M.C. Perry and Japan (XV)

In early 1854 Perry returned to Japan as promised. But before that, together with his squadron, he visited Lew Chew again. On 3rd February 1854, Perry paid his first visit to the palace accompanied by military guards. After that, Perry visited the regent's house. Now the US had erected a building on the island to store coal. In order to pave the way for his coming visit to Japan, he dispatched the Macedonian, the Vandalia, Lexington and Southampton on 1st February 1854 while his himself left on the 7th of February. Before leaving Lew Chew for Japan Perry already knew from the Dutch that the Emperor of Japan had died soon after the reception of the President's letter. On 11th February Perry arrived at the outer bay of Yedo. the Macedonian and Vandalia were already there to receive Perry. On 13th February, the Perry's squadron moved up the bay of Yedo, a few miles north of Urage. Two Japanese boats came forward and the officials therein were received by Captain Adams on board the Powhatan, one of them was Kurokawa Kahie. One purpose for their coming was to ask the squadron to return to Uraga from their present location which was very near Yedo. Adams refused the suggestion. The next day, the Japanese officials came again, suggesting to receive the American on shore at Kamakura which was a town at in the outer bay of Yedo and was about 20 miles below Uraga. Again Captain Adam ruled that this location was not suitable for the American squadron. At this point, the Japanese suggested Captain Adams to go to Urage to confer with the Japanese high officials there about the place of meeting. The Japanese also wanted to know why the American did not want to meet the Japanese at Urage, and they were somewhat puzzled by the decision of the American. Adams said that it was the custom for American people to perform official business at the metropolis and that Commodore Perry should go to Yedo to receive the reply. The Japanese also quested the American not to land on shore or to survey the harbor. After some light entertainment these officials departed.1 (to be continued)

Note:

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 132.