The First Visit of an American Ship to Japan. 151 



visit might not be repeated, even as an errand of humanity, 

 Capt. Cooper was itistructed to leave with the Chinese or 

 Dutch any other Japanese should he chance to rescue them 

 from similar peril. And on learning his intention to visit 

 Petropaulowski and afterwards Holland on his voyage 

 homeward, these facts were communicated to the emperor, 

 who had the following open paper sent to Captain Cooper 

 which he was to exhibit wherever he mentioned his visit 

 that it might not be regarded as a precedent for all who 

 chose to follow. 



"lam informed, by the mouths of some shipwrecked 

 persons of our country, that they have been brought home 

 by your ship, and that they have been well treated. JSTow 

 it is our law, that such persons should not be received 

 from the hand of foreign countries, except China and 

 Holland. But in the present case, we shall make an ex- 

 ception, because the return of these men by you must be 

 attributed to your ignorance of this law. In future 

 Japanese subjects will not be received in like circum- 

 stances, and will have to be treated rigorously when re- 

 turned. You are hereby advised of this and that you 

 must make it known to others. 



That provision, firewood, water from the long time 

 spent on the voyage are scarce upon the ship, this is heard 

 and these things are granted. 



" On receipt of this order the ship must speedily depart, 

 and not remain near by this land, but actually return to 

 its own country." 



The Manhattan remained in the harbor four days, during 

 which time the captain received the supplies he needed, 

 for which no compensation would be taken. When the 

 ship was sufficiently recruited and ready for sea, adverse 

 winds presented no impediment to the governor. The 

 guard boats broke up and wheeled again into long lines 

 and towed the Manhattan out of the bay and channel till 



