CAPTAIN ADAMS SENT DOWN TO URAGA. 333 



"In fhe interim we stall talk about the negotiations of commerce and the influence it must 

 exercise upon the well-being of the Japanese and American nations. It is out of the question 

 now. This is all according to truth." 



This document having been laid before the Commodore, he submitted the following answer: 



"The Commodore, for the reasons before given, cannot return to Uraga. His instructions 

 are to receive the answer of the Emperor to the President's letter at Yedo." 



The Japanese having received and perused the answer attentively, conferred with each other, 

 and then promised that it should be submitted to the high officer. Captain Adams now informed 

 them that it was his intention, under orders, to go down to Uraga the next day to declare in 

 person to the high officer what had just been delivered in writing from the Commodore. The 

 Japanese seemed very anxious to know if he would be accompanied by a very large party, and 

 seemed quite tranquilized when told that there would be a few officers only. They promi.sed 

 that a boat should be in readiness, and all other preparations made for the reception. In the 

 course of a general conversation they were told that the following Wednesday would be the 

 anniversary of Washington's birthday, and that a salute would, in consequence, be fired. They 

 seemed perfectly acquainted with the name of the great father of our country, and expressed a 

 desire to participate in celebrating the occasion, asking to be permitted to come ofi" to see the 

 guns fired. They were, of course, politely invited, and requested to bring their ladies with them ; 

 the latter part of the invitation they, however, jeered at as a very amusing but quite an 

 impracticable joke. 



On Tuesday, the 21st day of February, the Japanese boat came alongside the Powhatan, and 

 the officials, on being received aboard, stated tliat they had come to show Captain Adams the 

 landing at Uraga. They were then invited to accompany him on board the Vandalia, which 

 ship immediately set sail, and moved down the bay. Captain Adams was the bearer of the 

 following note from the Commodore to the Japanese authorities : 



"United States Flag-ship Powhatan, 

 ^'American Anchorage, Yedo Bay, February 20, 1854. 



"The undersigned is highly gratified to learn, through the officers of his Majesty who have 

 visited the flag-ship, that the imperial court has come to the conclusion to respond, in the most 

 cordial manner, to the j^ropositions of the President of the United States which the undersigned 

 had the honor to present in July last. 



"Inasmuch as the anchorage at Uraga is unsafe and inconvenient, and considering the great 

 size and value of the steamers composing a part of the command of the undersigned, he does 

 not consider himself justified in removing to that place ; on the contrary, he deems it necessary 

 to seek a more commodious harbor higher up the bay ; and as his instructions direct him to 

 present himself at Yedo, it is desirable that he should approach as near as jjossible to that city, 

 as well for the better convenience of communication as with reference, also, to the arrangement 

 and exhibition of the various presents sent by the President to his Imperial Majesty. 



"As the mission of the undersigned is of a most friendly character, he is not prepared to 

 anticipate any objection to his reception at the seat of government, conformably to the usages 

 of all the nations of Europe and America, and he hopes that when the steamers shall have 

 reached the vicinity of the city, and secured more suitable moorings, he may have the honor of 



