M.C. Perry and Japan (IX)

In one of the Japanese boats alongside the flagship there was a man holding a scroll of paper. He was asked to read out the the content which was found written in French, it conveyed an order that the squadron should leave and not to anchor here at their own risk.1 Afterwards an official made signs for the gangway ladder to be let down so that he could come aboard the Susquehanna. This request was refused. Then Mr. Williams the interpreter and Mr. Portman, a Dutch, told the man that Perry would only meet an official of the highest rank in the area. Suddenly someone in the boat in very good English said that he could speak Dutch. Mr. Portman began to talk with him in Dutch as that man's English seemed to have been exhausted in his first sentence. This man asked if they were Americans and it seemed that the Japanese had expected the Commodore's arrival. He then said that because the the vice-governor of Urage was in the boat and proposed that the Commodore should appoint an officer of comparable rank to speak to him. Perry after some deliberate delay, agreed to the suggestion and appointed Lieutenant Contee to receive the vice-governor. When the gangway ladder was lowered, the vice-governor, Nagashima Saberosuke, accompanied by his interpreter, Hori Tatsunosuke who spoke Dutch came aboard. They were directed to the captain's cabinet to hold a conference with Contee while Perry acted like an observer and kept himself secluded.2 The Americans told vice-governor that they were on a friendly mission to Japan, and they had a letter from the President of the USA addressed to the Emperor of Japan and wished to deliver this letter personally to the Emperor, although a copy was available to be delivered to a senior Japanese officer in the region. Perry also told the guests that he would not permit their guard boats staying around the squadron, and said that if they did not disperse, he would use force to do so. While this wish was conveyed through the interpreter, the official suddenly left his seat and went to the gangway to order the guard boats to return to the shore. These boats did as ordered right away.3 The vice-governor shortly afterward took his leave and said that an officer of higher rank was on his way to the region. (to be continued)

Notes:
1. Perry, Matthew Calbraith ed. by Sidney Wallach. Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan. NY: Coward-McCann, 1952, page 48.
2. Ibid., page 49
3. Ibid., page 50