276 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN, 



" Thank tlie mayor for the kind act of the authorities in putting a tomhstone over the remains 

 of the hoy huried from the Susquehanna, and ask the privilege of paying the cost of the same." 

 " Eequire prompt and early replies to all these propositions and demands." 

 The Commodore, in addition to these instructions hy which Commander Adams was to he 

 governed in his interview, sent a formal communication to the regent, in these words : 



"To his Excellency the Tsimcj-U-kivan of the Kinrjdom of Lew Cheio: 



"Sir: The commander-in-chief of the United States naval forces in the East India, China, 

 and Japan seas, having returned to this port from Japan, is ahout sailing for China, and hefore 

 leaving is desirous of communicating to his excellency the Tsung-li-kwan a few ohservations, 

 having reference to the intercourse of persons under his command with the authoidties and people 

 of Lew Chew. 



"The commander-in-chief, while he thanks the officers of the Lew Cliewan government for 

 the services which they have already rendered in furnishing a few supplies to the ships of the 

 squadron, cannot see the necessity of enforcing against strangers a system of restriction which is 

 altogether at variance with the customs and practices of all civilized nations, and which cannot 

 at the present day he recognized as just or jn-oper. 



" The commander-in-chief is especially desirous of remaining on the most friendly terms with 

 the government of Lew Chew, and of contrihuting all in his power to the prosperity and happi- 

 ness of the people ; and he claims that the officers and men under his command shall he received 

 on the same footing as those who arrive from China and Japan ; that they shall have the privilege 

 of purchasing in the market and shops whatever they may need, and for which they will pay the 

 jjrices demanded hy the sellers ; that the inhabitants, particularly the women and children, shall 

 not fly from us as if we were their greatest enemies ; and, finally, that our officers and men shall 

 not he watched and followed hy low officials and spies. He declares that if this systen of 

 espionage is persisted in, he will on his return to Lew Chew take the necessary steps to stop it. 



"It is repugnant to the American character to suhmit to such a course of inhospitahle dis- 

 courtesy, and though the citizens of the United States, when ahroad, are always regardful of, 

 and obedient to, the laws of the countries in which they may happen to be, provided they are 

 founded upon international courtesy, yet they never can admit of the propriety or justice of 

 those of Lew Chew, which bear so injuriously upon the rights and comforts of strangers 

 resorting to the island with the most friendly and peaceful intentions. 

 " With the highest consideration, 



"M. C. PERKY, 

 ' ' Commander-in-Chief of the United States Naval Forces, 



"in the East India, China, and Japan Seas." 



Upon Commander Adams laying the propositions of the Commodore before the mayor of 

 Napha, he was told by that official that he cotdd do nothing of his own accord, and was obliged 

 to refer all the demands of the Americans to the Tsung-li-kwan, or regent of Lew Chew, as 

 his own powers were entirely subordinate to those of that high dignitary. Captain Adams 

 then told the mayor that he must inform the regent that the Commodore desired to have an 

 interview with him, either the next day or the day after, at any hour or place he, the regent, 

 mio-ht appoint ; and, moreover, that his excellency must come prepared to answer, unequivo- 



