APPRECIATION OF "WASHINGTON." 497 



contributing a stone to be wrought into the monument which is rising at Washington to 

 perjjetuate the memory of one who iiresented a specimen so rare of the ijuiilities which ennoble 

 humanity. There is something at once impressive and beautiful in such a tribute, coming from 

 the men of various lands and tongues, as if all were anxious to claim their kindred share in a 

 glorious possessor of liuman nature, and to attest their respect for such an illustration of human 

 purity. It serves to show that as a man Washington belonged to the world, and men every 

 where are justly proud of their brotherhood ; such pride is their tribute to human virtue ; as 

 the leader of our army who periled all he had on earth for his country, and as the head of our 

 republic, he belonged indeed to us ; but we are willing and glad that good men everywhere 

 should seek to catch inspiration from his virtues. When these 2)oor Lew Chewans knew that a 

 stone from their for distant island would be acceptable, even they understood what it meant, they 

 had heard of "the great mandarin," as they called him, and the stone was sent. So, too, the 

 rocks of Japan and Formosa have furnished their quota of material, and thus the broad lands 

 of earth's continents and the remote islands of oriental seas have alike brought together their 

 enduring tributes to a memorial which is meant 



" To give the world assurance of a man '■" 



It was during this last vi.sit, also, that a circumstance occurred which served to show that some 

 of the common Japanese, at least, had seen enough of the world and of other people than their 

 countrymen to make them desii-ous of seeing more. While the squadron was lying at anchor 

 at Napha, a native of Japan, who was in Lew Chew, in what capacity we know not, swam from 

 the shore to the Lexington with a bundle of clothing, and begged to be received on board and 

 to be brought to the United States. The officer in command of the Lexington sent him to the 

 flag-ship ; and while the Commodore would have made no objection provided the assent of the 

 Japanese authorities had been obtained, yet, knowing their severe restrictions on the subject of 

 natives leaving the kingdom, and, scrupulously anxious not to give offence, he declined, as before, 

 receiving the man, and ordered him to be set on shore again. The only Japanese who came home 

 in the squadron were part of the shipwrecked crew of a junk, of which we have already spoken. 

 These men were taken from San Francisco to China, and there two of them shipped themselves 

 as landsmen on board the Susquehanna, and both are now in the United States. Frequent 

 intercourse with one of them — a young man of some twenty-two years — enables us to say that 

 he is remarkably intelligent, reads and writes Japanese, both Kata-kana and Hira-kana, has 

 learned to speak (though imperfectly) and to write English, is very desirous of information, 

 conforms to our customs and fashion in dress, and is most scrupulously clean and tidy. His 

 wish is to learn more of our country and language, and then to return to Japan. 



On the evening of the 14th the Commodore gave a parting entertainment on board his ship 

 to the authorities of Lew Chew. All passed off pleasantly, and at nine o'clock the guests 

 returned on shore, after uttering many thanks for the attentions the Commodore had shown 

 them on his repeated visits, and expressing and seemingly feeling great gratification in the 

 courtesies that had been shown them. On the next day the Lexington was ordered to Hong 

 Kong and sailed immediately ; and on the ITth the Commodore left in the Mississipi^i, 

 accompanied by the Powhatan, these being the only remaining vessels of the squadron, and the 

 harbor of Napha was left to the quiet in which it reposed when our ships first anchored in its 

 waters. 



C3 J 



