MATTHEW C. PERRY. 389 



the bay that he could distinctly hear the solemn 

 striking of the night-watches on the towers of the 

 capital, from the deck of his flag-ship* This decisive 

 movement accomplished, its intended effect. Very 

 soon the Japanese officials visited the commodore, 

 and appointed the village of Yokuhama, a place 

 much higher up the bay than Uraga, as the spot 

 chosen for the deliberations. This village is one of 

 an almost uninterrupted series which stretch on both 

 sides of the bay from the sea to the capital ; and it 

 is in fact situated only nine miles from Jeddo. 



Here a large temporary building had been erected ; 

 and the final conferences commenced on the 8th of 

 March, 1854. The commodore drew up his squa- 

 dron, consisting of three steamers and six sailing* 

 vessels, so as completely to command the position. 

 A vast multitude of Japanese and a large array of 

 native soldiers were assembled to witness the pro- 

 ceedings. Five princes of the highest rank had 

 been appointed to represent the imperial govern- 

 ment on this important occasion. Commodore 

 Perry proceeded from his squadron attended by a 

 suitable retinue. He and his suite were conducted 

 to the building appointed for the purpose. As 

 soon as these were seated, the Japanese commis- 

 sioners entered. They were venerable persons, with 

 long beards, courteous manners, and arrayed in 



33* 



