CONTINUED VISITS OF JAPANESE AUTHORITIES. 331 



to Uraga, tliey came on board the Powhatan early the next morning, (February 15.) Commo- 

 dore Perry had suffered since his arrival from a severe indisposition, of which the Japanese 

 had heard, and they now made their visit to inquire, as thoy said, after the *Admirars 

 health. They also stated that they had been instructed to lay off the squadron with their 

 boats, in case tlie Americans had anything to communicate, or desired any supplies. They 

 made an offer to bring off wood, water, or anything else the ships might require ; when 

 they were told that nothing was wanted at present, but jaerhaps some fish, eggs, and vegetables 

 might be acceptable in a few days, and that they would be received provided payment should 

 be taken for them. The Jajianese then replied that their proposed supplies were intended 

 as presents, and that they had no authority to receive money for them. They seemed to be 

 very fearful lest some of the boats should land^ but they were assured that they would not 

 be allowed to do so. Captain Adams, in the course of the conversation, alluded to the report 

 of the death of the Emperor, but was not very explicit in his question, as there seemed to 

 be some doubt of its truth. He merely stated that when the squadron had sailed for Japan 

 he had heard that a high dignitary had died, and asked whether it was true. To which 

 the Japanese answered, "Yes, a very high man died lately." Captain A. — "What was his 

 rank?" Japanese ofiicial. — " He was a prince." It was thus a matter of the greatest difficulty 

 to get at the truth, the Japanese being as indirect and evasive as possible in regard to the 

 simplest matter of fact. 



The Japanese dignitaries repeated their official visits day after day, sailing up in their boats 

 from the long distance of Uraga, and consumed the time with offering the most puerile pretexts 

 for coming, and the length of their negotiations. Now they would express the greatest 

 solicitude about the Commodore's health, and showed their courtesy by bringing him presents 

 of bon-bons and confectionary ; again they would offer provisions and otlier sujiplies ; at another 

 time they would enter into explanations about the Americans going ashore, and on one occasion 

 they brought with them a dozen or more naval buttons which had been thrown into their boats, 

 and which they returned with the most formal ceremony. They always recurred, however, 

 to the question of the vessels going to Uraga, and never ceased persisting in their pertinacious 

 solicitations that the Commodore would remove his squadron there, notwithstanding the direct 

 and resolute refusal with which they were invariably opposed. On their visit on the 18th of 

 February they announced that the high officer had arrived at Uraga, and that they had been 

 sent to request the Commodore to meet him there. Upon being told that it was impossible for 

 the Commodore to go to Uraga, Captain Adams then handed them the following document from 

 the Commodore : 



"United States Steam-frig.\te Powhatan; 

 "American Anchorage, Yedo Bay, February 18, 1854. 



" The Commodore expects to be received at Yedo, agreeably to the customs of all countries. 



" In consideration of the size of our ships, and their great value, he cannot return to the 

 anchorage at Uraga, nor even remain at this place much longer, but will liave to go higher up 

 the bay towards Yedo, where the vessels can be more secure. 



" If the great man (chief commissioner) will appoint an officer of proper rank to meet Captain 

 Adams on shore, near where the ships are now lying, to determine when and where the 

 interview with the Commodore shall take place, he must let us know by noon of Tuesday next. 



* The Japanese officials always spoke of the Commodore as the Admiral, not being acquainted with the former title. 



