M.C. Perry and Japan (VIII)

Perry had invited two artists to keep a picture record of this dinner. Mr. Hein at a small table made a sketch of the group while Mr. Portman took a portrait of the regent.1 After the dinner the guests smoked their pipes and later offered one pipe with the tobacco pouch to Perry to try. During the dinner, the band played on the deck. When the guests left the Susquehanna after the dinner, they were given a salute of three guns. In the morning of July 2nd, 1853 Perry left Napha with four vessels: two steamers (Susquehanna and Mississippi) and two sloops of war the Saratoga and the Plymouth. 2 At sunset on Thursday, July 7, the squadron was about 40 miles away from Cape Nagatsuo, or Idzu. Soon eight to ten junks appeared and two or three after a while returned back to the shore, probably to report the arrival of the Americans. Perry's steamers were going at eight to night knots with all sails furled even there was the wind. It was the first time for steamers to sail in Japanese waters.3 Crossing the mouth of the bay of Sagami, with Oshima Island on the starboard, the squadron moved towards Cape Sagami. The cone like summit of Fuji was now visible. At this moment, Perry ordered the squadron in a war ready position: guns placed in position, ammunition arranged, small arms made ready, men were at their posts. At about 5 pm the squadron anchored off the city of Uraga at the west side of the Yedo bay. They were about 1.5 miles from the promontory guarding the entrance of Yedo bay. All Japanese batteries in the bay and two major towns nearby were now within the range of the squadron's guns. The Americans soon noticed two guns were fired from a neighboring fort. Even before anchoring, some Japanese guard boats had tried to approach the squadron and send people on board. Perry, before his arrival, had already decided to limit the visitors to those who came for official business, and on each occasion the number was restricted to three people. Now he ordered that all communication were to be directed to Susquehanna only, not to him or his flag ship the Mississippi. 5 No sooner, another gun was fired from one of the forts on shore. A large number of guards boats came and some Japanese wanted to climb up the vessels but were checked at the sight of pikes, swords and pistols.6 (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, pages 40-41.
2. Ibid., page 42
3. Ibid., page 43
4. Ibid., page 44
5. Ibid., page 45
6. Ibid., page 46