208 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



affairs of state must sit in the same chamber. Therefore, in all home affairs, as well as those 

 that have reference to foreign countries, the names of all persons are written. So it has hitherto 

 "been the case in those documents sent to Russia or Holland. Thus, according to our old usage, 

 this will also be strictly observed. If only one name was written in the confirmation of the 

 treaty, which, as an important document, will be kept till eternal life, it would be contrary to 

 Japanese custom, and besides, impolite to the United States. All this is written after the 

 council of the government, and sent with the confirmation of the treaty. In order to prevent 

 any mistake in the interpretation, this has been written in Dutch. 



IDO-TSU-SIMA NOKAMI. 



After reading this letter, which was translated by Mr. Lobscheid, I asked to see the ratified 

 treaty which the lieutenant governor had brought off with him. It bore the signature and seal 

 of Tai-Koen, in full, with a column of Japanese characters adjoining it, expressing, as was 

 explained to me, his power and dignity. It bore also the seals and signatures of the six 

 supreme councillors, in a lower place. 



Captain A. This letter and the signatures to the treaty are all quite satisfactory. Will the 

 commissioners be ready to conclude the business to-morrow morning? 



Lieutenant Governor. Yes, they will. We wish further to say that the commissioners have 

 received from Yedo a ratified copy of the supplementary articles to the treaty of Kanagawa, 

 which were added by Commodore Perry last year at Simoda,' and we wish to know if you will 

 receive it and carry it to the United States. When these supplementary articles are also con- 

 firmed by the American government, the ratification can be sent out by some ship coming to 

 Japan. 



Captain A. Yes, I agree to do this. 



Lieutenant Governor. On this important occasion the Japanese wish to give a proof of their 

 good will and friendship towards the Americans. They therefore request that the ratifications 

 may be exchanged on shore, where they are preparing an entertainment, and where they have 

 arranged some trifling presents for the captain and officers of the ship. 



Captain A. By whom are these presents offered? Do they come from the Emperor or the 

 government ? 



Lieutenant Governor. No. They are offered by the commissioners. 



Captain A. I must be perfectly assured on that point. By the laws of our country, officers 

 are forbidden to accept presents from the governments of other countries. 



Lieutenant Governor. We are aware of that ; we were told so by Commodore Perry. But 

 these are not from the Emperor nor the supreme council, nor the government in any way. 

 They are only a few trifles from the commissioners for the captain and officers of the ship, in 

 return for the books and other valuable things given to them, of which they beg your accept- 

 ance as old friends. 



The next day, February 21st, a Japanese officer came off to the ship, and announced that the 

 commissioners were ready at the temple to receive me. I went on shore immediately, attended 

 by as many officers of the Powhatan as could be spared from duty. The treaty was carried by 

 sailors, with the United States flag flying over it. On my arrival at the temple, after the com- 

 pliments of reception, we were shown, according to the custom of Japan, the presents intended 

 for the captain and officers of the Powhatan. They consisted of some pretty specimens of 

 lacquered ware. Three or four pieces were for myself. The treaties on both sides were then 



