INTERVIEW WITH THE REGENT. 2Y7 



cally and without discussion, the propositions just presented. To this the mayor replied tliat 

 the regent woukl he immediately notified, and that the Commodore should he informed as to the 

 time and place of meeting. 



Next morning, Lieutenant Contee, the Commodore's aid, was sent ashore to call upon the 

 mayor of Napha, from whom he learned that the regent had appointed the ensuing day, (Friday, 

 July 28,) and the Kung-c|ua at Napha, as the time and place for the interview. 



Accordingly, on Friday the interview came ofi", and its details are minutely given in the 

 following report, prepared hy a suhordinate officer appointed for that special service : 



"By previous arrangement, two o'clock, p. m., had heen fixed upon as the hour for the 

 interview, and the regent had sent word that he would leave Shui at noon. About half-past 

 one, however, a boat came ofi" to the Susquehanna with the Pe-ching, Chang-yuen, on board, to 

 inform the Commodore that everything was in readiness for his reception, and the regent 

 already in waiting. The place selected for the purpose was the Kung-qua of Napha, which is 

 used on all oflicial occasions. The Commodore went ashore at two o'clock, accompanied by 

 CajJtain Adams, captain of the fleet, Lieutenant Contee, flag lieutenant. Captain Lee, of the 

 Mississippi, Captain Kelly, of the Plymouth, and twelve other officers, making a staff of sixteen 

 persons. 



" On landing he was received hy a deputation of officers, headed hy the Pe-ching, and con- 

 ducted to the place of reception, which is situated on the main street or road leading from 

 Napha to Shui, and about a quarter of a mile from the beach. It is a small but neat building, 

 surrounded by a high wall, which screens it from all observation from without. The mayor of 

 Napha, with some of his attendant officers, stood at the entrance, and the regent advanced to 

 the door of the enclosure to receive the Commodore. Within the building, tables were already 

 prepared for a collation, similar to that given at Shui hy the former regent, though not on so 

 extensive a scale. The feast was arranged in precisely the same manner, the Commodore and 

 Captain Adams occupying the first table on the right hand, while the regent and mayor took 

 that on the left, opposite to him. After tea had been brought, the regent made a com- 

 plimentary remark to the Commodore, hojiing that he had returned in good health. Ichirazichi 

 acted as interpreter, and the conversation was carried on hy Mr. Williams, through the medium 

 of the Chinese language. 



" The Commodore stated that he would leave in a few days for China, but should return 

 again to Lew Chew in a few months. Before he left, however, he wished to have a settlement 

 of all those matters concerning which he had addressed them. His demands were reasonable 

 and proper, and he expected that they would be complied with. The Americans were persons 

 of few words, hut they always meant what they said. The regent answered that his reply 

 would soon be ready, and invited the Commodore, in the meanwhile, to partake of some 

 refreshments. He was answered that we preferred business first and the refreshments after- 

 wards. The requests made were fair and simple, and the Commodore was dissatisfied with any 

 delay in granting them. We had been to Japan, where we had been received in a very friendly 

 manner. We had exchanged presents with Japanese governors, and were on friendly terms 

 with the Japanese. We hoped, now, to be on friendly terms also with the Lew Chewans. Mr. 

 Williams then, at the Commodore's request, gave a brief narration of his recepticm by the 

 princes of Idzu and Iwami, and of our exploration and survey of the haj- of Yedo. The regent 

 observed, in return, that his reply would be very soon delivered. 



