SAM PATCU. 485 



and some of his officers went on shore and partook of a handsome collation, at the earnest 

 solicitation of the commissioners, who, on the occasion, made an ample apology for the various 

 errors and misunderstandings which had interrupted tlie friendly intercourse between the 

 Americans and the authorities. The Commodore explained that it was a principle he had been 

 contending for, and not the comparatively unimportant consideration of a few hundred dollars, 

 more or less, as his government had placed ample means in his hands, and he was disposed to 

 pay liberally for all he had ; but neither the United States nor he were at all willing to be 

 imposed upon. Moryama Yenoske, who was always the most active of all the officials, and was 

 now the chief spokesman, said that the Americans might purchase any articles they pleased at 

 their own valuation. This offer was, of course, rejected ; and Yenoske then assumed, in behalf 

 of himself and his fellow-interpreter, Tatsnoske, the whole blame, not only in regard to the 

 spars, but the exorbitant prices and all the other wrongs which had given rise to complaint. 

 Indeed, these two worthy gentlemen seemed to be convenient mediums through which their 

 superiors might render a vicarious expiation for their offences. They were ever ready to 

 shoulder all the responsibility for anything wrong. Yenoske, however, was very civilly told 

 that, although the Commodore could appreciate the self-sacrificing devotion with which he 

 shouldered all the blame, yet that it was not a victim that was sought, but merely a correction 

 of certain evil practices which, if not checked in the beginning, might lead to disaffection and 

 serious quarrel. A perfect reconciliation then ensued, which was appropriately sealed by a 

 present from the commissioners of a block of stone for the Washington monument, which was 

 to be carried to the United States as a tribute from Japan to the memory of the great father of 

 our republic. Nothing afterwards occurred to interrupt friendly relations, and frequent 

 intercourse, which grow more and more intimate as the day of departure approached, took place 

 with all classes on shore. Handsome presents were exchanged, and some choice articles of 

 Japanese manufacture were received from the authorities as gifts for the President and for the 

 officers of the ships. Among the gifts were three Japanese dogs, sent to the President. These 

 were of the small spaniel breed, already alluded to, very highly esteemed in Japan, and 

 purchasable only at a very large price. The Commodore succeeded in bringing them to the 

 United States, and they now thrive at Washington. The Commodore obtained two for himself 

 one only of which reached the United States. 



A few days previous to the departure of the Commodore, Moryama Yenoske, in company with 

 several other officials, came on board the Powhatan to request that the Japanese "Sam Patch " 

 of whom we have spoken, should be allowed to remain in Japan. They were told that the 

 Commodore had no objection whatever to the man's remaining, if he wished ; but that it must 

 be by his own free will, and that the commissioners must give a written pledge that the man 

 should not, in any way, be punished for his absence from Japan. Moreover, as he had suffered 

 shipwreck, and had been thrown, by God's providence, on American protection, and had 

 entered on board an American ship by his own choice, he was entitled to all the protection and 

 security of an American citizen ; consequently the Commodore could allow of no coercion bein"- 

 resorted to to make the man remain in Japan. The Japanese officials ridiculed tlie idea of his 

 suffering any harm or hurt by his remaining in Japan, and said that the commissioners would 

 cheerfully give any guarantee required that he should in no way be molested, but be allowed at 

 once to return to his friends, who were very anxious to see him. Sam was now called up, but 

 all the eloquence and persuasiveness of the Jajianese were insufficient to induce him to leave the 



