484 



EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



curiosity, expressing, with well feigned astonishment, their sui'prise at seeing a ''stone" tha 

 would burn. The coal that was obtained was charged at the enormous rate of about $28 per 

 ton ; but the Japanese stated that the price would be probably much reduced as the demand for 

 it increased, and their facilities for obtaining it improved. We are inclined to think, after a 

 careful examination of the particulars of the interviews and conferences with them on all 

 topics, that on no one subject did they misrepresent more unscrupulously than on that of coal . 

 There is no doubt that they have an abundance, and some of it very good. 



As the negotiations with the commissioners had now terminated, the Commodore prepared for 

 his final departure, and accordingly was desirous of settling the accounts of the ships with the 

 local authorities. Proper officers were accordingly sent on shore to receive from the governor a 

 statement, with the prices of the various articles with which the sr^uadron had been furnished.* 



Among other accounts was a bill for spars, which had been ordered previous to leaving for 

 Hakodadi ; but iipon investigation it was found that, although charged, they had not yet been 

 prepared or delivered, and that even the trees from which they were to be made had not yet 

 been cut down. The bazaar had also been opened for several days, and was supplied with the 

 various articles of Japanese manufacture which the Americans desired to purchase and take 

 home asmemorials of the expedition. The prices charged, however, were so exorbitant that 

 the Commodore was obliged to protest against the conduct of the authorities in this respect, and 

 to rebuke them for the neglect, not to call it by a harsher term, in not having the spars ready, 

 although they had been charged for as if furnished. 



The protest and complaints of the Commodore having been laid before the governor, Prince 

 Agawa, that functionary sent Moryama Yenoske, the interpreter, on board the flag-ship with a 

 respectful rejoinder to the effect that the prices of articles ofiered for sale in the bazaar had been 

 arranged at Yedo, and that they were not above the usual market valuation. It was then 

 explained by the flag-lieutenant that, although the prices in Chinese " cash " might not appear 

 exorbitant to the Japanese, yet that they were really so to the Americans, who were obliged to 

 pay in dollars, at a depreciation much below their value. Moryama Yenoske explained the 

 affair of the spars by declaring that he was responsible for what he was pleased to term the 

 error, as he supposed that all the Commodore had asked for was the cost of spars, and did not 

 understand that an order had been given for a supply of them. Subsequently, the Commodore 



» The cost of the 

 interest and value to 



various supplies, which are those ordinarily required by foreign vessels, is here given, as it may bo of 

 future navigators. 



Prices of supplies at Simoda. 



Wood - 



Eggs 



Chicltens 



Fish 



Cray-fisli 



Ditto - 



Cabbage 



Radishes 



Potatoes 



Onions 



(The sack holds 



],i200 Cash = %\. 

 |6 75. 



7 for 10 cents. 

 - - 39 cents each. 



from 17^ to 89 cents each. 

 35 cents each. 

 11 J cents per cattee. 

 18 cents per sack. 

 12| cents per Back. 

 38 cents per sack. 

 10 cents per sack. 

 a little more than an English bushel.) 



Six funs = 5 English feet, 



1 spar, 82 fans long, diameter 1 fan 3.6-10 inches - $108 80 



2 spars, 50 fans 6 inches long, diameter 8 inclies - 27 00 

 2 ditto, 73 fans 7 in. long, diameter 1 fan 2.8-10 in. 176 10 

 2 ditto, 47 fans 3 inches long, diameter 8 inches - 25 50 

 2 ditto, 52 fans 8 inches long, diameter 8 inclies - 27 00 

 2 ditto, 39 fans 6 inches long, diameter G.4-10 inches 10 40 

 2 ditto, 55 fans long, diameter 8 inches - - - 30 00 

 1 ditto, 66 fans long, diameter 1 fan 1.2-10 inches - 54 40 



1 ditto, 44 fans long, diameter 7.2-10 inches - - 7 80 



2 ditto, 49 fans long, diameter 8 inches - - - 25 50 

 2 ditto, 46 fans long, diameter 7.2-10 inches - - 19 50 

 2 ditto, 30 fans 8 5-10 in. long, diameter 7.2-10 in. 13 00 

 2 ditto, 49 fans 5 in. long, diameter 1 fan 1.2-10 in. 95 20 

 2 ditto, 33 fans long, diameter 4 8-10 inches - - 71 49 

 2 ditto, 55 fans long, diameter 1 fan 2.8-10 inches 1C3 20, 



