CONFERENCE WITH THE COMMISSIONERS AT SIMODA. 477 



on the 3d of June, 1854. The steamers, however, had hardly got under -way at early sunrise, 

 when they were obliged to anchor again at the mouth of the bay, in consequence of a dense fog. 

 It was providential tliat the weather had remained clear a suilicient time to allow of securing 

 some bearings for a safe anchorage. As the day advanced the fog was dissipated, and the two 

 steamers, weighing again, got clear of the straits before night. 



On the fifth day out, the smoke of the volcano of Olio-sima was discovered in the distance, 

 and the land was soon distinctly made ; but the weather becoming very thick from the rain ar.d 

 mist, it was found necessary to put the ships' heads off shore and continue under low steam 

 during the night. The fog continuing while the ships were among the islands in the Gulf of 

 Yedo, caused a delay of full twenty-four hours, and they consequently did not arrive at Simoda 

 until the 7th of June, which, however, was one daj' before the time appointed for a meeting of 

 the Commodore with the commissioners. Nothing of especial interest occurred during the 

 passage. A very large number of whales was observed, and the strong eastward current was 

 remarked as before. 



At noon, the Powhatan, passing Vandalia bluff at the entrance of Simoda harbor, ran in and 

 came to anchor in her former berth, followed by her consort the Mississippi. The store-ship 

 Supply was found at anchor in the harbor. Shortly after anchoring, some of the Japanese 

 officers came on board the flag-ship, and cordially welcoming the Commodore on his return to 

 Simoda, informed him that the commissioners bad arrived from Yedo with an addition of two to 

 their number. As the Commodore was very desirous of completing his business with these 

 fanctionaries, who, judging from past experience, would probably be somewhat slow in all their 

 movements, he sent his flag-lieutenant on shore to propose an immediate interview. It was 

 ascertained by this officer that the commissioners were out of town, but very soon after a 

 message arrived, to the effect that they Avould return at once, and be in readiness to meet the 

 Commodore the next day at noon. 



The Commodore landed with a suitable escort on the next day, and was received at the temple 

 by the commissioners, with the usual formal compliments. The two new members of the 

 commission were presented by name and title as Tzudsuki, Suraga-no-kami, (prince of Suraga,). 

 and Take-no-uchisetaro, comptroller of the revenues : the chief commissioner then stated that 

 Simoda had been made an imperial city, and that Izawa, Prince of Mimasaki, and Tzudsuki 

 had been appointed its governors, with Kura-kawa-kahei and Ise-sin-toheiro as lieutenant- 

 governors. In consequence of this new organization the commissioners declared that it would 

 be necessary to establish certain boundaries to the city by means of walls and gates, in order to 

 define the limits of the imperial jurisdiction ; and asked whether the Commodore would object 

 to the erection of such, with the understanding that the Americans should have the privilege of 

 going where and when they pleased within them, and beyond them, on asJcijir/ jyermission, which 

 permission would always readily be granted. The Commodore replied that he had no desire to 

 interfere with any plans of the government, provided they did not violate the stipulations of 

 the treaty ; and, reminding them that the Americans had a perfect right, guarantied to them by 

 that document, of moving unmolested within the limits of seven U or ri, said that, of course, 

 he would leave what was beyond that distance to be governed by their own regulations.* It 



* A ri is equal to 2 ^^^g English statute miles ; 6 feet is equal to 1 ken ; 60 kens make 1 choo ; 36 choos make 1 ri. The 

 fans of the Japanese are of uniform size, six of them making five English feet. They are used as measures, recognised by tlie 

 laws. 



