hanna with the Pe-ching, Chang-yuen, on board, to inform the Commodore
that everything was in readiness for his reception, and the regent already in
waiting. The place selected for the purpose was the Kung-qua of Napha,
which is used on all official occasions. The Commodore went ashore at two
o’clock, accompanied hy Captain Adams, captain of the fleet, Lieutenant
Contee, flag lieutenant, Captain Lee, of the Mississippi, Captain Kelly, of
the Plymouth, and twelve other officers, making a staff of sixteen persons
. *' On landing he was received hy a deputation of officers, headed hy the
Pe-ching, and conducted to the place of reception, which is situated on the
main street or road leading from Napha to Shui, and about a quarter of a
mile from the beach. I t is a small hut neat building, surrounded by a high
wall, which screens it from all observation from without. The mayor of
Napha, with some of his attendant officers, stood at the entrance, and the
regent advanced to the door of the enclosure to receive the Commodore.
Within the building, tables were already prepared for a collation, similar to
that given at Shui by the former regent, though not on so extensive a
scale. The feast was arranged in precisely the same manner, the Commodore
and Captain Adams occupying the first table on the right hand, while the regent
and mayor took that on the left, opposite to him. After tea had been brought,
the regent made a complimentary remark to the Commodore, hoping that he
had returned in good health. Ichirazichi acted as interpreter, and the conversation
was carried on by Mr. Williams, through the medium of the Chinese
language.
“ The Commodore stated that he would leave in a few days for China, but
should return again to Lew Chew in a few months. Before he left, however,
he wished to have a settlement of all those matters concerning which
he had addressed them. His demands were reasonable and proper, and he
expected that they would be complied with. The Americans were persons
of few words, but they always meant what they said. The regent answered
that his reply would soon be ready, and invited the Commodore, in the
meanwhile, to partake of some refreshments. He was answered that we
preferred business first and the refreshments afterwards. The requests
made were fair and simple, and the Commodore was dissatisfied with any
delay in granting them. We had been to Japan, where we had been received
in a very friendly manner. We had exchanged presents with Japanese
governors, and were on friendly terms with the Japanese. We hoped,
now, to be on friendly terms also with the Lew Chewans. Mr. Williams
then, at the Commodore’s request, gave a brief narration of his reception by
the princes of- Idzu and Iwami, and of our exploration and survey of the bay
of Yedo. The regent observed, in return, that his reply would be very
soon delivered.
“ The dinner then commenced,, and seven or eight of the twelve courses
of soups had been served, when the letter was brought in and given to the
regent, who took it, and, accompanied by the mayor and interpreter, advanced
to the Commodore’s table, where he presented it with every appearance
of submission and humility. His demeanor during the dinner was
even more constrained and impassive than on the occasion of his dining on
board the Susquehanna, previous to our departure for Japan. The letter
was enclosed in an envelope, and stamped with the great seal of Lew
Chew. Mr. Williams, at the Commodore’s order, opened and read it on the
spot.
“ I t commenced by affirming the small size and poverty of the island,
stating that Dr. Bettleheim’s residence among them had given them much
trouble, and that if we should erect a building for coal their difficulties
would be greatly increased. Besides, they said, the temple which they had
appropriated to our use was thereby rendered useless to them, and their
priests were prevented from performing their worship in it. The productions
of the island were few, as they derived all of their teas, silks, cloths, and
many other articles from Japan and China. With regard to the shops and
markets, that was a matter that depended on the people themselves, and if
they chose to keep their shops shut, the regent could not interfere. He
declared, moreover, that the persons who had followed us whenever we had
gone ashore were not spies, but officers appointed to act as guides, and to
prevent us from being annoyed by the people. Since we had not found them
to be of service, and objected to them, they would be directed not to follow
us in future.
“ After the letter had been read, the Commodore ordered it to be delivered
back to the regent, stating that it was not at all satisfactory, and could
not be received. We had asked, he said, for no more than is accorded to us
in other countries—for no more than we already had in China, and expected
to have in Japan. With regard to the temple, that they had themselves
assigned it to our use, as they invariably had done, for those foreigners who
had visited them previous to our arrival. We would pay them rent for it,
and expected to pay for everything that we obtained. We had travelled
over their island, and knew that the soil was rich, the people thrifty, and
supplies of all sorts abundant. As we paid for all we received, our presence
was an advantage to the people, who found in our vessels a good market for
their productions. I f they did not wish to erect a building for coal, we
would send a vessel with materials, and put it up ourselves. The regent
ventured to say that there were some difficult points in the Commodore’s
communication, and they had much deliberation concerning them, before
the reply was written. The Commodore reiterated what he had previously
said, that all his demands were plain and simple, and ought to be
granted without hesitation. The Lew Chewans should be satisfied, by this
time, that we had no intention to injure them. They had not been molested