322 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



to express the wish of the government of Japan that the American squadron would not return 

 to the Bay of Yedo at the time fixed by Commodore Perry, lest his presence might create con- 

 fusion. The Commodore answered the communication of the governor general of Dutch India 

 with the usual formal expression of regret at the event of the Emperor's death, and added that 

 he hoped the present rulers of Japan were so well satisfied of the intentions of the President of 

 the United States, as stated in his letter, that they would not be disposed to throw any serious 

 obstacles in the way of accomplishing friendly relations between the American nation and the 

 Japanese.* 



The Commodore had previously heard, through the officers of the Russian squadron, of the 

 reported death of the Emperor of Japan, and that similar reasons to those set forth in the com- 

 munication of the Dutch governor general had been assigned to the Russian admiral for not 



* [Translation.] 



BuETENZORG, December 23, 1853. 



Mr. Commodore : The Dutch ship " Hendrika," master Admiral, which sailed for Japan in July last, has returned to Batavia 

 on the 15th instant. 



She brings intelligence from the superintendent of our factory there, up to November 15, 1853, and information of the death 

 of the Emperor of Japan, soon after receiving the letter of the President of the United States. 



The Japanese government has requested the Dutch superintendent to communicate to the American government : That this 

 event, according to Japanese laws and customs, makes necessary the performance of many and continuing ceremonies of 

 mourning, and e.\tensive arrangements with respect to the succession to the throne ; that during the period of mourning no 

 business of any importance can be transacted ; that the letter of the President of the United States can only be taken into 

 deliberation when the time of mourning is over ; that previous thereto, the opinions upon the subject have to be obtained from 

 all the governors (lords) in Japan ; that for that purpose the governors have to repair to Yedo in succession, (one after tha 

 other ;) tliat all tliat will take much time. 



The Japanese authorilies have repeatedly requested the superintendent of our factory that he would inform the American 

 government of the wish of the Japanese government not to let the American squadron return to Japan at the time fixed upon 

 by your excellency, for fear tliat under the circumstances created l)y the decease of the Emperor, and from the several and 

 unavoidable conferences with the Japanese authorities, and of those authorities among themselves, the American squadron 

 might create broil, (confusion,) as the Japanese authorities e.xpre5S themselves. 



I believe it not necessary to go beyond informing your excellency of this wish of the Japanese government, to be filed with 

 my letter of September 22, 185-2, (No. 134.) 



With great respect, I have the honor to be, your excellency's obedient servant, 



DUYMAER VAN TWIST, 

 Governor General o/A'etherlands, India. 



By order of his excellency the governor general : 



A. PRINS, Chi^ Secretary 



His Excellency Commodore Pf.rrt, 



Commandant of the United States squadron, destined for Japan. 



United States Steam Frigate Susquehanna, 



A'«;)fta, Leic Chew, January 23, 1854. 

 Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter of your excellency of the 23d ultimo, informing me of a com- 

 munication you had received from the superintendent of the factory at Dezima, announcing the death of the Emperor of Japan, 

 and detailing the consequences that would result from this event m retarding the progress of the mission with which I have 

 been charged. 



Allow me to thank your excellency for the trouble you have taken in conveying to me this sad intelligence. I trust, however, 

 that the present rulers of Japan have become so well satisfied of the intentions of the President in suggesting the propositions 

 which I have had the honor of presenting, that they will not be disposed to throw any serious obstacles in the way of a friendly 

 understanding between the two nations. 



With great respect, I have the honor to be, your most obedient servant, 



M. C. PERRY, 

 Commander-in-chief United States naval forces, East Indies, China, and Japan Seas. 

 His Excellency Dutmaer Van Twist, 



Governor General of the JsTetherlands, India. 



