CONFErvENCE AT HAKODADI, 473 



change in the original arrangement. The flag-lieutenant, Mr. Bent, was sent by the Com- 

 modore to meet the Japanese delegates, and inform them that they would be received on board 

 the Powhatan at any time they might appoint. One o'clock was accordingly named, and at 

 that hour the boat was sent ashore to receive the Japanese officials and bring them to the ship. 

 On the flag-lieutenant's arriving at the government house and sending word that he was in 

 waiting to conduct the deputies to the Commodore, he was told that these gentlemen were at 

 luncheon. After a due exercise of patience for more than an hour, the chief deputy and two of 

 his suite presented themselves, and very deliberately, instead of proceeding to the boat, took 

 their seats in the custom-house, and leisurely refreshed themselves with tea and jiipes. The 

 flag-lieutenant very courteously reminded them that it was time to go, but these dignitaries, 

 with the greatest self-composure imaginable, continued to sip their tea and smoke their pipes, 

 and showed by their manner that, such was the idea of their own importance, that not only 

 time and tide, but flag-lieutenants, should wait their leisure. This conduct was the more 

 remarkable from a people so habitually ceremonious and polite. Tlie officer, therefore, very 

 properly said that the boat sent by the Commodore was at the steps, and was then going ofi' to 

 the ship, and if they chose to take passage in it he would be pleased to have their company ; if 

 not, they would be obliged to find their own conveyance ; but, as the appointed hour had long 

 since passed, it was doubtful whether they would be received by the Commodore at all. They 

 then replied, without, apparently, making any eiFort to hurry themselves, that they were 

 waiting for their companions. 



The flag-lieutenant now, without more ado, took his departure, and, getting into the boat, 

 put oflP for the ship. On his way thither he was met by a messenger from the Commodore, 

 with the command to wait no longer for the deputies, unless they had some good reason for 

 their delay. On the flag-lieutenanfs making his report, orders were given to prejpare for 

 another visit to the land, with a stronger demonstration of earnestness. Tlie deputies, however, 

 in the mean time ariaved, and, as they presented themselves at the gangway of the Powhatan, 

 the flag-lieutenant demanded, in the name of the Commodore, an explanation of their delay. 

 The Japanese functionaries then having off'ered as an apology that they had been delayed in 

 purchasing a few articles as presents for the American ambassador, were treated as if they told 

 the truth, and conducted to the Commodore's cabin, where they held a short conference, and 

 refreshments were hospitablj' set before them. They repeated in conversation the tenor of their 

 note, and said they had no authority to settle the boundaries in Hakodadi. Of course there 

 was no occasion to confer further with them, and the Commodore no longer pressed the matter, 

 but determined to postpone all negotiations until he should meet the imperial commissioners at 

 Simoda, the appointed time for which meeting was now rajDidly ajiproaching. 



On parting with these Japanese officials, the Commodore took occasion, while expressing his 

 gratification at the general kindness and courtesy of the authorities and people at Hakodadi, to 

 remark, that the inhabitants still seemed suspicious of the Americans, as they continued to shut 

 their houses and remove the women from observation. To this the deputies returned a written 

 reply, which, as it presents a document singularly characteristic of the gentle, conciliatory tone 

 of the Japanese, and of their ingenuity in the work of self-justification, and also exhibits the 

 moderate style of their official communications, we give at length : 



"To hear from the Commodore that, since his arrival in Hakodadi, he has been much pleased 

 with his intercourse and communications with the local authorities, is truly a great gratification 

 60 J 



