Fortunately the Japanese and many other islands of the Pacific are still
left untouched by this “ annexing ” government; and, as some of them lay
in the route of a commerce which is destined to become of great importance
to the United States, no time should be lost in adopting active measures to
secure a sufficient number of ports of refuge. And hence I shall look with
much anxiety for the arrival of the Powhatan and the other vessels to be
sent to me.
I have thus exhibited, in this crude and informal communication, my
views upon a subject which is exciting extraordinary attention throughout
the world, and I trust the department will approve the oourse I propose to
pursue.
With great respect, I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
M. C. PEKKY,
Commanding East India Squadron.
Hon. J o h n P. K e n n e d y ,
Secretary o f the Nary, Washington.
The answer to this communication did not, of course, reach the Commodore
for many months; but as it preserves the continuity of the transaction
as well as shows the spirit of the government, and its confidence in the Commodore,
it is inserted in the note below.*
On the evening of Wednesday, December 15, the Mississippi weighed an-
*Mr. Everett to Commodore Perry.
D epartment o f State, Washington, February 15, 1853.
S ir: Your despatch of the 14th of December has been referred by the Secretary of the
Navy to this department, and by me submitted to the President
The President concurs with you in the opinion that it is highly desirable, probably ne-
oessary for the safety of the expedition under your command, that you should secure one or
more ports of refuge of easy access. If you find that these cannot be obtained in the J apáñese
islands without resort to force, it will be necessary that you should seek them elsewhere.
The President agrees with you in thinking that you are most likely to succeed in this object
in the Lew Chew islands. They are, from their position, well adapted to the purpose ; and
the friendly and peaceful character of the natives encourages the hope that your visit will
be welcomed by them.
In establishing yourself at one or two convenient points in those islands, with the consent
of the natives, you will yourself pursue the most friendly and conciliatory course, and
enjoin the same conduct on all under your command. Take no supplies from them except by
fair purchase, for a satisfactory consideration. Forbid, and at all hazards prevent plunder
fl-nd acts cf violence on the part of your men toward these simple and unwarlike people, for
such they are described to be. Let them from the first see that your coming among them
is a benefit, and not an evil to them. Make no use of force, except in the last resort for
defence, if attacked, and self-preservation.
The President approves the idea suggested by you of encouraging the natives to turn
their attention to agriculture, and has given orders to have the implements of husbandry
mentioned by you sent out by the Vermont. He has also directed a small printing press,
with type and materials fbr printing of all kinds, to be sent out by the Vermont.
The President is gratified to perceive that you are impressed with the importance of the
ohor and proceeded to sea, under steam, shaping her course to pass to the
westward of Palma, one of the Canaries. This island was made at daylight
on the morning of the 17th, and after reaching the lee of Hierro or Ferro,
the southwesternmost of the group, the immersed floats or paddle hoards on
each side of the vessel were removed, the fires were extinguished, and the ship
left entirely dependent upon her sails.
This change was made from an expectation that the ship would soon he
under the impulse of the northeast trade winds. At the time the floats were
removed there was a moderate breeze from E. S. E., which it was supposed
would gradually settle into the northeast trades; but, much to the surprise
of the officers of the ship, it hauled more to the southward, and eventually
came from the S. S. W. Such was the obscurity of the weather at the Canaries
that Teneriffe was not seen at all, and but an indistinct view was obtained
of Gomera. This was the more remarkable, because, as Baron Humboldt
has remarked, although the peak of Teneriffe is seldom seen at a great
distance in the warm, dry months of July and August, yet in January and
February, when the sky is slightly clouded, and immediately before or after
a heavy rain, it is seen at very extraordinary distances. This arises from the
fact that when a certain quantity of water is uniformly diffused through the
atmosphere the transparency of the latter is thereby greatly increased.
There was a circumstance whioh the Commodore had observed ever since
the ship left Norfolk, a month before, and which surprised him not a little.
He found an extraordinary swell coming from the northwest, and which never
intermitted for a moment until the ship was fairly within the trades; and
even then its influence could be felt in the disturbance of the uBually regular
sea produced by the periodical winds, and by the production of a disagreeable
oross movement of the waves. I t was difficult to account for this swell so
long continued; it was quite certain the ship had experienced no violence
of wind sufficient to produce it in the region which she had traversed, and
since the 18th the winds had been quite moderate. The conjecture of the
Commodore was that there must have been in the higher latitudes a succession
of northwesterly gales, which had prevailed long enough to set in motion an
ocean wave which was never subdued until it came in contact with the steady,
though more quiet, tropical swell.
This swell, too, possibly had an effect in throwing further south than
usual the northern boundary of the trades. From the time of removing the
enterprise confided to your direction, the success of which will mainly depend upon your
prudence and address. I t will attract a large share of the attention of the civilized world;
and the President feels great confidence that the measures adopted by you will reflect credit
on your own wisdom and discretion, and do honor to your country.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
^ EDWARD EYEEETT.
Commodore M. C. Perry,
Commanding the United States naval forces in the China seas.