PREPARATIONS IN THE SQUADRON FOR THE RECEPTION. 251 



In the course of the conference, the Japanese dignitaries showed their great regard for 

 ceremony hy adverting to various minute points of etiquette in reference to the approaching 

 reception. Tliey announced that all the Japanese officers would he clothed in full official 

 costume, and nob in the dresses worn on ordinary occasions. They seemed to be considerably 

 troubled because they would not be able to seat their visitors, on the morrow, in the same kind 

 of arm chair as that then occupied by themselves in the cabin, and apologized for not having 

 any such. They were no less anxious on the score of the wines and brandies, and begged that 

 they might be excused for not offering tlie same as they had been regaled with, since the 

 country did not possess them. They were told to dismiss their solicitude on these points ; that, 

 as the practice of hospitality, and manners and customs, neces.sarily differed in different 

 countries, it was not reasonable to expect to find American habits prevailing in Japan; and 

 that the Commodore would be satisfied to be seated in the same manner as the dignitary 

 appointed to meet him, wliile the other American officers would content themselves with such 

 seats as were provided for their equals in rank among the Japanese. 



They then made some inquiries in regard to the minute details of the approaching ceremony, 

 as to whether the Commodore would present the President's letter directly from his own hand 

 into that of the Japanese commissioner, whose name and title, ])y the way, were now 

 announced as Toda-Idzu-no-Kami, First Counsellor of the Empire. 



It was asked whether the Commodore would immediately return to his sliip after delivering 

 the letter, and also when he would come back to Japan to receive an answer. The Chinese 

 interpreter^ Mr. Williams, showed them a map or plan of Yedo, which they said must have 

 been drawn some seventy years ago, as the capital had changed much since the plan was made, 

 having greatly increased in size, and much improved. They, however, recognized on the plan 

 various conspicuous places, and pointed them out very readily, as if politely willing to gratify 

 the natural curiosity of their companj'. 



The wliole conference had lasted about two hours and a half, and when the Japanese 

 functionaries rose to depart it was already evening. They left the ship with the usual polite 

 courtesies, bowing, as usual, at every step; and the chief interpreter, Hori Tatznoske, who had 

 evidently a great aptitude for the acquisition of foreign languages, mustered English enough to 

 say very distinctly as he departed, "Want to go home." 



The Commodore, in preparation for the coming event of the next morning, summoned his 

 captains, from the several vessels of the squadron, on board the flag-ship. Orders were then 

 given that the vessels should be removed, early in the morning, to an anchorage in line, 

 covering the whole bay, in front of the place of reception,* as the Commodore was resolved to be 

 prepared against any possible treachery or duplicity on the part of the people with whom he 

 had to deal, and as the object of the Japanese in the selection of this place of meeting was not 

 very apparent to his mind. It was also ordered that all the officers who could possibly leave 

 the ships .should appear in full uniform, and accompany the Commodore to the reception_, in 

 order that he might present as imposing a retinue as practicable. The surveying boats had 

 been kept busy during the day, completing their observations, and were allowed to proceed with 

 their work without any molestation from the native authorities. 



The Japanese seemed no less busy in active preparation for the morning's ceremony than the 



• Marked on the chart as " Reception Bay." 



