CONVERSATION WITH THE GOVERNOR OF URAGA 245 



of tranquillity, and no movement was observed on the part of the fortresses, or the many 

 government boats along the shore. 



The governor, in accordance with his promise on leaving in the morning, returned in the 

 afternoon accompanied, as usual, by his interpreters and suite. He came off, however, in one of 

 the ordinary Japanese boats, and not, as earlier in the day, in the vessel built after the European 

 model. Captains Buchanan and Adams were in readiness to receive the party, and resumed 

 the renewed conference witli the same form and ceremony as before ; the Commodore still 

 preserving his seclusion and communicating with the Japanese only through others. The 

 conversation is here given verbatim as reported. 



CONVERSATION. 



Present Captains Buchanan and Adams, Lieutenant Contee, Flag Lieutenant, and Yezaiman, 

 governor of Uraga, and interpreters. 



Yezaiman. As it will take a great deal of time to send up the copies of the letters first, and 

 the originals afterward, I propose that the originals and the copies be delivered together, when 

 the high officer comes. The governor and the high officer will do their best to entertain the 

 Admiral and give him a suitable reception. 



Copt. Buchanan. That is not the object of the Commodore : he wishes these communications 

 to go because there is among them a letter to the Emperor from himself, which he desires to 

 send to Yedo with the copies. The reply to the President's letter is not of so much consequence 

 just now. We want a reply to the Commodore's letter which is in the package. 



Yezaiman. If you send the original letter we will reply to it as soon as possible. We are 

 here for the purpose of receiving the letter from the President to the Emperor, but now you 

 speak of a letter from the Admiral to the Emperor. 



Capt. B. The letter from the Admiral is in the package containing the copies of the 

 President's letter. It states that he has in his possession the original letter of the President, 

 and is empowered by the President to deliver it in person to the Emperor, or to a high officer of 

 equal rank with himself, appointed by the Emjieror. 



Yezaiman. We are very sorry that you separate the two ; it would be better to send the 

 originals at once with the copies. 



Capt. B. That is impossible. The letter of the Admiral states that he has the original letter 

 of the President, and is empowered to deliver it^ either in person or to an officer of his own 

 rank ; when the Emperor is aware of the fact that the Admiral has the letter, then he will 

 appoint an officer of the same rank to receive the original, and the Admiral will return at some 

 future day to receive the answer. 



Yezaiman. Can you not contrive to manage it in such a way that the original letter may be 

 sept with the copies ? 



Capt. B. It cannot be done. 



Yezaiman. When the ships first came it was not mentioned that the copies must be sent first, 

 and not the original letters ; and now you mention it. 



Capt. B. During the first visit you made here, you were shown the original letters, and 

 also the copies, and the same statement was then made by us as now. — (.After a pause Captain 

 B. resumed.) — Will the high officer who will come here be accredited by the Emperor to receive 

 the letters from the Admiral? 



