plan various conspicuous places, and pointed them out very readily,
as if politely willing to gratify the natural curiosity of their company.
The whole conference had lasted about two hours and a half, and when
the Japanese functionaries rose to depart it was already evening. They left
the ship with the usual polite courtesies, bowing, as usual, at every step; and
the chief interpreter, Hori Tatznoske, who had evidently a great aptitude
for the acquisition of foreign languages, mustered English enough to say
very distinctly as he departed, “ Want to go home.”
The Commodore, in preparation for the coming event of the next morning,
summoned his captains, from the several vessels of the squadron, on
board the flag-ship. Orders were then given that the vessels should be removed,
early in the morning, to an anchorage in line, covering the whole
bay, in front of the place of reception,* as the Commodore was resolved to
be prepared against any possible treachery or duplicity on the part of the
* Marked on the chart as “ Reception Bay.”
people with whom he had to deal, and the object of the Japanese in the
selection of this place of meeting was not very apparent to his mind. I t
was also ordered that all the officers who could possibly leave the ships should
appear in full uniform, and accompany the Commodore to the reception, in
order that he might present as imposing a retinue as practicable. The surveying
boats had been kept busy during the day, completing their observar
tions, and were allowed to proceed with their work without any molestation
from the native authorities.
The Japanese seemed no. less busy in active preparation for the morning’s
ceremony than the Americans. Various government vessels sailed down
the bay, and a large fleet of small boats arrived on the Uraga shore from the
opposite coast, evidently preparatory to the approaching occasion. A constant
sound of hammers, intermingled with the noisy voices of Japanese
laborers, arising as was supposed from the quarter where the building was
in progress, disturbed the quiet of the night, and was prolonged into the
morning watches. All was busy preparation for the coming day.
Thursday (July 14), opened with a sun that was somewhat obscured at
early dawn, but which soon came out brightly, and dispelled the fogs and
clouds which overhung the land and seemed to give an inauspicious aspect
to the occasion. As the atmosphere cleared and the shores were disclosed
to view, the steady labors of the Japanese during the night were revealed in
the showy effect on the Uraga shore. Ornamental screens of cloth had been
so arranged as to give a more distinct prominence, as well as the appearance
of greater size to the bastions and forts; and two tents had been spread
among the trees. The screens were stretched tightly in the usual way
upon posts of wood, and each interval between the posts was thus distinctly
marked, and had, in the distance, the appearance of panelling. Upon
these seeming panels were emblazoned the imperial arms, alternating with
the device of a scarlet flower bearing large heart-shaped leaves. Flags and
streamers, upon which were various designs represented in gay colors, hung
from the several angles of the screens, while behind them thronged crowds
of soldiers, arrayed in a costume which had not been before observed, and
which was supposed to belong to high occasions only. The main portion of
the dress was a species of frock of a dark color, with short skirts, the waists
of which were gathered in with a sash, and which was without sleeves, the
arms of the wearers being bare.
All on board the ships were alert from the earliest hour, making the
necessary preparations. Steam was got up and the anchors were weighed,
that the ships might be moved to a position where their guns would command
the place of reception. The sailing vessels, however, because of a
calm, were unable to get into position. The officers, seamen and marines
who were to accompany the Commodore were selected, and as large a number
of them mustered as could possibly be spared from the whole squadron.