PREFATORY NOTE, V 



compiler makes this statement, not only to acknowledge the kindness of a friend, but 

 also to guard himself against the suspicion of being willing to appropriate, without 

 recognition, the labors of another. 



As to the Narrative itself, the highest ambition of the writer was to tell the story, if 

 he could, in such manner as would not only present a true picture, but also keep alive 

 the interest of the reader ; his wish was to make a book that might furnish information 

 without being wearisome. If in this he has succeeded, he has attained all to which he 

 aspired. If he has not, he has only to say that he will feel more of regret than surprise. 



In some instances he may be thought to be needlessly minute, and especially in describing 

 the pageantry of receptions, entertainments, &c. In this matter he felt obliged to consult 

 something beside his own taste merely ; he was looking to the natural curiosity of his 

 countrymen to know every particular of the story, and therefore preferred to tell too much 

 rather than too little. Beside, the pageantry was often an important part of the history 

 of the negotiation itself, with a people so ceremonious as the Japanese. 



Nor did the compiler hesitate to use freely the materials placed before him in the shape 

 of journals, &c., even though the substance of some portions of them is already in the hands 

 of the public. They were originally prepared for just such use as is here made of them ; 

 the report was designed to tell the incidents of the whole story from beginning to end ; and 

 the compiler was directed simply to use the materials that had been furnished him. It 

 was not for him to omit facts because others had already related them. 



In but one respect did he venture to exercise any discretion. His duty required that he 

 should tell all that occurred from the moment the Mississippi left the Capes of the Chesa- 

 peake. As, however, the chief interest of the Expedition was to be found in events that 

 occurred in China, Lew Chew, the Bonin Islands, and Japan, he endeavored to make as 

 brief as duty would permit the incidents of the earlier part of the outward voyage, sensible 

 that but little new remained to be said in passing over a track so often traversed and so 

 well known by intelligent Europeans and Americans. Still he believes he has omitted 

 nothing, which his materials furnished, that is likely to interest the general reader. 



Distance from the press has occasioned some typographical errors, which the intelligent 

 reader will readily correct. for himself; there are probably other errors; for these the other 

 duties of the compiler and the circumstances of his position will, he hopes, be accepted as 

 an apology.* 



* This volume will be followed by three others, as soon as the labors of the government press can produce them. 

 They are prepared. Appendix, vol. 1, will contain the Natural History and Illustrations, with various reports ; vol. 2 will 

 embrace the Astronomical Observations; and vol. .3 the Hydrography of the Expedition. 



