MATTHEW C. PERRY. 381 



the foremost American boat, which conveyed the 

 officer who had command of the day. A tempo- 

 rary wharf had been erected to facilitate the land- 

 ing. The commodore came last of all, in his state- 

 barge. His passage was greeted by a salute of 

 thirteen guns from his flag-ship. On landing he 

 was conducted up the beach, through two lines of 

 guards, to the house of reception. The Americana 

 who followed him were four hundred in number, 

 and made an imposing appearance. They were all 

 in full uniform and armed ; and their vigorous and 

 athletic forms presented quite a favorable contrast 

 to the effeminate Japanese around them. The 

 box which contained the letter of President Fill- 

 more to the Emperor was wrapped in a scarlet 

 cloth envelop ; and was carried by two boys who 

 were fancifully dressed for the occasion. The letter 

 itself was somewhat remarkable. It was written on 

 vellum of folio size, and bound in blue silk velvet. 

 The seals were attached to it by cords of silk and 

 gold, to which gold tassels were appended. The 

 seals were encased in circular boxes, six inches in 

 diameter and three in depth, beautifully wrought in 

 eolid gold. The box which contained the letter 

 was made of rosewood and adorned with gold. 



The house appointed for the meeting was hand- 

 somely decorated. The floor was covered with 



