240 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



miles aliead the bold cliff, whicli guards both sides of the entrance to the inner harbor leading 

 to Yedo, were readily discernible. Nearer, the hovrses of Uraga could be so plainly seen that 

 their peculiar forms and construction could be made out, and they were perceived to be built of 

 wood, with roofs of various forms — pointed, square, and pyramidal. Most of the buildings 

 were of the natural color of the wood, somewhat discolored, however, by time, while some few 

 were painted white. The Japanese boats and junks, to the number of several hundreds, 

 extending from the headland, off which the Susquehanna was anchored, to the harbor, were so 

 distinctly visible as to be readily counted. Nearer still, the eye could minutely distinguish the 

 parts of the unfinished forts that were in the process of construction on the heights opposite to 

 the ship. 



The next day was Sunday, (July 10th,) and, as usual, divine service was held on board 

 the ships and, in accordance with proper reverence for the day, no communication was held 

 with the Japanese authorities. During the day, however, a boat came off with a striped 

 flag, which indicated the high rank of the three or four Japanese sitting beneath its awning 

 and languidly using their fans. They were evidently persons of distinction, and had the 

 same intelligent expression and the remarkably courtly manners which were uniformly 

 observed in all those of the better class. On coming alongside they, through their interpreter 

 whom they had brought, requested permission to come on board. They were asked if they 

 had any business with the Commodore, and answering that they had none, but merely wished 

 to have a talk, were politely informed that, by his orders, they could not be received. 

 Through the day, preparations were observed to be still proceeding on the land ; the soldiers 

 moved busily, with their glistening shields and long spears, about the batteries in sight, 

 and some seemed to be engaged in removing the sham forts of striped canvas, and in training 

 more guns upon the squadron. The reverberations of the report of a cannon, fired off 

 apparently some distance up the bay, echoed through the hills, and were distinctly heard 

 on board the ships. At night, the beacon-fires, though fewer in number than on the previous 

 evening, again blazed, while the deep-toned bell tolled as usual until morning. Everything, 

 however, remained on board the ships tranquil and without interruption, as befitted the 

 Christian day of rest. 



On the next morning early (Monday) the surveying boats were dispatched higher up the 

 bay, and Commander Lee, of the steamer Mississippi, was directed to get his ship under way to 

 protect them, if necessary. The governor of Uraga, on seeing the Mississippi going higher 

 up, came on board, although he had been told that there would be no necessity for further 

 communication or discussion until the reply from Yedo was received. 



The Commodore had sent the Mississippi and the boats on the service, in part for effect, 

 being satisfied that the very circumstance of approaching nearer to Yedo with a powerful 

 ship would alarm the authorities, and induce them to give a more favorable answer to his 

 demands. It happened as was expected. The governor pretended that his visit to the ship 

 was simply for the purpose of bringing the information that it was very probable the letters 

 (meaning, as was then supposed, the translations of the originals) would be received on the 

 following day, and forwarded to Yedo. His evident object in coming on board, however, was 

 to ascertain for what purpose the Mississippi and the surveying boats had ascended the bay, 

 and he accordingly put the question. 



The Commodore, anticipating the inquiry, directed that the governor should be informed 

 that, unless the business which had brought the squadron to the bay of Y'edo was arranged 



