472 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



" In reply to your request for a list of all tlie ships wMcli liave been wrecked in Japan for 

 the last ten years, we have the honor to state as follows : 



"In 1847, some Americans, shipwrecked in the principality of Matsmai, were sent to 

 Nagasaki to take passage in the Dutch trading ships. 



"In 1848, some Americans, shipwrecked in the same principality, were sent to Nagasaki, 

 and thence taken away by an American ship-of-war. [This was the Preble.] 



"In the year 1850, some Americans and Englishmen, shipwrecked, were sent to Nagasaki, 

 to go in the Dutch trading shijis. 



" Beside the three instances just mentioned, there has been no shipwreck, and there are no 

 foreigners now in Japan. Tlie local authorities having settled this business, we are not able to 

 give you the names of the shipwrecked persons. 



" We have the honor to be, with great respect, 



" BY THE IMPERIAL COMMISSIONERS. 



" Seal attached by order of the high gentlemen. 



"MORYAMA YENOSKE." 



On the morning of the 31st of May the Macedonian sailed for Simoda, and the Vandalia for 

 Shanghai, the latter vessel being directed by the Commodore to take the western passage by 

 passing through the Straits of Sangar, the Japan sea, and China gulf. The steamers still 

 remained at Hakodadi to await the arrival of those personages whom the commissioners had 

 promised to send there to meet the Americans and settle the stipulations of the treaty in regard 

 to that place. The Commodore was naturally somewhat impatient at the delay in the coming 

 of the expected delegation, as, in accordance with his agreement to that effect, he was obliged to 

 return to Simoda on the 15th day of June, and the last day of the previous month had now 

 passed. On the morning of the 1st of June, however, a communication was received by the 

 Commodore, written in Japanese, Chinese, and Dutch, of which the following is an English 

 translation : 



" The Japanese imperial government officers, Amma Zhium-noshin and Hirayama Kenzhiro, 

 and others, desire a conference with his excellency the plenipotentiary of the United States and 

 other officers. 



" They have received orders from the court to go to Karafto, and, learning that your ships 

 were at Hakodadi examining its harbor, in accordance with the treaty of Kanagawa, have come, 

 as these distant frontier places are not fully apprized of all these matters, and perhaps there 

 may be some mistake or misapprehension. We have requested of our superior officer presently 

 to come and deliberate upon such matters as may come up, as was done at Yoku-hama ; but he 

 has taken a passage by sea, and has already gone on to Karafto. We are unable, therefore, to 

 tarry behind him for more than three days in order to confer with your honor. 



" We wish you much peace." 



This was not very explicit, but it seemed apparent that, although these dignitaries affected, 

 in their letter, merely to have called, as it were, in passing, they were delegated by the 

 government to make the visit. In accordance, however, with the indirect policy of Japanese 

 diplomacy, it was deemed expedient to make use of a subterfuge, by which the intention of the 

 government, of deferring all negotiation until the meeting of the commissioners, might be 

 accomplished and yet concealed, for fear of offending the sensibilities of the Americans by this 



