490 



EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



After the meridian observations had been calculated, Commodore Perry dispatched two of the 

 boats of the MississiiJiii, in charge of Lieutenants Maury and Webb, to visit a little bay of the 

 island of Oho-sima, about two miles distant abreast the ships. These officers landed, and found 

 only a small hamlet and a squad of miserably clad natives drawn up on the shore to meet them, 

 armed with clubs, stones, and one old firelock. The inhabitants, however, notwithstanding 

 their warlike aspect^ were very civil, and gave, in exchange for bread and pork, some fowls and 

 vegetables. A few botanical specimens were also obtained, but there was no time, or, what is 

 even more important, no coal to spare for any lengthened exploration. This was probably the 

 first time a Christian had ever landed upon Oho-sima. These islands, however, deserve a more 

 complete examination, and it is hoped that our government will, ere long, send suitable vessels 

 for such a purpose. One small steamer and a schooner of about a hundred and twenty tons, 

 with a store-ship for carrying coals and provisions, would be adequate for the work. 



Keeping as near as safety would permit to the chain of islands lying between Oho-sima and 

 Lew Chew, the steamers were steered soiithward and westward during the night, and at 

 daylight made the northern end of Great Lew Chew and the other islands in the neighborhood. 

 On rounding the former a ship was discovered, about five miles distant, steering north with a 

 fair wind. As soon, however, as she saw the steamers approaching, she tacked and stood to 

 the southward and westward. The Commodore ordered two blank cartridges to be fired as a 

 signal for the ship to heave to. At first she did not seem inclined to do so, but finding that the 

 squadron was closing in upon her very fast, she tacked again, and, running down towards the 

 steamers, she finally hove to. The flag-lieutenant then boarded her in a boat from the Mississippi, 

 and learned that the vessel was an English ship from Shanghai bound to England. The 

 caj^tain explained the cause of his suspicious movements by saying that, having heard of the 

 war with Russia, he had supposed at first that the American ships were the Eussian squadron, 

 and was greatly alarmed until he succeeded in making out distinctly the United States colors. 

 He showed his friendly disposition by sending to the Commodore an English paper. Within 

 ten miles of Napha, and as night approached, it became so dark that it was deemed imprudent 

 to enter the harbor, and the vessels were accordingly kept merely under steerage-way until 

 daylight, when the Powhatan cast off" the Southampton, which had orders to proceed direct to 

 Hong Kong. Both steamers then entered the port of Napha, and came to anchor on the Ist 

 of July, 1854. 



.«WS?/-J'. •Ti' 



