CHAPTER XXIV
Interview between the Commodore and the representative of the Prince of
to explore Volcano bay, inclnding Endermo harbor.-Eeport of the tt£SgKft(V-rty t '.gg
around the bay.-Emption of a volcano at midnigbt.-Ainos.-Bonndaries of Americans at « ¡ | ¡ p ¡
left to be settled with the imperial commissloners.-Good understanding between the Amer cans an
people of Hakodadi.—Japanese delighted wltl. the exhibition of the “ Ethiopian minstrels on board
ship.—Squadron tbeatricals—Iuterest of Japanese in the machinery and fire-arms of the ■“ ! » - " > ;
ewer of Hakodadi authorities to Commodore’s inquiries as to European or American vessels wrecked
in Japan during the last ten years—Answer of the imperial commissioners to similar inquiries.
Macedonian sails for Simoda.-Yandalia dispatched for China by the western passage.-Japanese officers
desire a conference with the Commodore.-Elag-Lieutenant sent ashore to bring them on hoard
-Disrespectful conduct of the officers.-Flag-Lieutenant returns without tbero.—lapaneso officer»
finally come off In their own b o a t-N o t allowed to see the Commodore until they apologized for their
behavior.—Apology accepted.—Conference results in nothing h u t a further illustration of Japanese
finesse—Burials of Americans at Hakodadi.—Eespect shown for the ceremonies by the
Buddhist priest performs his funeral ceremonies after the Americans retim-Se rv ices in a Buddhist
fenmle-Japanese erect a fence around the American gr»ves.-Sailor's epitaph composed h , his ship-
mates.—Block of granite presented by the Japanese at Hakodadi for the Washington m o n n ^ m t -
Volcano of Oho-sima.—Arrival at S imoda-Meeting with the commissioners.-Boundaries at Hakodadi
settled.-Appointment of pilots and harbor-master agreed o n.-Value of Japanese and America
money respectively fixed.—Additional regulations between the commissioners and Commodore agreed
to and signed.—Coal supplied at S im o d a -Its comparative quality and value.-Cost of vanous articles
furnished to the shipa-Another block of stone for the Washington monument presented by the imperial
commissioners at B imoda-Japanese present of dogs to the P resident.-Sam Patch has an interview
with the officials of his country.-Befuses to go on shore or leave the ehip.-Praiseworthy
conduct of a m arine toward S am .- “ Dan Ketcli.’W ap an e se punishment of cruciflmon.-Practlce of
the “ hari k a rl" or “ happy dispatch.”-Dep artu re from Simoda-Macedonian and Supply sent to
Formosa and Philippines.—Bedfield rooks.-Pa rty sent on shore for observation of Oho-sima An g
val at Lew Chew.—Southampton ordered to Hong Kong.—Powhatan and Mississippi come to anchor
N the afternoon of May
19, the Commodore,
having shifted his flag
temporarily to the Mississippi,
-received on
hoard of that ship
Matsmai Kangsayu, the
great officer of the
family of the prince of
Matsmai, who had come,
as had been announced,
to meet the Americans
on behalf of his superior.
He was accompanied
by Yendo Mata-
zaimon, the bungo or
governor of Hakodadi,
r s V i n l r f Kenso. the Chinese interpreter, and •n l attendants. Af535
ter the usual interchange of compliments, the Commodore asked when he
was to expect the arrival of the Prince of Matsmai himself. Kangsayu
replied, that it was impossible to say, as he was at Matsmai, and no communication
had been received from him in reference to his coming. The
Commodore then remarked, that if the prince did not come to see him he
would be obliged to go and see the prince, since there was no one at Hakodadi
with whom a conference could be held in regard to the treaty. Upon
this the Japanese rejoined, that, as the prince could not leave Matsmai
himself, he had delegated his highest officer to meet the Commodore as
his substitute, who was ready to put the treaty in operation. I t was,
however, added, that the Americans were asking for some things not specified,
inasmuch as the treaty was not to go into effect before the lapse of
a year from its date. I t was then explained to the Japanese,. that this
condition had reference to merchant vessels, but that the Commodore had
made subsequent arrangements with the high commissioners about his present
visit, the objects of which he was now desirous of accomplishing if
Kangsayu had full powers to act in the matter. This dignitary then answered
that he was clothed with complete local authority, but that neither
he nor his prince could settle the boundary within which American intercourse
was to be restricted without instructions from the court at Yedo.
The wind now commenced blowing very hard, and the bay was so rough
that the Japanese preferred remaining for some time on board the Mississippi,
where they were handsomely entertained, and shown all the points
and novelties of the steamer. After a long stay, in the course of which
the Japanese were evidently gratified by all they saw (manifesting therein
their usual intelligent interest) and by the attentions they received, they
returned to the shore.
On the next day the Southampton was dispatched by the Commodore
to make a survey of Volcano Bay, including Endermo harbor, about seventy
miles from Hakodadi, at the southeastern end of Yesso; and it may
be here appropriate, though somewhat anticipating the chronological order
of events, to dispose of this part of our story, by giving a general report
of the result of the survey. The ship arrived off the southern promontory
of Volcano Bay at five o’clock on the afternoon of the day of her
departure from Hakodadi. The wind soon lulled to a dead calm, and the
bay was not entered until the next morning. The weather being very
thick the ship bore away for the harbor of Endermo, and shortly after noon
made'the land ahead, which, being approached to within two miles, was
coasted in ten fathoms of water, taking care to keep off when shoaling in
that depth. The fog was so thick, and the breakers were so far off the
shore, that it was not deemed prudent to approach too near the land ] and,
consequently, the entrance to the harbor of Endermo, which is quite narrow
and shut in by adjacent points, could not be seen. Its position, how