MATTHEW C. PERRY. 367 



Great difficulties impeded the accomplishment of 

 this desirable result. Many other nations had in 

 vain solicited the alliance of the Japanese, and had 

 attempted to secure an entrance into an empire 

 which had been hermetically sealed to all foreigners, 

 except to the Dutch alone, during many past cen- 

 turies. Yet Commodore Perry not only undertook 

 the task which so many had failed in accomplish- 

 ing, but he crowned his bold and persevering efforts 

 with the most complete success. 



The intentions of the American Government in 

 reference to this expedition were originally magnifi- 

 cent. Its design was to send out at least twelve 

 war-steamers, under the command of Commodore 

 Perry ; thus laboring to secure success in a very 

 doubtful enterprise by making an imposing demon- 

 stration of naval and military power. After the 

 delay of nearly a year, a single vessel, the steamer 

 Mississippi, was the only one which the Govern- 

 ment was disposed to appropriate to this purpose, 

 although other vessels were destined to follow, and 

 some which were then cruising elsewhere were 

 ordered to join the commander at the scene of his 

 negotiations. Commodore Perry sailed from Nor- 

 folk on the 24th of November, 1852, and arrived at 

 Madeira after a rapid voyage of seventeen days. 

 On the 3d of January, the ship crossed the line ; 



