262 



EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



CONCESSIONS OF THE JAPANESE. RELAXATION OF THEIR RESTRICTIVE LAWS. SATISFACTION OF BOTH JAPANESE AND AMERICANS 



AT THE RESULT OF THE VISIT ON SHORE AND DELIVERY OF THE PRESIDENT'S LETTER. VISIT OF KEYAMA YEZAIMEN TO TBE 



SHIPS. IMPUDENCE OF THE INTERPRETER 5AB0ROSKE. THE StlUADRON GOES FURTHER UP THE BAY TOWARD THE CAPITAL. — ' 



POLICY OF THIS MOVEMENT. ALARM OF THE JAPANESE GRADUALLY QUIETED. BEAUTIFUL SCENERY UP THE BAY. SURVEY OP 



THE BAY CONTINUED. CONVIVIALITY ON BOARD. SURVEYING BOATS ENTER A SMALL RIVER. CORDIAL GREETING OF TH8 



INHABITANTS. — CROWD DISPERSED BY A JAPANESE OFFICIAL. COMMODORE TRANSFERS HIS PENNANT FROM THE SUSQUEHANNA 



TO THE MISSISSIPPI. THE LAST-NAMED VESSEL GOES UP IN SIGHT OF THE SHIPPING PLACE OF YEDO. SINAGAWA. YEDO 



ABOUT TEN MILES DISTANT FROM THE POINT WHERE THE SHIPS TURNED ABOUT. GOOD DEPTH OF WATER IN YEDO BAT, 



PROBABLY ALMOST UP TO THE CITY. THE BAY PRETTY THOROUGHLY EXPLORED AND SOUNDED BY THE SURVEYING PARTIES. 



INTERCHANGE OF PRESENTS WITH THE JAPANESE OFFICERS. AVOWED SORROW OF JAPANESE OFFICIALS ON BIDDING FAREWELL 



TO THE AMERICANS. COMMODORe's REASONS FOR NOT WAITING FOR A REPLY TO THE PRESIDENT'S LETTER. LEAVES YEDO 



BAY DECLARING HIS INTENTION TO RETURN IN THE ENSUING SPRING. THE SARATOGA SENT TO SHANGHAI TO LOOK AFTER 



AMERICAN INTERESTS. THE PLYMOUTH ORDERED TO LEW CHEW. OHO-SIMA. SHIPS ENCOUNTER A STORM. GENERAL 



RESULTS OF THE FIRST VISIT OF THE SQUADRON TO THE BAY OF YEDO. 



HE Commodore had, previous to setting out on the 

 expedition ashore, placed his two steamers in such a 

 position as to command the little hay, and had given 

 orders that the decks should he cleared and everything 

 got ready for action. Howitzers were placed in hoats 

 [alongside, in readiness to he dispatched at a moment's 

 I notice, in case any trouble should occur on land, and 

 [the ship's guns were prepared to send their halls and 

 , shells in showers upon all the line of Japanese troops 

 ' which thronged the shore, had they commenced hostil- 

 ities. There was, however, no serious apprehension 

 felt of any warlike termination to the ceremonies of 

 the day, although every precaution was properly taken to provide against the least untoward 

 occurrence. When the reception was over, there was a general feeling of satisfaction on the part 

 of every man in the squadron at the successful result. Judged hy the ordinary relations of 

 civilized nations, there was not much ground for congratulation, hut when considered in refer- 

 ence to the exclusive policy of Japan, there was every reason for a proud self-satisfaction on the 

 part of each American who had shared in the event of the day. 



The justice of the Commodore's demand to he received as befitted the envoy of a great nation, 

 was acknowledged in the remarkable document received from the imperial government, and 

 confirmed in the most impressive manner by the proceedings of the day, when two of the chief 



