342 



EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



a moment tlie tedium of their life. The Saratoga had experienced very severe weather, which 

 those in the squadron, although sheltered in a safe anchorage, could readily understand, for the 

 season, even in the bay, had given evidence enough of its rude inclemency. Frequently the 

 wind was so high and the waters of the bay so disturbed, that the surveying boats were obliged 

 to intermit their labors. The frequent recurrence of rain, alternating with an occasional snow- 

 storm, and a cold temperature more penetrating to the sensations, from its moisture, gave all a 

 very disagreeable experience of a Jajian winter. The hard-working Japanese boatmen seemed 

 alone insensible to the weather, and, as they worked vigorously at their long sculls, sung 

 cheerily, as if their half-naked bodies were as much proof against cold wind and boisterous 

 weather, as their tight built craft. 



According to agreement, Sam Patch was brought forward and presented to the Japanese 

 officials, and no sooner did he behold these dignitaries than he prostrated himself at once, 

 apparently completely awe-stricken. Sam had been frequently laughed at during the voyage 

 by his messmates, and teazed by statements of the danger to which his head would be exposed 

 on his arrival in his own country, and the poor fellow possibly thought his last hour had come. 

 Captain Adams ordered him to rise from his knees, upon which he was crouching with the 

 most abject fear and trembling in every limb. He was reminded that he was on board an 

 American man-of-war, perfectly safe as one of her crew, and had nothing to fear ; but it being 

 found impossible to reassure him while in the presence of his countrymen, he was soon 

 dismissed. But more of Sam hereafter. 



The eighth of March had been appointed by the Commodore as the day for the conference 

 ashore ; and, as crowds of Japanese laborers kept busily at work upon the building, there seemed 

 every prospect of its being ready in time. When the building was finished, the usual Japanese 

 deputation, headed by Yezaiman, came off to the Powhatan, and, announcing the fact, asked if 

 the Admiral would be ready to land on the next day, (March 8.) They were told that, provided 

 the weather should be suitable, the Commodore and his party would leave the squadron at twelve 

 o'clock on the morrow. Yezaiman entered mto some preliminary explanations in regard to the 

 ceremonies on the occasion. He asked the number and names of all the officers in the squadron, 

 with the purpose, as he said, of providing presents for each. Upon being asked whether the 

 chief of the commissioners appointed to negotiate with the Commodore was next in rank to the 

 Emperor, Yezaiman answered that he was, and at the same time corrected a previous statement 

 saying that, instead of four dignitaries in addition to the high commissioner, there would be 

 five. With the usual courtly assurances of kindly feeling, Yezaiman and his suite took 

 leave, saying, as he departed, that he would send a person on board next day to conduct the 

 Commodore and his party to the land. 



Yoku-hama, Bay of Yedo. 



