SUPPLIES OF COAL, ETC. 



341 



in them discussed. Yezaiman, in accordance with the request of the Commodore, suhmitted the 

 names and credentials of the high commissioners who were to represent the government of Japan 

 at the approaching conference. The following is a translation of the letter of credence of the 

 imperial officers : 



Hatashi DAiGAKU-NO-KAim, Ido-Tsus-sima-no-kami, IzawaMema-saki-no-kami, UdonoMimbusco: 



You are hereby empowered to hold interviews with his excellency the American ambassador 

 on his arrival, and to negotiate concerning the business which has been communicated to you. 

 SiOGOOTS. KA-EI-SILSI-NEU. [seal of the ejiperor.] 



Yezaiman having said, that now as his government knew the Americans better, and had entire 

 confidence in them, there would be no Japanese soldiers brought out at the coming interview at 

 Yoku-hama, as before at Gora-hama, he was assured that the guard that would accompany the 

 Commodore was only intended to do honor to the occasion. A conversation then endued which, 

 as it refers to the important subject of the resources of Japan, in regard to coal and other sup- 

 plies, is thought of sufficient importance to give verbatim, as reported by the Commodore's 

 secretary. Captain Adams, it will be observed, was still acting in behalf of Commodore Perry, 

 as the latter continued his policy of seclusion. 



Yezaiman (having first alluded to the fact of the President's letter stating that coal would be 

 probably wanted by American steamers touching on the coast of Japan) asked, "How much 

 shall you need annually?" 



Captain Adams. "It is quite impossible now to say what amount will be needed; ships will 

 call and get what they want. The Commodore, however, will speak on this point with the 

 commissioners. ' ' 



Yezaiman. "We have plenty of coal, but a port is asked for to get it from — that is, a port 

 where a ship can take it in conveniently." 



Captain Adams. "Yes: a port lying along the southern shores of Nippon would be most 

 convenient, but the Commodore will arrange that. Where is the best coal found?" 



Yezaiman. "The most abundant supply and the best coal come from Kiusiu. I do not know 

 how much there is in Nippon, but there is none in Sikok." Yezaiman then changed the subject 

 by asking, "What sort of provisions do you want? We have the greatest abundance of wheat 

 and vegetables at Nagasaki." 



Captain Adams. "Our ships will only take such supplies as you can furnish." 



Yezaiman. " Our principal supplies are pork, beef, sheep, poultry, and vegetables of many 

 kinds, but no Irish potatoes."* 



Captain Adams. "Did you give the Kussians any coal?" 



Yezaiman. "Yes; a little from time to time, and they said it was very good." Yezaiman 

 then promised to bring a specimen of their coal, which he said was a fuel seldom used by the 

 Japanese. 



The arrival of the Saratoga, on the fourth of March, was quite an event to all the oflficers and 

 men in the squadron, who, confined to the narrow limits of an anchored shiji, month after 

 month, with no variety in the daily routine of duty, and no change of scene from the mono- 

 tonous view of the same look-out from deck, gladly welcomed anything that could break up for 



* Yeziiraan means at Nagasaki, where limited supplies of these articles are kept for strangers. The Japanese, in general, do 



not use the meats here named. 



