47 8 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



■was then mutually agreed that three American officers should accompany the Japanese officers 

 appointe I to affix the boundaries, and regulate the erection of the walls and gates at Simoda. 

 The Commodore, however, positively refused to consent that Americans should ask any permis- 

 sion of the Japanese officers, or of any one else, to go anywhere within the limits of the seven 

 ri fixed by the treaty, they, of course, conducting themselves properly and peaceably. 



The great discussion, however, was concerning tlie boundaries within which our countrymen 

 might go at Hakodadi. These had not yet been settled at all. The Japanese wished to confine 

 Americans within the city itself; but as the Commodore protested most strongly against this, 

 the subject was postponed for future consideration. The commissioners having stated that a 

 special place had been set apart for the burial of Americans, asked permission to have the body 

 of the man buried at Yoku-hama removed to Simoda. Tliis was granted, and a promise made 

 that proper persons from the squadron should be selected to assist i i the removal. 



The suggestion of the Commodore that pilots and a harbor-master be ajipointed was 

 readily acceded to by the commissioners, who promised that suitable persons should be chosen 

 and made acquainted with their duties. The conference then closed and was resumed on the 

 following day, in the course of which the question again came up in regard to the limits at 

 Hakodadi, but its settlement was, for the second time, postponed. A general conversation 

 ensued over the refreshments with which the Japanese entertained their guests, in which the 

 commissioners showed, by their enquiries, that lively interest which was uniformly exhibited 

 among the educated classes in the events transpiring in different parts of the world. They 

 were very curious to know something about the products and manufactures of the United States, 

 and asked our views in regard to China and its revolution, and concerning the war between 

 Kussia and Turkey. 



Another conference took place on the succeeding day, but without any definite result in 

 regard to the limits at Hakodadi, although the question was discussed for several hours. An 

 attempt was made by the commissioners to obtain the consent of the Commodore to a regulation 

 prohibiting the Americans from remaining on shore after sunset, which was positively refused. 

 Two (the newly appointed commissioners) had been chosen expressly to settle the question in 

 regard to the comparative value of the Japanese and United States currencies, and Pursers 

 Speiden and Eldridge were selected by the Commodore to confer with them on that subject. 

 An important result ensued, embodied in an interesting and valuable report made by those 

 gentlemen to the Commodore.* 



After a succession of daily conferences, which continued from the 8th to the ITth of June, a 

 mutual agreement was finally adjusted on the latter day, in regard to the various disputed 



• The following correspondence embraces the official action on this point : 



United States Flag-ship Powhatan, Simoda, June 12, 1854. 



Gentlemen : You are hereby appointed to the duty of holding communication with certain Japanese officials delegated by 

 the imperial government, in conformity with the treaty of Kanagawa, to arrange with officers, alike delegated by me, the rate 

 of currency and exchange which shall for the present govern the payments to be made, by the several ships of the squadron, for 

 articles that liave been and are to be olitained ; also to establish, as far as can be, tiio price at which coal, per picul or ton, can 

 be delivered on board at tliis port of Simoda. 



It is not to be understood that the rate of currency or exchange which may be agreed upon at this time is to be permanent ; 

 on the contrary, it is intended only to answer immediate purposes. Neither you nor myself are sufficiently acquaijited witii the 

 purity and value of the Japanese coins to establish a fixed rate of exchange, even if I had the power to recognise such 

 arrangement. 



It will, however, be very desirable for you to make yourselves acquainted with all the peculiarities of the Japanese currency, 



