'204 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN 



you, and exchange ratifications. I have sent for a Dutch translation of the treaty that we may 

 see exactly how it reads. 



Captain A. Unless I can hear, in the course of five or six days, that the commissioners are 

 coming, a regard for the safety of the ship will make it necessary to move her up Tedo hay to 

 some safe anchorage. 



Governor. Everything will he done quickly. Will you he good enough to give me an English 

 copy of the treaty. 



Captain A. Not at present. After the ratifications are exchanged, I will have a copy made 

 for you with great pleasure. 



Here the interview terminated with the usual compliments on hoth sides. On the 9th of Feb- 

 ruary, Hiiajama Kanziro, an officer of rank and man of learning, arrived from Yedo. He came 

 on board the Powhatan to see me, and announced that the commissioners were on their way to 

 Simoda, and might be expected in three or four days. He said the Japanese were totally unused 

 to treaty making, and ignorant of the proper forms. I explained everything to him, assuring 

 him that by following my directions they would not go wrong, as everything would be done in 

 accordance with the practice of western nations. Kanziro had three scribes with him, who put 

 down all I said in writing. I gave him a memorandum, in which I stated among other things 

 that no preparation was necessary for the exchange of ratifications except a comparison with the 

 originals, which would be made by the interpreters in the presence of the Japanese commis- 

 sioners and myself, and that I hoped they would conclude the business as soon as possible. An 

 accident, similar to the one that caused the loss of the Diana, might befall this ship if we 

 remained here. We had felt several heavy earthquake shocks since we had been in port ; and 

 during a gale two days since we were obliged to get up steam to prevent the ship from going 

 ashore. She was dragging on the rocks, with three anchors down. There was no holding 

 ground ; and that if he had not assured me the commissioners were coming, the ship would this 

 day be on her way towards Tedo, to find a secure anchorage, and wait for the action of the 

 Japanese government. On the 12th of February, Kura-kawa Kahei, lieutenant governor of 

 Simoda, came on board, when, after the usual compliments, the following conversation took 

 place : 



Lieutenant Governor. One of the commissioners arrived last night. 



Captain A. When may the others be expected? 



Lieutenant Governor. I have come to speak on that subject. The original Japanese version 

 of the treaty reads that ratifications of the treaty shall not be exchanged until eighteen months 

 have elapsed. It will be compared with the Dutch translation and the English original. It is 

 perhaps the fault of the interpreters. The commissioner who has arrived would be glad to 

 see Captain Adams on shore to-morrow, to compare the originals and translations. 



Captain A. In case the comparisons are satisfactory, is the commissioner authorized and pre- 

 pared to make the exchange of ratifications immediately ? 



Lieutenant Governor. It will be done very soon, but I cannot say in how many days. The 

 commissioner has the ratified copy with him ; but, in consequence of the difference between the 

 original and the translation, it will be necessary to refer again to Yedo. 



Captain A. I have prepared a letter to the prime minister, which, however, I will not send 

 until after my interview with the commissioner to-morrow. I do not like this procrastination, 

 and cannot remain here much longer. Captain McCluney has given a large part of his provi- 

 sions to the Russians ; and we may be in want ourselves if we are delayed for any time. 



