468 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



himself, he had delegated his highest officer to meet the Commodore as his substitute, who was 

 ready to put the treaty in operation. It was, however^ added, that the Americans were asking 

 for some things not specified, inasmuch as the treaty was not to go into effect before the lapse of 

 a year from its date. It was then explained to the Japanese, that this condition had reference 

 to merchant vessels, hut that the Commodore liad made subsequent arrangements with the high 

 commissioners aibout his present visit,-the objects of which he was now desirous of accomplishing 

 if Kangsayu had full powers to act in the matter. This dignitary then answered that he was 

 clothed with complete local authority, but that neither he nor his prince could settle the. 

 boundary within which American intercourse was to be restricted without instructions from the 

 court at Yedo. 



The wind now commenced blowing very hard, and the bay was so rough that the Japanese 

 preferred remaining for some time on board the Mississippi, where they were handsomely 

 entertained and shown all the points and novelties of the steamer. After a long stay, in the 

 course of which the Japanese were evidently gratified by all they saw (manifesting therein their 

 usual intelligent interest) and by the attentions they received, they returned to the shore. 



On the next day the Southampton was dispatched by the Commodore to make a survey of 

 Volcano Bay, including Endermo harbor, about seventy miles from Hakodadi, at the south- 

 eastern end of Yesso ; and it may be here appropriate, though somewhat anticipating the 

 chronological order of events, to dispose of this part of our story, by giving a general report of 

 the result of the survey. The ship arrived off the southern promontory of Volcano Bay at five 

 o'clock on the afternoon of the day of her departure from Hakodadi. The wind soon lulled to a 

 dead calm, and the bay was not entered until the next morning. The weather being very 

 thick the ship bore away for the harbor of Endermo, and shortly after noon made the land 

 ahead, which, being approached to within two miles, was coasted in ten fathoms of water, 

 taking care to keep off when shoaling in that depth. The fog was so thick, and the breakers 

 were so far off the shore, that it was not deemed prudent to approach too near the land ; and, 

 consequently,' the entrance to the harbor of Endermo, which is quite narrow and shut in by 

 adjacent points, could not be seen. Its position, however, having been passed, and the ship 

 continuing to run along the land by the lead until seven o'clock in the evening, came then to 

 anchor in front of a small village. As the night advanced the atmosphere cleared, for a 

 moment, sufficiently to allow of the sight of several junks anchored near a large town about 

 three miles distant. The fog soon gathered again and continued so thick all the rest of that 

 night and the next day, with fresh breezes from E.S.E., that it was deemed more prudent to 

 remain at anchor, and the ship did not again get under way until the 2'7th of May. 



At sunrise on that day, the fog having partly dispersed, the Southampton stood for the 

 eastern coast, sounding with a boat in five fathoms to within a mile and a half of the shore, 

 and also running a line of soundings in the ship. As the morning advanced the fog cleared off, 

 and revealed to view a charming scene of picturesque beauty. The land rose from the sandy 

 beach in undulating heights, covered with trees of dark green foliage, interspersed here and 

 there with yellow spots of culture, while innumerable houses were seen everywhere grouped at 

 the openings of the ravines toward the sea, into whicli streams of fresh water poured, after 

 irrio-atino- the cultivated fields on the hill sides and the fertile bottoms of the valleys, and 

 passing through the villages. 



The meridian observation having been taken, which gave the latitude 42° 17', the ship, 



