266 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



dashed up alongside the steamer. Tezaimen and his companions hurried up the companion 

 way, and were evidently much ruffled, and in a state of great anxiety. They were at once 

 ushered into the cabin, where they were received as usual by the captains, who were coolly 

 prepared to listen to what they had to say. Tatznoske at once burst out with the question, 

 " Why do your ships anchor here ?" He was answered that as they had been already informed 

 by the Commodore, the ships had advanced up the bay in order to obtain a more secure 

 anchorage. The interpreter then stated that that part of the Japanese waters had always been 

 hitherto respected by strangers, and that the squadron must not go any further. He then 

 asted whether the Commodore intended to go beyond, and if not, how long he intended to 

 remain where he then was ? He was told that the Commodore intended to remain three or 

 four days longer for the purpose of finding out a good anchorage, as he was to return in the 

 ensuing spring with many more shijis and men, and that it was desirable that the most secure 

 place should be found for mooring his vessels, and that for this purpose it was necessary to 

 survey the bay. Uraga had been tried, but it was found insecure, as the water was rough, and 

 the winds occasionally blew there with great force. Upon the interpreter Tatznoske asserting 

 that the Commodore had promised to leave the bay immediately on the reception of the 

 President's letter by the princes, he was reminded that the Commodore had only promised to 

 leave the shore, but had distinctly stated that it was his intention to advance further up the 

 bay with his ships. The interpreter continued by declaring that if the surveying boats should 

 approach any nearer to the land that there would be trouble, as the people were already under 

 considerable excitement from observing the close neighborhood of the strangers. He was then 

 told that there was no need for any anxiety, as the boats should not land, and the Americans 

 would not interfere with the Japanese unless they were first disturbed by them. Yezaimen 

 still persisted through his interpreters upon the squadron leaving, and courteously expressed 

 his assurance that the Japanese government was favorably disposed toward the Americans, 

 and that as the President's letter had been received it would undoubtedly be considered with 

 a favorable disposition. He concluded by expressing the hope that on the next visit of the 

 Commodore he would not advance any further up the bay than Uraga, as that place oifered 

 every convenience for the proposed negotiation. Yezaimen was now assured that the 

 Americans came as friends, and that therefore it was quite unreasonable that any opposition 

 should be made to their ships seeking a suitable anchorage. They were moreover told that it 

 was the custom in the United States to afford every facility to foreigners in that respect, and 

 that if the Japanese came to the United States they would find the navigable waters of 

 the country free to them, and that they would not be debarred even from the rich gold fields of 

 California. 



Yezaimen had nothing more to say, and, whether persuaded or not, had the courtesy to refrain 

 from pushing his demands any further. He and his companions, upon being invited to partake 

 of some refreshments, readily complied, and were soon engaged in discussing with a vigorous 

 appetite the collation that was spread before them. Another government boat was at this 

 juncture announced as being alongside, when immediately the Japanese ofiicials who were on 

 board of it were invited to share in the hospitalities of the cabin. Quite a convivial scene 

 ensued, in the course of which abundant supplies of ham, ship's biscuit, and other stores, 

 washed down by plentiful draughts of whiskey, quickly disappeared. The cheer seemed to be 

 much relished, and the interpreters were so exceedingly delighted that they desired to bear 

 away some substantial mementos of the pleasant feast, and, accordingly, not satisfied with well- 



