382 MATTHEW C. PERRY. 



thick, soft mats of rice-straw, while the walls were 

 adorned with elegant representations of the crane, 

 the sacred bird of Japan. Along the sides, divans 

 of red cloth were placed. An inner apartment was 

 fitted up with silk hangings, and adorned with the 

 imperial arms, consisting of three leaves of clover 

 joined together in a circle. The commodore and 

 his suite having advanced toward the inner apart- 

 ment, they were conducted to seats which had been 

 prepared for them on the left, the place of honor 

 among the Japanese. On the right were seated the 

 two princes of the empire who had been appointed 

 to receive the letter. They were both venerable 

 men with white beards. As the commodore en- 

 tered, they rose and bowed. They were richly 

 dressed, and adorned with valuable jewels. $ear 

 them stood a large lacquered box, supported on 

 brazen feet, destined to receive the letter of the 

 President. All the Japanese who were present, ex- 

 cept the two princes, remained upon their knees 

 during the interview. 



The business of the occasion commenced by the 

 imperial commissioners asking whether the letter 

 and the credentials of the envoy were ready fur 

 delivery. Commodore Perry answered affirma- 

 tively; and then ordered his two pages to bring 

 forward the box containing the precious documents. 



