guarantied by a solemn compact. The prefect, moreover, was told that the
Americans intended no harm to the people, but, on the contrary, desired the
most friendly relations with them, and the freest intercourse, without being
watched and restrained by soldiers, acting under the orders of their superiors.
Suoh a surveillance as had hitherto been practised was what Americans
were not accustomed to, and particularly as it would seem to indicate that
they were intent upon the commission of some outrage.
This resolute language produced its desired effect upon the prefect, who
excused his conduct upon the plea that he had left Yoku-hama before the
signing of the treaty, and had, in consequence, not been aware that it contained
the clause “ free intercourse.” He would be obliged, he continued,
to refer to his superiors at Yedo for instructions on this point, and ascertain
how they construed that article; but, in the meanwhile, he would
give orders that the houses should not be closed, and try the experiment
of allowing the officers to visit the shore without being followed by soldiers.
' . •
The prefect then readily acceded to the Commodore’s demands in regard
to a place of resort and the visit to Oho-sima, saying that any of the temples
were at his disposition, where the best accommodation Simoda afforded
would be prepared for him, and that a junk, two boats, and certain Japanese
attendants would be immediately provided for those persons of the
squadron the Commodore wished to send to Oho-sima. After an expression
from the prefect of courtesy, and the hope that trifles would not be permitted
to interrupt the friendly feeling subsisting between the Americans and
the Japanese, the interview closed.
The various officers of the squadron now visited the shore daily, and for
a time there was apparently less disposition to interfere with their movements,
or watch their proceedings. On one of these occasions a party had
passed out into the country beyond the suburbs, when they found two Japanese
following them; but, as they were supposed to be a couple of spies on
the watch, little notice was at first taken of them. Observing, however,
that they seemed to be approaching as if stealthily, and as though desirous of
seeking an opportunity of speaking, the American officers awaited their coming
up. On being accosted, the Japanese were observed to be men of some
position and rank, as each wore the two swords characteristic of distinction,
and were dressed in wide but short trowsers of rich silk brocade. Their
manners showed the usual courtly refinement of the better classes, but they exhibited
the embarrassment of men who evidently were not perfectly at their
ease, and were about doing something of dubious propriety. They cast
their eyes stealthily about, as if to assure themselves that none of their
countrymen were at hand to observe their proceedings, and then approaching
one of the officers and pretending to admire his watch-chain, slipped
within the breast of his coat a folded paper.* They now significantly, with
the finger upon the lips, entreated secresy, and rapidly made off.
During the succeeding night about two o’clock, a . m., (April 25th,) the
officer of the mid watch, on board the steamer Mississippi, was aroused by
a voice from a boat alongside, and upon proceeding to the gangway, found a
couple of Japanese, who had mounted the ladder at the ship’s side, and
upon being accosted, made signs expressive of a desire to be admitted on
board.
They seemed very eager to be allowed to remain, and showed a very evi-
* This paper proved to be a letter in Japanese, of which the following is a literal translation
by Mr. Williams, the interpreter of the squadron :
“ Two scholars from Yedo, in Japan, present this letter for the inspection of ‘ the high
officers and those who manage affairs.’ Our attainments aró few and trifling, as we ourselves
are Bmall and unimportant, so that we are abashed in coming before you; we are
neither skilled in the use of arms, nor are we able to discourse upon the rules of strategy
and military discipline ; in trifling pursuits and idle pastimes our years and months have
■ slipped away. We have, however, read in books, and learned a little by hearsay, what are
the customs and education in Europe and America, and we have been for many years desirous
of going over the ‘ five great continents,’ but the laws of our country in all maritime points
are very strict; for foreigners to come into the country, and for natives to go abroad, are
both immutably forbidden. Our wish to visit other regions has consequently only ‘ gone
to and fro in our own breasts in continual agitation,’ like one’s breathing being impeded or
his walking cramped. Happily, the arrival of so many of your ships in these waters, and
stay for so many days, which has given us opportunity to make a pleasing acquaintance
and careful examination, so that we are fully assured of the kindness and liberality
of your excellencies, and your regard for others, has also revived the thoughts of many
years, and they are urgent for an exit.
This, then, is the time to carry the plan into execution, and we now secretly send
you this private request, that you will take us on board your ships as they go out to sea;
we can thus visit around in the five great continents, even if we do in this, slight the prohibitions
of our own country. Lest those who have the management of affairs may feel some
chagrin at this, in ordér to effect our desire, we are willing to serve in any way we can on
board of the ships, and obey the orders given us. For doubtless it is, that when a lame
man sees others walking he wishes to walk too; but how shall the pedestrian gratify his
desires when he sees another one riding ? We have all our lives been going bithar to you,
unable to get more than thirty degrees east and west, or twenty-five degrees north and
south; but now when we see how you sail on the tempests and cleave the huge billows,
going lightning speed thousands and myriads of miles, skirting along the five great continents,
can it not be likened to the lame finding a plan for walking, and the pedestrian see-
ing a mode by which he can ride ? If you who manage affairs will give our request your
consideration, we will retain the sense of the favor; but the prohibitions of our country are
still existent, and if this matter should become known we should uselessly see ourselves
pursued and brought back for immediate execution without fail, and such a result would
greatly grieve the deep humanity and kindness you all bear towards others. If you are
wiHmg to accede to this request, keep ‘ wrapped in silence our error in making it ’ until
you are about to leave, in order to avoid all risk of such serious danger to life ; for when
by-and-bye, we come back, our countrymen will never think it worth while to investigate
bygone doings. Although our words have only loosely let our thoughts leak out, yet truly