DR. VON SIEBOLD'S REJECTION. 79 



Another matter, of no little delicacy in its adjustment, was likely to arise from the presence 

 of scientific gentlemen not subject to the strict discipline of the navy. The Commodore's 

 instructions required of him to prohibit those under his command from making any communi- 

 cations to the newspapers and other public prints touching the movements of the squadron or 

 the discipline and internal regulations of the vessels composing it ; and even private letters to 

 friends were to avoid these topics. All journals and private notes kept by members of the 

 expedition were to be considered as belonging to the government until permission should be 

 given from the Navy Department to publish them. The object of these regulations was to 

 withhold information from other powers which, if communicated, might jeopard the success of 

 our mission. It was known that other nations, particularly Kussia, had ordered ships to Japan 

 as soon as it was known that the United States had sent there a squadron. Now, the cor- 

 respondence of scientific gentlempn with their friends and families was a delicate subject to be 

 discussed between them and the commander. The latter would neither demand to see their 

 letters nor prescribe the topics on which they might write. It was, therefore, best to avoid 

 embarrassment by preventing the possibility of its occurrence. 



Some professional feeling also influenced the determination of the Commodore. He supposed 

 that it was desirable to cherish a taste for scientific observation and study among the officers of 

 the navy, many of whom are already not without reputation in science. If an opportunity 

 were afforded them, and facilities furnished for observation, it would make them students of 

 science ; and though they might not always, in their early efforts, be able to account 

 philosophically for what they saw, yet they could record facts which others might explain ; and, 

 as they would never forget the facts or the explanations, they would thus be adding to their 

 stores of scientific knowledge. Many of the officers of our army are scientific men ; there is 

 no reason why our naval officers should not be so also. 



These were the general causes which led the Commodore to the determination we have 

 mentioned, without reference to persons. It is proper, however, to add, that, with respect to 

 one individual, who manifested extraordinary desire to be of the expedition, and who has 

 published untruths concerning it since its return, (Dr. Von Siebold,) Commodore Perry refused 

 on f)ersonal grounds. From information received from abroad, he suspected him of being a 

 Russian spy, and he knew that he had been banished from Japan, where, by a violation of 

 law, he had forfeited his life. 



On the Commodore's return from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, he found that the vessels under 

 his command were by no means ready for sea ; and, leaving New York, he proceeded in the 

 Mississippi to Annapolis. He was not long in making the discovery that, unless he sailed 

 alone and trusted to the chances of being joined at uncertain periods by the vessels assigned to 

 his command, and then under equipment, he might be detained in the ynited States several 

 months longer. He therefore, with the approbation of the Navy Department, determined to 

 proceed on his voyage in the Mississippi without further delay ; with the understanding that he 

 should be followed, as soon as possible, by the other vessels of the squadron. 



Before leaving Annapolis, President Fillmore, with the Secretary of the Navy and many 

 other persons of distinction, both ladies and gentlemen, visited the ship and bade farewell to 

 the Commodore and his officers. As the Mississippi and Princeton steamed down the 

 Chesapeake bay, the discovery was made of the entire unfitness of the last named vessel to make 

 the contemplated voyage. Her machinery failed, and it was on the arrival at Norfolk that 



