304 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



would prefer to have the purport of their conversation put in writing. To this proposition Sir 

 George immediately assented, and the following day he wrote a letter recapitulating what he had 

 already personally stated, to which the Commodore replied.* 



*SuPERiNTENDENCT OF Trade, Hong Kong, December 23, 1853. 

 Sir: With reference to my interview with your excellency, respecting your visit to the Bonin Islands, and to your proposal 

 that I should address you officially on this subject, I have now the honor to enclose, for your information, copy of a letter and 

 its enclosures from a Mr. Simpson, wherein it is stated that you have purchased ground from a resident there for a coal depot, 

 for the use of the government of the United States of America. 



After our conversation yesterday your excellency will, I am sure, clearly understand that it is not my desire nor intention to 

 dispute your right, or that of any otlier person, to purchase land on the Bonin Islands ; but as it is generally understood that this 

 group was some time ago taken possession of in the name of the government of Great Britain, I think it desirable to acquaint 

 your excellency therewith, in an official form, that you may, should you see fit, favor me with an explanation of the circum- 

 Btances referred to by Mr. Simjjson. 



I have the honor to be, sir, your excellency's most obedient humble servant, 



J. G. BONHAM. 

 His Excellency Commodore Perry, United States navy, Sfc, 



United Stales Steamship Susquehanna. 



BEAULEr, Internesshire, October 1, 1853. 

 My Lord: I observe it stated in the public prints that the officer commanding the United States Japan expedition had 

 touched at the Bonin group — that he had made purchase from a resident there of land for a government coal depot. 



Permit me to call your lordship's attention to the fact that this group of islands, so advantageously situated for opening up 

 intercourse with Japan, really appertains to Great Britain. 



Having had some connexion with it while acting temporarily for her Majesty's government in the South Seas, its importance 

 was impressed upon my mind; and I respectfully bring under your lordship's notice the particulars which will be found 

 narrated in the enclosure herewith. 



I have, &c., 



ALEX. SIMPSON. 



True copy: 



H. N. LAY. 

 Lord Clarendon, !(c., Sfc, S(c. 



Extract from a pamphlet published by the writer in 1843. 

 THE BONDJ ISLANDS. 



"WoAHOo, Sandwich Islands, December 27, 1842. 



" This small but interesting, and, from its situation, valuable group of islands lies in latitude 27° north, longitude 146° cast, 

 within five hundred miles distance from the city of Jedo, in Japan. 



" It appertains to Great Britain, having been discovered by an English whaling vessel in 1825, and formally taken possession 

 of by Captain Beechey, of her Majesty's ship ' Blossom,' in 1827. There were no aboriginal inhabitants found on the islands, 

 nor any trace that such had ever existed. 



" Their aggregate extent does not exceed two hundred and fifty square miles ; but their geographical position — so near Japan, 

 that mysterious empire, of which the trade will one day be of immense value — ogives them a peculiar importance and interest. 

 Tlie climate is excellent, the soil rich and productive, and there is an admirable harbor, well fitted for the port of a com- 

 mercial city. 



" The first colonists of this eastern group were two men of the names of Millichamp and Mazarro, who, having expressed to 

 Mr. Charlton, the British consul at the Sandwich Islands, their wish to settle on some uninhabited island in the Pacific ocean, 

 were by him recommended to go to this group, of the discovery and taking possession of which he had been recently informed. 

 They sailed accordingly, in 1830, took with them some Sandwich Island natives as laborers, some live stock and seeds, and 

 landing at Port Lloyd, hoisted an English flag which had been given to them by Mr. Charlton. 



" The little settlement has been visited by several whaling vessels since that period, and also by a vessel from the British 

 China squadron. Mr. Millichamp returned to England, and Mr. Mazarro, anxious to get additional settlers or laborers to join 

 the infant colony, the whole population of which only numbers about twenty, came to the Sandwich Islands in the autumn of 

 1842 in an English whaling vessel. Ho described the little settlement as flourishing, stated that he had hogs and goats in 



