On the fifth day out, the smoke of the volcano of Oho-sima was discovered
in the distance, and the land was soon distinctly made; but the weather
becoming very thick from the rain and mist, it was found necessary to
put the ships’ heads off shore, and continue under low steam during the
night. The fog continuing while the ships were among the islands in the
Gulf of Yedo, caused- a delay of full twenty-four hours, and they consequently
did not arrive at Simoda until the 7th of June, which, however,
was one day before the time appointed for a meeting of the Commodore
with the commissioners. Nothing of especial interest occurred during the
passage. A very large number of whales was observed, and the strong
eastward current was remarked as before.
At noon, the Powhatan, passing Vandalia bluff at the entrance of Simoda
harbor, ran in and came to anchor in her former berth, followed by her
consort the Mississippi. The store-ship Supply was found at anchor in the
harbor. Shortly after anchoring, some of the Japanese officers came on
bcfard the flag-ship, and cordially welcoming the Commodore on his return
to Simoda, informed him that the commissioners had arrived from Yedo with
an addition of two to their number. As the Commodore was very desirous
of completing his business with these functionaries, who, judging from past
experience, would probably be somewhat slow in all their movements, he
sent his flag-lieutenant on shore to propose an immediate interview. I t
was ascertained by this officer that the commissioners were out of town, but
very soon after a message arrived, to the effect that they would return at
once, and be in readiness to meet the Commodore the next day at noon.
The Commodore landed with a suitable escort on the next day, and was
received at the temple by the commissioners, with the usual formal compliments.
The two new members of the commission were presented by their
names and titles as Tzudsuki, Suraga-no-kami, (prince of Suraga,) and Take-
no-uchisetaro, comptroller of the revenues: the chief commissioner then stated
that Simoda had been made an imperial city, and that Izawa, Prince of
Mimasaki, and Tzudsuki had been appointed its governors, with Kura-kawa-
kahei and Ise-sin-toheiro as lieutenant-governors. In consequence of this
new organization, the commissioners declared that it would be necessary to
establish certain boundaries to the city by means of walls and gates, in
order to define the limits of the imperial jurisdiction; and asked whether
the Commodore would object to the erection of such, with the understanding
that the Americans should have the privilege of going where and when
they pleased within them, and beyond them, on asking permission, which
permission would always readily be granted. The Commodore replied that
he had no desire to interfere with any plans of the government, provided
they did not violate the stipulations of the treaty j and, reminding them
that the Americans had a perfect right, guaranteed to them by that document,
of moving unmolested within the limits of seven li or ri, said that,
of course, he would leave what was beyond that distance to be governed by
their own regulations.* I t was then mutually agreed that three American
officers should accompany the Japanese officers appointed to affix the
boundaries, and regulate the erection of the walls and gates at Simoda.
The Commodore, however, positively refused to consent that Americans
should ask any permission of the Japanese officers, or of any one else, to go
anywhere within the limits of the seven r i fixed by the treaty, they, of
course, conducting themselves properly and peaceably.
The great discussion, however, was concerning the boundaries within
which our countrymen might go at Hakodadi. These had not yet been
settled at all. The Japanese wished to confine the Americans within the
city itself; but as the Commodore protested most strongly against this,-the
subject was postponed for future consideration. The commissioners having
stated that a special place had been set apart for the burial of the Americans,
asked permission to have the body of the man buried at Yoku-hama
removed to Simoda. This was granted, and a promise made that proper
persons from the squadron should be selected to assist in the removal.
The suggestion of the Commodore that pilots and a harbor-master
should be appointed, was readily acceded to by the commissioners, who
promised that suitable persons should be chosen and made acquainted with
their duties. The conference then closed, and was resumed on the following
day, in the course of which the question again came up in regard to the
limits at Hakodadi, but its settlement was, for the second time, postponed.
A general conversation ensued over the refreshments with which the Japanese
entertained their guests, in which the commissioners showed, by their
inquiries, that lively interest which was uniformly exhibited among the
educated classes in the events transpiring in different parts of the world.
They were very curious to know something about the products and manufactures
of the United States, and asked our views in regard to China and
its revolution, and concerning the war between Russia and Turkey.
Another conference took place on the succeeding day, but without any
definite result in regard to the limits at Hakodadi, although the question
was discussed for several hours. An attempt was made by the commissioners
to obtain the consent of the Commodore to a regulation prohibiting the
Americans from remaining on shore after sunset, which was positively
refused. Two (the newly appointed commissioners) had been chosen
expressly to settle the question in regard to the comparative value of
the Japanese and United States currencies, and Pursers Speiden and
Eldridge were selected by the Commodore to confer with them on that
* A ri is equal to 2 -A5Tnr English statute miles; 6 feet is equal to 1 ken ; 60 kens make
1 choo ; 86 choos make 1 ri. The fans of the Japanese are of uniform size, six of them
making five English feet They are used as measures, recognized by the laws.