M.C. Perry and Japan (XVI)

Ignoring Japan's request to stop surveying the Yedo bay, the American sent out boats to do so knowing that their activities were closely monitored by the Japanese. On 18th, the Japanese came aboard to announce the arrival of a high official at Uraga and requested Perry to meet him there. Still Perry objected to that location, claiming that the size of the squadron was to big to anchor at Uraga, and it would be better to go up the bay towards Yedo. On 22nd, Captain Adams landed at Uraga with his men to meet the Japanese officials and were met by a Japanese prince, Hayashi, Prince of Daigaku together with two high dignitaries. It seemed that they were very eager to prevent the squadron to go near Yedo. The discussion ended without a decision. The next day Yezaimon, the governor of Uraga whom the American had met a few months ago suddenly visited the squadron. He had not shown his presence since the American came for the second time. His visit was for the purpose of soliciting Captain Adam to influence Perry to accept Uraga as the place to receive the Emperor's reply. Perry meanwhile having little hope of any favourable reply from the Japanese, moved the squadron even further up the bay. It was so close to Yedo that the American could see Yedo from the masthead and could hear the striking of the city bell at night. The next morning Yezaimon visited again, he found that Perry was still keen to go near Yedo. Suddenly he suggested a spot in the immediate neighbourhood of the village of Yokohama which was directly opposite to where the ships were anchoring. Perry accepted this suggestion. The Japanese immediately began constructing a wooden building for the ceremony.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 147.