282 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



began to improve in this particular, and it was found that some from the ships had paid at least 

 double the sum paid by others for a similar article. The objects obtained were of not miich 

 importance, but the chief interest of the occasion arose from the fact that this dealing with 

 foreigners was the 'first aiithorized, and was in direct opposition to a fundamental law of the 

 island, the abrogation of which cannot but result in the greatest advantage to the peoi^le of Lew 

 Chew. The signal of departure being hoisted, the party of purchasers returned to their respective 

 ships, and at 8 o'clock in the morning (August 1) the Commodore started for Hong Kong. 



So prompt had been the effect of the Commodore's resolute demands upon the authorities of 

 Lew Chew, that on the day of sailing, the building for the storage of coal, commenced only two 

 days previous, had been framed and reared, and it was learned afterward that it was entirely 

 finished in two days more. The building is 50 by 60 feet in dimensions, with a water-tight 

 thatched roof, with the eaves projecting beyond the sides, which are boarded up more than half 

 the distance from the ground to the roof, leaving an open space sufficient for purposes of ventila- 

 tion. It was originally of sufficient capacity to hold 500 tons of coal, and the first cargo placed 

 in it was that of the Caprice, wliich arrived soon after the departure of the Commodore. Subse- 

 quently, the Southampton landed her cargo, shipped at Macao, when it was thought advisable 

 to enlarge the depot, and accordingly the authorities added a wing to each side. 



The Commodore, conceiving it to be of the highest importance that a ship of the squadron 

 should be stationed almost constantly at Lew Chew, to keep alive the fi-iendly interest and good 

 feeling then subsisting between the Americans and the islanders, who were becoming daily more 

 cordial, he determined to leave the Plymouth, Commander Kelly, there. He, however, instructed 

 this officer to run over to the Benin islands, after the termination of the hurricane season, for the 

 purpose both of visiting the settlement at Port Lloyd and of surveying the southern cluster of 

 the Bonins, originally called the Coffin islands, after the first American discoverer in 1823, 

 though, as we have stated before, subsequently appropriated and named by the English Captain 

 Beechy, the Baily group. 



The instructions of the Commodore to Commander Kelly referred generally to the conciliatory 

 biit firm attitude he desired should be sustained in all the relations of the Americans with the 

 Lew Chewans. It was strictly enjoined upon Captain Kelly that he should receive nothing from 

 the islanders without returning a fair compensation, and always bear himself towards them in 

 siich manner as to prove that it was the desire of the United States to cultivate their friendship 

 and secure their confidence. The Commodore, in addition to some detailed instructions in regard 

 to the construction of the coal depot and landing tlie cargoes from the expected storeships, directed 

 that, in his absence, the survey of Melville harbor and the coast of the island should be made, 

 the investigations already commenced in the waters of Napha be continued, and a boat and officer 

 kept in readiness to pilot in any of the American squadron that might arrive. 



In regard to Captain Kelly's visit to the Benin Islands, he was instructed to proceed with the 

 Plymouth, after the hurricane season, about the 1st of October, provided nothing occurred to 

 detain him at Lew Chew, to Port Lloyd, where he was to enquire into the condition of the 

 settlers, especially with respect to Nathaniel Savory and John Smith, two persons who had been 

 enrolled on the books of the steamer Susquehanna. He was also directed, after obtaining the 

 services of some of the settlers at Port Lloyd as guides or pilots, to visit the group of islands 

 lying south of Peel Island, and named on Beechy's chart Baily's group. Captain Kelly was 

 then to lay out a chart, giving the result of his survey, and to be careful to give the name of 



