APPENDIX. 397 



wanted to buy anything, it was necessary for us to inform the magistrates, who thereupon 

 managed the business. 



" On the 3d of February, Commodore Perry and many officers of the Expedition appeared in 

 full dress and display, and proceeded in chairs to the palace of the king, I also accompanying 

 them. The prime-minister, Shang-hwang-heun, presided at an entertainment which was given 

 to us, and we were received by # the treasurer, Ma-leang-tsae. A grand feast was set out, the 

 articles being the same as we use in China, and at the conclusion, the various officers made 

 presents to their guests of fans, tobacco-pouches, silk, and other things. They were not of much 

 value, but this being the way in which their king expresses his respect for foreign nations, the 

 American officers gave them presents in return. The king himself we did not see, but were told 

 that he was young, and would be frightened at us. The palace is on the top of a hill named 

 Seiv-le, about three leagues from the shore. On both sides of the way to it were large trees, 

 and it was adorned with many commemorative arches. The building itself is large and beau- 

 tiful, with great quantities of the phcenix-tail grass, and many of the melia asedarach and 

 other trees growing about it, and affording a pleasant shade. On the hill-sides and in the 

 fields we saw grain growing, and on the shore there were several salt pans. At this time the 

 moon was advancing to the full, and beneath her light I enjoyed the pleasant scenery. 



"Two days after we resumed our voyage, and proceeded towards Japan. For four days we 

 were out of sight of land, and on one occasion I saw a whale more than forty feet long spouting 

 out a jet of water from its head and then disappearing. By-and-by we passed some uninhabited 

 islands, and in two days more the steamers and sailing vessels, amounting in all to nine, cast 

 anchor near to Hwang-pin, called by the Japanese themselves Yoku-hama. The season being 

 spring and the air clear, I saw at a distance, as I judged, of a hundred le. inland from Yoku- 

 hama a lofty mountain, rising up seven or eight le., its summits covered with snow. From the 

 highest peak lesser though still lofty elevations succeeded to one another, as if in a chain, and 

 reach as far as Keanghoo or Yedo, the capital of the country. When the emperor heard of the 

 arrival of the Expedition, he sent commissioners to negotiate with the visitors, the chief com- 

 missioner being of the surname of Lin. I do not give the names of the others, because I really 

 never could distinguish on their cards what was surname and name, what was office and what 

 was place. 



" On both sides, this being the commencement of intercourse between their respective countries, 

 there seemed at first to be some suspicions. I observed a fleet of more than a hundred Japanese 

 vessels, all with cloth sails, drawn up some distance off, near the shore, and on the land was a 

 camp full of soldiers and their accoutrements, all in preparation for any hostilities which might 

 arise. Next day two or three government boats came off to see the steamers, carrying at their 

 stern a blue and white flag, with the words 'Imperial Service' on it. The American officers 

 received the parties very courteously, and showed them the guns, trains, and everything on 

 board their vessel. The visitors were greatly delighted. Their dress was wide and loose, with 

 large sleeves. Each man had a couple of swords at his girdle. Their hair was tied up in a 

 knot, a small space over the^n'a mater in front being shaven. They wore shoes made of straw, 

 and their trowsers were of gay and very various colors. Notwithstanding the difference of their 

 language, I could introduce myself to them by means of the pencil, as they understood the 

 Chinese character, and they responded to me in the same way, expressing their admiration of 

 my country, and their pleasure at making my acquaintance. Many of them wrote down for me 

 their names and titles, and a friendship was thus established between us. 



