336 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



ing one of the ships which had hecome leaky. He also emphatically declared that it was quite 

 impossihle for the Commodore to come to Uraga, hut that he would be very happy to send one 

 of his steamers to convey the prince up the hay to a place of meeting, near the anchorage of 

 the American ships. 



The prince and his two coadjutors now retired to consider the Commodore's letter. In the 

 meantime refreshments were presented, consisting of tea, of a cake resembling our sj)onge cake, 

 candy, various fruits, and their saki. 



A general conversation ensued in regard to the building which the Japanese said had been 

 especially constructed for the meeting with the Commodore, the depth of the harbor, and other 

 points of no material interest. 



The Japanese interpreters, in answer to the objections urged against the security of the port 

 of Uraga, insisted that it was perfectly safe, and requested Captain Adams to make a survey of 

 it, in order to convince himself; and again and again earnestly urged upon him to entreat the 

 Commodore to bring his ships there, and meet the Japanese high officers, who had been appointed 

 to treat with him ; saying that if he would come the whole treaty might be arranged before night. 

 Captain Adams, in answer, said that he would inform the Commodore, when the conversation 

 was interrupted by the reappearance of the three Japanese high dignitaries. Upon entering 

 they announced that they had carefully perused the Commodore's letter three or four times, but 

 were not prepared to give an answer, as they would be obliged to consult the other high officers 

 appointed by the Emperor, and who were now in waiting at Uraga. On being asked when the 

 answer would be ready, they appointed the third day after the interview. Captain Adams 

 strove to impress iipon them the necessity of dispatch, in consequence of the insecurity of the 

 ship in the prevailing stormy weather at Uraga, and of explicitness in their answer, as the 

 Commodore was anxious to bring matters to a conclusion, and to send to America one of his 

 ships to report progress in the negotiations, and prevent others from coming out. The confer- 

 ence now being at an end, the prince and his coadjutors bowed politely and retired. 



The weather being stormy and the water in the bay very rough, the American officers delayed 

 their return to the Vandalia, and occupied the interval in strolling about and viewing the neigh- 

 borhood. Hardly anything could be seen, however, of the town and the people, as the Japanese 

 authorities had, in accordance with their usual custom, hemmed in the shore, on both sides of 

 the audience hall, with cotton screens of some eight feet in height, which excluded the houses 

 from the sight of the strangers. Crowds of men, women, and children could be observed, how- 

 ever, in the distance, thronging upon the surrounding hills, and gazing eagerly at the Americans. 

 When the storm had somewhat abated. Captain Adams and his party, having been presented, 

 in accordance with Japanese practice, with paper parcels containing the remains of the refresh- 

 ments which had been left upon their plates or salvers, returned to their ship lying off the 

 harbor. Some went back in the Vandalia' s boats, while others accepted the offers of the 

 Japanese officials, and put off in their craft. The superior excellence of the Japanese boats, in 

 a sea, was admirably proved, by the fact that those on board of them reached the ship 

 with dry jackets while the others were wet through and through by the dashing spray. The 

 use of the scull instead of the oar, may partially account for this advantage of the Japanese 

 boats, although their construction has something to do with it. The sculls never leave the 

 water, while the oars are constantly in and out, dipping up considerable spray, which at every 

 stroke is blown, in case of a high wind, all over the persons in a boat of our usual construction. 



