1845.] PERMISSION TO LAND. 7 



would be disconcerted. They urged my remaining fourteen 

 days, at the termination of which period orders would 

 arrive from court, directing the mode of my reception at 

 Nangasaki, and until this was duly notified, I could 

 not land at the city, but might enter the harbour if I 

 wished. As the thermometer at this outer anchorage 

 stood as high as 96, and we were informed that it was 

 "dreadful within "! I preferred my present position, where 

 I could enjoy the freedom of moving about in the boats 

 in pursuit of an object which had to be effected, not- 

 withstanding the vigilance of their numerous guard 

 boats. The chief of this deputation, a very prepossessing 

 person, of about 55 years of age, and excessively polite, 

 informed me, that although we could not ourselves visit 

 the shore, he had been instructed to prepare a list of 

 any articles which we required, either for the ship or our- 

 selves, and it was fully understood that we were to pay 

 for them, as the prices were named for every article 

 mentioned. Fresh meat, vegetables, water, and spars, were 

 noted for the ship ; and fruit and some minor articles 

 for the use of the officers. There were many articles of 

 ornament which 1 wished to purchase, but the reply was, 

 " if you wait fourteen days you will have them, as they 

 must be sent for ; and if you wish any particular articles 

 manufactured for you (Japan tables, desks, &c.,) they will 

 be ordered, and prepared for you by your return next 

 year, when it is highly probable that you will be permitted 

 to land." In this I am satisfied they were sincere. 



One pertinent question was asked : " Why did the 

 English discontinue trade with Japan ? " This I was not 

 prepared to answer, but suggested that the fault might 



