and the inhabitants on both shores could, in the clearness of the day equally
gratify their curiosity. Many were not content with the distant view
that 7 T IDt0 tad PUShed °ff that the waters were covered with many hundthreed ss toref atmhe min such multitudes
the l7 t! he SqUaf T ^ eamed°Ut °f the W a Part» g look was obtained of
the lofty summit of Mount Fusi, both behind and in advance; as the ships
took an easterly course, the mountainous coast of the province of Awa at
the northern entrance to the lower bay of Yedo, rose to the view. Vries’
tho h ° \ T V 8 0t7 mSe °aUed’ 0o-Sima> was *0 the south; and
though partly obscured with clouds, the convex outline of the lower part of
ita mountainous elevation could be distinctly traced. The course of the
ships was now directed toward the south, when the various islands which exn
rn lh Y ° f ^ b a y ° f Tedo were gradually approached
and observed. They mostly were marked with the usual features
volcanic origin, having a rounded contour, with their summits rising
into cones, their steep sides scarred with the burning currents of lava, and
their bases surrounded with irregular shaped detached rocks. A rich veee
tation, as is common in such latitudes, had thrown its green mantle over the
sides of some of the islands, which presented a striking contrast of verdant
beauty with the bared ribs and fire-blasted surface of others Vulcan
Island was conspicuous among the rest with its volcanic summit and its acclivities
of cooled lava. Fatsicio, the penal island of Japan, was in the dis-
anee at the south; but as the shades of evening gathered as the ships approached,
it was not come up with before it was too dark to obtain a good
view. As several of the islands were not laid down in any of the charts in
possession of the Commodore, he took the usual privilege of American and
European discoverers and gave names to some of the chain. One was
called after the steamer, the Mississippi Island; a cluster of rocks described
as resembling somewhat the basaltic formation of the Giant’s Causeway,
was called after the Susquehanna; and the other ships, the Plymouth
and Saratoga, each came m for the honor of giving her name to a rock or an
island. The whole chain was composed of a great number of islands or
islets, as many as eight being in view at one time. They showed no marks
of habitation; but from their proximity to the Japanese coast they were
probably utdised for some purpose and peopled more or less. Fatsicio it is
known, is used as a penal settlement, and it is probable some of thé ’other
islands may be forced into some service by the Japanese people, who seem
ever on the alert to make any available use of their territory.
On the next day, after the departure of the squadron from Yedo bay
the wind, which had been steadily blowing from east to E. S. E. began to
increase with such force as made it necessary to cast off the two sloops-of
war the commanders of which, having been ordered by signal to proceed
to the duty previously assigned them, then parted company. Commander
Walker, in the Saratoga, had received written instructions from the Commodore
to make the best of his way to Shanghai to protect American life
and property and to look after the general interests of the United States in
that vicinity. Commander Kelly, in the Plymouth, was instructed to proceed
to Lew Chew, and on his way to examine the western shores of Oho-
Sima. I t was the intention of the Commodore to have surveyed the eastern
shores of this island, but he was prevented by the weather.
After the Plymouth and Saratoga had been cast off, the wind gradually
increased to a strong gale. The two steamers were now hove to on the port
tack. The wind being at east by south, beating up an ugly sea, the Susquehanna
rolled very deeply, but otherwise made tolerable weather. The Mississippi
apparently was doing better, but nevertheless lost two of her boats
during the gale. The storm did not begin to abate until the third day,
when the Commodore continued his course, without delay, for Napha.
During the passage to and from Yedo bay, the current set invariably with
more or less strength, according to the wind, to the north and east, while in
the bay of Yedo itself, the tides were regular and set up and down the
channel opposite Uraga at the rate of two and a half knots.
At the close of a chapter which completes the account of the first visit
of Commodore Perry to Japan, it seems appropriate to sum up briefly the
results of that visit. Short as was the stay of the squadron in the waters
of the bay of Yedo, the ships having first anchored on the eighth of July
and taken their departure on the seventeenth of the same month, no unimportant
results had been effected. These, to be fully appreciated, must be
considered not absolutely in regard to their own intrinsic value, but relatively
to the former policy of Japan, in its restricted intercourse with foreign
nations.
During the eight days, which was the full extent of his first visit, Commodore
Perry had gained in behalf of his country several advantages
hitherto denied to all other nations. I t is true certain concessions had
been made, but in a very limited degree, to the Dutch and Chinese; and
these, small as they were, were awarded to them at the expense, on their
part, of the most degrading conditions. The first point conceded was the
release of the American squadron from the perpetual presence of the
Japanese guard-boats, which had always hitherto surrounded foreign ships,
and placed them, as it were, under arrest during their visit. A resolute resistance
was at once opposed by Commodore Perry to this degrading imposition
of force upon a peaceful visitor, and, in spite of all the Japanese authorities
could urge on the score of their own exclusive laws and inhospitable
practice, a new precedent was established in conformity with the comity
of civilized nations.
The second point gained was the accomplishment of the Commodore’s
predetermined intention to confer with no one but a dignitary of the highest