BURIAL OF A MARINE AT YOKU-HAMA. 353 



One of the marines belonging to the Mississippi had died two days previous to the conference, 

 and the suitable interment of his body now came up in course of discussion. The Commodore 

 jiroposed to buy a ^ncce of ground -from the Japanese for the burial of the man then lying 

 dead, and for any other American wlio might die. This proposition seemed to perplex the 

 commissioners, and, after some consultation, they retired to discuss the question alone, and, on 

 leaving, invited tlie Commodore and his officers to partake of some refreshments, consisting of 

 saki, fruit and cakes, soups and fish, which were immediately served. This invitation was 

 accepted, with the remark that it would be more consonant with American notions of hospitality 

 if the commissioners were to join the Commodore and his officers, as the breaking of bread 

 together was, in the United States, as among many other nations, considered an evidence of 

 friendship. The Japanese replied that they were unacquainted with foreign customs, but 

 ■would cheerfully join. They then all retired; but, shortly after, the second and third in rank 

 of the number returned and participated socially in the repast that had been served, one of the 

 dignitaries filling a cup of saki at once, drinking it off to the dregs, and, turning it bottom 

 ujjward, remarked that it was a Japanese custom for the host to drink first. 



It was not long before the whole board was again in session, and a written reply to the 

 Commodore's request respecting the burial of the marine presented by the chief commissioner, 

 and to the purport that, as a temple had been set apart at Nagasaki for the interment of 

 strangers, it would be necessary to send the body to Uraga, whence, at a convenient season, it 

 might be conveyed in a Japanese junk to the former j^lace. To this the Commodore objected 

 that undisturbed resting places were granted by all nations, and then proposed to send boats 

 and inter the body at "Webster island. "Webster island, as it is named on the American charts, 

 is a small island lying convenient to the "American anchorage;" and the Commodore had 

 determined, if the Japanese had j)ersisted in forbidding the interment within any of their 

 numerous burial jilaces, to have effected it at all hazards upon that island, being perfectly 

 satisfied that the Jajianese respect for the dead would leave the body undisturbed. The 

 commissioners evinced strong objections to the choice of the spot, and, after considerable 

 discussion among themselves, finally consented to allow the burial to take place at Yoku-hama, 

 at a place adjoining one of their temples, and in view of the squadi-on. They observed, 

 however, that, as the novelty of the scene might attract an inconvenient crowd, the authorities 

 would send on board the Mississippi, in the morning, an officer to accompany tlie funeral T)arty. 

 The Commodore now prepared to depart, having first stated that he would be happy to see 

 the Japanese dignitaries on board his vessel as soon as the weather should become warmer. 

 They expressed courteously the pleasure they would have in accepting the invitation and 

 bowing, retired. The subordinate American officers had been entertained with refreshments in 

 the large outer hall during the conference, and amused with the rude efforts of Japanese artists 

 who had been sent from Yedo, at delineating their portraits. The Commodore now passed out 

 followed by his suite and the procession of officers as before, and marching down, to the music 

 of the bands, between the files of marines on either side, embarked in his barge and liuUed for 

 the ship. The other boats soon followed, filled with the numerous officers, sailors, marines and 

 others, who had shared in the ceremonies of the day. 



Early next day, (Thursday, March 9,) as had been arranged, a Japanese official went on 

 board the Mississippi, to accompany the funeral party on shore, for the purpose of pointing out 

 the burial place selected for the interment of the dead marine. At five o'clock in the afternoon 

 45 J 



