246 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



Yezaiman. He haa the authorization of the Emperor. 



Copt. B. Will he have any proof to show that he is thus authorized? 



Yezaiman. Yes, he can prove it. 



Capt. B. One of the letters is from the President, informing the Emperor of Japan that 

 Commodore Perry is sent as a high officer appointed by himself, and Commodore Perry will 

 expect similar credentials on the part of the officer appointed to speak with him. 



Yezaiman. He will receive the letter, but cannot enter into any negotiations. 



Capt. B. What is the rank and official title of the officer who is appointed? — {While the 

 interpreter is toriting the title of the officer in question, in Chinese characters, Captains Buchanan 

 and Adams retire to consult ivith the Commodore.} 



Lieutenant Contee. When will the high officers be ready to receive the letter? 



Interpreter. To-morrow or the day after. 



Lieut. C. Where is the house? 



Interpreter. On the shore. 



Lieut. C. Can you point it out from here? 



Interpreter. It cannot be seen. 



Lieut. C, {repealing his last question.') Can you point it out from here? 



Interpreter. It is on the other side of the hills — you can see it from another position. 



Lieut. C. What was the name of the officer who came on board on the day of our arrival? 



Interpreter. Nagazhima Saberoske. 



{Captains B^ichanan and Adains now returned.) 



Captain Buchanan. Captain Adams and I have just had a conversation with the Admiral.* 

 He says that, since you appear to have wholly misunderstood the matter about the letter, if you 

 can show proof that an officer of the proper rank is appointed to receive them, he will waive the 

 matter in dispute, and deliver the original at the same time with the copies. But he requires 

 strict evidence that the officer who shall meet him shall be of the necessary rank, and that he 

 has been specially appointed for the purpose by the Emperor. 



Yezaiman. Nagasaki is the proper place to receive letters from foreign nations, and because 

 Uraga is not an appropriate place, the officer will not be allowed to converse, but only to 

 receive the letters. 



Capt. B. He is only desired to receive the letters. Will he come on board, or will the letters 

 be delivered on shore? 



Yezaiman. He will not come on board, but will receive them on shore. 



Capt. B. Before the letters are delivered, the credentials of the officer must be translated 

 into Dutch, signed with the proper signatures, and sent on board the Admiral. 



Yezaiman. He will be accredited to receive the letter, but cannot speak. 



Capt. B. He will not be desired to speak, but he must have a paper signed by the Emperor, 

 stating that he is empowered to receive the letters. 



Yezaiman. He will have a document properly signed. 



[Captain Buchanan noiu directed Mr. Portman to write in Dutch the declaration he had made, 

 and to give it to the interpreter. The following is the English version : " There has been a 



* "It is proper to remark that the title of Admiral was necessarily used at these interviews, to designate your rank, as we 

 found Vezaiman's interpreters were familiar with it, and were entirely unacquainted with that of Commodore." — Extract from 

 Captain Adams' official report to Commodore Perry. 



