RATIF1CYTI0N OF THE TREATY OF K A N A G A W A '209 



produced and carefully examined; and after receiving the formal assurance of the commissioners 

 that the seal and signature of the Tai-Koen and supreme council were genuine and authentic, 

 and finding everything else right, the exchange was made in due form. This was imme- 

 diately communicated to Captain McCluney, on board the Powhatan, who fired a salute of 

 seventeen guns, with the Japanese flag at the fore. We then sat down to the feast they had 

 prepared for us, where we drank, in many cups of sakee, to the eternal friendship of the two 

 countries. The commissioners accepted an invitation from me to visit the Powhatan, and I 

 went on board to receive them. They came off in about an hour after me, attended by a large 

 suite of officers, interpreters, and servants. They were received with a salute of thirteen guns, 

 and were entertained in the cabin and wardroom. About sunset, they left the ship in high 

 spirits, and apparently much delighted with their visit. A parting salute of thirteen guns 

 was given them. The next morning we left Simoda in the Powhatan for Shanghai. 



Notwithstanding the delay in perfecting the treaty, I found the Japanese during my visit 

 much more disposed to be friendly and sociable than formerly. Our officers roamed where they 

 pleased over the country and the village?:, and were welcomed everywhere. There was no 

 attempt to watch or follow them. A bazaar was opened in a temple at the foot of the hills and 

 filled with articles of Japanese manufacture, brought from Yedo and other places. We were 

 not only invited but absolutely importuned to buy. At the interviews I had with the governor 

 and commissioners on shore everything was conducted as at the making of the treaty at Ka-na- 

 ga-wa. The hall was fitted up in the same manner, the entertainments the same, and the inferior 

 officers and interpreters who were present always remained upon their knees, as on that occasion. 

 During all the time of our stay, except when conferences were held on shore, I was visited daily 

 by the lieutenant governor or some officer of high rank. An anxious wish was expressed by 

 these people that trading vessels from America would soon begin to visit them, and the governor 

 of Simoda intimated to me that it would be very agreeable to him personally if a consul from 

 the United States shoxild be appointed to reside at Simoda. They were eager to obtain books 

 on medical or scientific subjects, and many valuable works were presented to them by Dr. 

 Maxwell and others. Indeed, they were glad to receive books on any subject except religion. 

 They told me they had learned how to manage the locomotive engine sent to the Emperor by 

 the United States government, but the magnetic telegraph was too hard for them. 



The Kussian Admiral Pontiatin concluded a treaty with them while I was there. He 

 informed me that the terms of it were precisely the same as of that made with the United 

 States, except that the Russians get the port of Nangasaki instead of Napa-Keang. 



During our stay at Simoda a French ship arrived and anchored in the outer harbor, having 

 on board two Japanese seamen, who had been taken off the wreck of a junk about three years 

 previously by an American whale ship. The Japanese authorities ordered the vessel off, would 

 permit none of their people to go on board of her, and positively refused to receive the ship- 

 wrecked men. They had, they said, no treaty with France, and French vessels had no right 

 to come there under any pretext. At the intercession, however, of Captain McCluney and 

 myself, they agreed they would receive these men from the Powhatan, if Captain McCluney 

 would first take them on board the ship, and then deliver them as coming from an American 

 man-of-war. This was done. They were kept all night on board the Powhatan, and landed at 

 Simoda next morning. They were immediately compelled to shave their heads and resume 

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