■ibJ. E X P E Ti I T I N T (I J A P A N . 



Americans. Various government vessels sailed down the baj', and a large fleet of small boats 

 arrived on the Uraga shore from the opposite coast, evidently preparatory to the approaching 

 occasion. A constant sound of hammers, intermingled with the noisy, voices of Japanese 

 laborers, arising as was supposed from the quarter where the building was in progress, disturbed 

 the quiet of tlic night and was prolonged into the morning watches. All was busy preparation 

 for the coming day. 



Thursday, (July 14) opened witli a sun that was somewhat obscured at early dawn, but which 

 soon came out brightly and dispelled the fogs and clouds which overhung the laud and seemed 

 to give an inauspicious aspect to the occasion. As the atmosphere cleared and the shores were 

 disclosed to view, the steady labors of the Japanese during the night were revealed in the showy 

 effect on the Uraga shore. Ornamental screens of cloth had been so arranged as to give a more 

 distinct prominence, as well as the aj^pearance of greater size to the bastions and forts ; and two 

 tents had been spread among the trees. The screens were stretched tightly in the usual way 

 upon posts of wood, and each interval between the posts was thus distinctly marked, and had, in 

 the distance, the appearance of panelling. Upon these seeming panels were emblazoned the 

 imperial arms, alternating with the device of a scarlet flower bearing large heart-shaped leaves. 

 Flags and streamers, upon which were various designs represented in gay colors, hung from the 

 several angles of the screens, while behind them thronged crowds of soldiers, arrayed in a 

 costume which had not been before observed, and whiclr was supposed to belong to higli occasions 

 only. The main portion of the dress was a species of frock of a dark color, with short skirts, 

 the waists of which were gathered in with a sash, and which was without sleeves, the arms of 

 the wearers being bare. 



All on board the ships were alert from the earliest hour, making the necessary preparations. 

 Steam was got up and the anchors were weighed that the ships might be moved to a position 

 where their guns would command the place of reception. The sailing vessels, however, because 

 of a calm, were unable to get into position. The oflicers, seamen, and marines who were to 

 accompany the Commodore were selected, and as large a number of them mustered as could 

 possibly be spared from the whole squadron. All, of course, were eager to bear a part in the 

 ceremonies of the day, but all could not possibly go, as a sufficient number must be left to do 

 ships' duty. Many of the oflicers and men were selected by lot, and when the full complement, 

 which amounted to nearly three hundred, was filled up, each one busied himself in getting his 

 person ready for the occasion. The oflicers, as had been ordered, were in full official dress, while 

 the sailors and marines were in their naval and military uniforms of blue and white. 



Before eight bells in the morning watch had struck, the Susquehanna and Mississippi moved 

 slowly down the liay. Simultaneously with this movement of our ships, six Japanese boats 

 were observed to sail in the same direction, but more within the land. The government striped 

 flag distinguished two of them, showing the presence of some high officials, while the others 

 carried red banners, and were supposed to have on board a retinue or guard of soldiers. On 

 doubling the head-land which separated tlie former anchorage from the bay below, the prepara- 

 tions of the Japanese on the shore came suddenly into view. The land bordering the head of 

 the bay was gay with a long stretch of painted screens of cloth, upon which was emblazoned the 

 arms of the Emperor. Nine tall standards stood in the centre of an immense number of banners 

 of divers lively colors, which were arranged on either side, until the whole formed a crescent of 

 variously tinted flags, which fluttered brightly in the rays of the morning sun. From the tall 



