smooth surfaces one above the other, in the richest and greenest of verdure,
and retired groves of deep shade, showed upon the acclivities of the nearer
range of hills all the marks of a long and most perfect cultivation, and presented
a beauty of landscape unrivalled even by the garden-like scenery of
England when clothed in the fresh charms of a verdant spring. The distant
hills were rugged and hare, and apparently without cultivation, hut
gave, by their contrasting barrenness and rudeness of aspect, a heightened
beauty to the rich culture of the land which gradually undulated from their
base to the waters of the bay. As the squadron advanced toward the
north the shore became more level, and a stretch of sand was observed to
extend for three or four miles into the bay, and to arise near its termination
into two considerable elevations, upon which forts with ten guns each
were erected, and there the Japanese troops had been seen to gather.
The ships now directed their course toward the proposed place for anchoring,
which had been surveyed by Lieutenant Bent on the previous surveying
expedition. Keeping in view a bold headland, which bounded the
upper part of the bay, to which the squadron was tending, the ships steered
toward the western shore, and finally dropped their anchors in the afternoon
in a place which the Commodore then named the American Anchorage.
This was about ten miles distant from the first anchorage off Uraga, and a
mile and a half from the shore, in a depth of water which gave full thirteen
fathoms. Within the bay in which the ships were anchored were two beautiful
islands, covered with a green growth of herbage and scattered groves.
The coast whieh bounded the anchorage was composed of a succession of
steep cliffs of white rock, the summits of which were covered with a fertile
soil, which produced a rich vegetation that huDg over from above in heavy
festoons of green shrubbery and trailing vines and plants, while the sea had
washed the base of the cliffs here and there into caverns where the water
flowed in and out. The headland at the north was about six miles distant
and descended in green slopes to the bay, and from the thick growth of
trees which covered them a white smoke was observed to wind through the
close foliage, and was supposed to indicate the presence of some encampment.
A great number of the usual government boats, distinguished by red banners,
lined a long stretch of the shore of nearly a mile in length, and
the fortresses had extended their usual cotton cloth batteries or screens,
which were now, on longer experience, supposed to be rather military emblems,
like the flag and banners, than sham exhibitions of force and intended
evidences of hostility.
Immediately on anchoring the Commodore ordered the boats out upon a
surveying expedition, and although this seemed to bring out the soldiers in
numbers about the battery which lay opposite to the ships, as well as some
of the government boats which were moored along the shore, there was no
direct interference with the surveying party. The Japanese boats, how*
ever, moved backward and forward, as if watching the movement of the
ship’s cutters, but seemed indisposed to do more than show themselves in
force and on the alert. Soon, however, Yezaimen and his interpreters were
seen to approach the Susquehanna, in their usual boat, which the Japanese
oarsmen were sculling with all their might, and at once dashed up alongside
the steamer. Yezaimen and his companions hurried up the companion way,
and were evidently much ruffled, and in a state of great anxiety. They
were at once ushered into the cabin, where they were received as usual by
the captains, who were coolly prepared to listen to what they had to say.
Tatznoske at once burst out with the question, “ Why do your ships anchor
here?” He was answered that, as they had been already informed by the
Commodore, the ships had advanced up the bay in order to obtain a more
secure anchorage. The interpreter then stated that that part of the Japanese
waters had always been hitherto respected by strangers, and that the
squadron must not go any further. He then asked whether the Commodore
intended to go beyond, and if not, how long he intended to remain where he
then was ? He was told that the Commodore intended to remain three or
four days longer for the purpose of finding out a good anchorage, as he was
to return in the ensuing spring with many more ships and men, and that it
was desirable that the most secure place should be found for mooring his vessels,
and that for this purpose it was necessary to survey the bay. Uraga
had been tried, but it was found insecure, as the water was rough, and the
winds occasionally blew there with great force. Upon the interpreter, Tatznoske,
asserting that the Commodore had promised to leave the bay immediately
on the reception of the President’s letter by the princes, he was reminded
that the Commodore had only promised to leave the shore, but had
distinctly stated that it was his intention to advance further up the bay with
the ships. The interpreter continued, by declaring that if the surveying
boats should approach any nearer to the land there would be trouble,
as the people were already under considerable excitement from observing
the close neighborhood of the strangers. He was then told that there was
no need for any anxiety, as the boats should not land, and the Americans
would not interfere with the Japanese unless they were first disturbed by
them. Yezaimen still persisted through his interpreters upon the squadron
leaving, and courteously expressed his assurance that the Japanese government
was favorably disposed toward the Americans, and that as the President’s
letter had been received it would undoubtedly be considered with a
favorable disposition. He concluded by expressing the hope, that on the
next visit of the Commodore he would not advance any further up the bay
than Uraga, as that place offered every convenience for the proposed negotiation.
Yezaimen was now assured that the Americans came as friends, and
that therefore it was quite unreasonable that any opposition should be made
to their ships seeking a suitable anchorage. They were, moreover, told that