EXCITEMENT CAUSED BY CHAPLAIN BITTINGER. 359 



anxious to try bis skill at drawiiif:^, and they were constantly taking tlie portraits of the 

 Americans, and sketches of the various articles that appeared curious to them, with a result, which, 

 however satisfactory it might have been to the artists, (and it must be conceded they exhibited 

 no little exultation,) was far from showing any encouraging advance in art. It should, however, 

 be remarked, that the artists were not professional. Our future pages will show more artistic 

 skill than the rude specimens here allud.eato would have led one to suppose existed in Japan. 

 The Japanese are, undoubtedly, like the Chinese, a very imitative, adaptative, and compliant 

 people, and in these characteristics may be discovered a promise of the comiDaratively easy 

 introduction of foreign customs and habits, if not of the nobler princii)les and better life of a 

 higher civilization. \^ 



Notwithstanding the Japanese are so fond of indulging their curiosity, they are by no means 

 communicative about themselves. They allege, as a reason for their provoking reserve, that 

 their laws forbid them to communicate to foreigners anything relating to their country and its 

 institutions, habits, and customs. This silence on the part of the Japanese was a serious 

 obstacle to acquiring that minute information about a strange people of whom curiosity is 

 naturally on the alert to know everything. Much progress will, however, never be obtained 

 toward a thorough knowledge of Japan, until some of our men of intelligence are established 

 in the country in the character of consular agents, merchants, or missionaries, who may thus 

 be enabled to acquire the language and mingle in intimate social relations with the people. 



The common people were found much more disposed to fraternize than were the Japanese 

 officials. It seemed evident that nothing but a fear of punishment deterred the former from 

 entering into free intercourse with the Americans ; but they were closely watched by their 

 superiors, as in fact the latter were by their equals. 



In Japan, as in Lew Chew, probably, a closer intimacy would have ensued, during the visits 

 of the squadron, with all classes, if they had been allowed to follow their own natural inclina- 

 tions, and had not been so jealously guarded by the numerous spies. No one, even of the 

 highest dignitaries, is entrusted with imblic business of importance, without having one or more 

 associated with him, who is ever on the alert to detect and take note of the slightest suspicion 

 of delinquency. 



Kura-Kawa-Kahei, the prefect, and Yenoske, the interpreter, paid almost daily visits to the 

 ships, and had always something to communicate in regard to the supplying of the vessels with 

 water and fresh provisions, the arrangements for which were imder their especial care. When 

 they came on board, as they were subordinate dignitaries, they were not received by the 

 Commodore himself, but by some of his chief officers, who were delegated for the purpose, and 

 acted as his medium of communication with them. After one of these interviews, (March 14,) 

 as Kura-Kawa and Yenoske were about taking leave, a Japanese official hurried aboard from 

 Kanagawa, and, in a state of considerable excitement, reported that an American officer had 

 passed through that town, and was walking very fast toward Yedo. His appearance, so said the 

 messenger, was causing great excitement, and it was feared that unpleasant consequences might 

 ensue. The Japanese officials, on hearing this, declared that the conduct of the American 

 officer was in violation of their laws and of the promises made to them by the Admiral. The 

 Commodore, when informed of the fact, directed guns to be fired immediately, and a signal 

 made recalling all boats and officers to their respective ships. He also prepared written orders, 

 which were sent in different directions, commanding all persons belonging to the squadron to 



