VISIT OF YEZAIMAN. 337 



On the next morning (February 23) the Vandalia was still lying off Uraga, when our old 

 acquaintance, Yezaiman, the governor of Uraga, presented himself. This, it will he remem- 

 hered, was the dignitary who had figured so conspicuously during the first visit of the squadron 

 to the Bay of Yedo. His absence hitherto had created great surprise, and it was naturally feared 

 that his conduct on the previous occasion had not been approved of by his government, and that 

 he had fallen into disgrace, or possibly had been reduced to the disagreeable necessity of disem- 

 bowelling himself. He however explained his long absence on the score of illness, and the im- 

 mense pressure of public business. He expressed great pleasure in seeing his old acquaintances, 

 and proved himself the same affable, courteous gentleman, as on all previous occasions. Yezaiman 

 explained the object of his visit by presenting a letter from himself, in which he informally, as 

 he stated, though undoubtedly with the connivance of the government, repeated the assurances 

 of the friendly disposition of the Emperor, and earnestly solicited Captain Adams to use his 

 influence with the "Admiral" to prevail upon him to concede the point in regard to Uraga. 

 Everything, of course, was referred to Commodore Perry, although the belief was expressed that 

 he would resolutely adhere to his original determination. Yezaiman, having promised that the 

 answer of the high officers to the Commodore's letter should be brought on board the next day, 

 took his departure. 



Accordinglv early the next morning (February 24) the Japanese,, having brought the dispatch 

 in answer to the Commodore's letter, and having taken the occasion of urging their views about 

 Uraga, for their first and last word was perpetually Uraga ! Uraga ! the Vandalia got under 

 way to join the squadron at the American anchorage. The ship, however, had not proceeded 

 far, when the steamers and sailing vessels were observed in the distance ahead, standing up 

 the bay. 



The Commodore, having little hope of any favorable result from the visit of Captain Adams to 

 Uraga, had determined to put his threat into execution, and had actually removed the squadron, 

 during the absence of the Vandalia, to a spot whence Yedo might be seen from the masthead. 

 So near, indeed, did he approach to that capital, that the striking of the city bells during the 

 night could be distinctly heard. As a measure of precaution, the surveying boats always 

 sounded in advance of the ships, and when the Vandalia was seen to approach with Captain 

 Adams on board, bearing the dispatch of the high officers at Uraga, the surveying party was 

 absent engaged in further explorations toward Yedo. Next morning (February 25) wbile the 

 squadron was anchored oif the town of Kanagawa, one of the Vandalia's boats arrived, and came 

 alongside the flagshijj, bringing Captain Adams, who handed the Commodore the following 

 letter from the high officer : 



" To Admiral 31. C. Perry : 



"The undersigned, ambassadors of the Emperor of Japan, have perused and understood the 

 letter of the Lord Admiral, and in reply may remark : 



" The Lord Admiral is right in going up to Yedo, to be received there according to the custom 

 in Europe and America. According to the Japanese custom ambassadors are commissioned, 

 and a building erected, for the reception of ambassadors from foreign countries in a friendly 

 manner and with high consideration. 



" The Emperor has sent us to Uraga to receive the Admiral with the highest honor, and to 



extend the Japanese hospitality towards him, and have the interview at that place in compliance 



with the order of the Emperor, regardless of the customs of foreign countries 

 43 J 



