should be no appearance of coercion during its discussion and determination.

As soon as the Americans had departed, the court of Yedo addressed itself to the problem before it. Copies of the President's letter to the emperor, which set forth the terms of the treaty desired, were sent to the daimios and principal dignitaries of the empire, and their opinions requested. At the same time warlike preparations were set on foot. Strong forts were erected about the bay to protect the city of Yedo. Bells from the monasteries and metal articles of luxury contributed by the wealthy families were cast into cannon. Three hundred thousand patriot soldiers flocked to the capital to save it from desecration by the hated foreigners. New fear was awakened by the appearance of a Russian admiral at Nagasaki within two months after Perry's departure, making demand for intercourse and treaty rights. The priests of the national religion were commanded to offer up prayers for the sweeping away of the barbarians.1

The commodore had gone to China to recruit and reinforce his squadron, and to look after American interests in that empire imperiled by the civil war known as the Taiping rebellion, which was threatening the overthrow of the reigning dynasty. Our minister to the country was very persistent in his request that the naval force should be retained in Chinese waters, but Perry was too much impressed with the importance of his mission to Japan to be diverted by the civil war in

1 Perry's Expedition, chaps. xii.-xiv; Nitobe's Intercourse, etc., 49; 1 Japan, its History, Traditions, and Religions, by Sir E. J. Reed, London, 1880, p. 246.

China. Besides, he did not think it wise for the United States to become embroiled in that contest.

Other reasons made him feel that he should hasten his return to Japan. He had heard of the visit of the Russian admiral to Nagasaki, and he knew that the latter's fleet was lying in the river at Shanghai. A French squadron was also in Chinese waters, and the commander put to sea from Macao, where Perry then was, with his destination a mystery. The latter feared there was danger that the fruit, the seed of which he had sown at Yedo with so much care, might be gathered by others, and he determined to shorten his stay in China and take the risks of a winter passage to Japan.

Stopping on his way at the Lew Chew (Loo-Choo) Islands, he was overtaken by a letter from the governor of the Dutch East Indies, notifying him that the emperor of Japan had died since his departure, and conveying the request of the imperial government that he would delay his return beyond the time fixed by him, as no business could be transacted until the period of court mourning was over. The commodore expressed his regret at the sad intelligence, but said that he felt sure the present rulers of Japan had become so well satisfied of the friendly intentions of the President that they would not be disposed to delay an understanding between the two nations. And he continued on his journey.1

The fleet, now more than double its size on the first visit, and when fully assembled numbering ten vessels, entered the Bay of Yedo February 12, 1854, some time

1 Perry's Expedition, 302, 321.

in advance of the date fixed for its return. It was an impressive sight as it moved up the bay. No such martial array had ever been seen in Japanese waters. It was an unmistakable evidence of the earnestness of the United States. The city of Uraga was passed, no heed being paid to the government junks from which officials sought to communicate, and not until they had left behind them the reception place of the President's letter, and had reached the distance of twelve miles above Uraga, did they come to anchor.

The government boats, which had been waived aside in the lower bay, approached with a high Japanese official and interpreters. They were received by one of the captains designated by the commodore, he pursuing the policy of his last visit of holding intercourse only with a dignitary of equal rank specially nominated by the emperor. The official stated that the imperial orders were that the fleet should be treated with the utmost kindness, and that commissioners had been appointed to negotiate with "the Admiral." He said that the place fixed by the emperor for the conference was at Kamakura, in the outer bay. The commodore instructed his representative to reply that he would not return to the lower bay, and that if the commissioners were not willing to treat with him opposite his present anchorage, he would proceed with the fleet to Yedo and ask to negotiate there.

Some time was spent in daily visits to the flagship, discussing the place of meeting. The fact was that the court of Yedo had decided to make the best terms possible with the foreign commander, and to comply at

least partially with the terms of the President's letter; and the only object of these discussions as to the locality for the negotiations was to get the fleet as far away from the capital as possible. The commodore, however, was firm, and it was arranged that the place of meeting should be near the anchorage, at the site of the present city of Yokohama.

The first conference took place March 8, but meanwhile the credentials of the chief Japanese plenipotentiary had been submitted to the commodore and found satisfactory. As on the former visit, a special house had been erected for the conferences. On the part of the Japanese there was no such military display as on the occasion of the delivery of the President's letter, only a small guard being present. But the commodore, true to his purpose of impressing the Japanese with the importance of the mission, came on shore in much the same style as on his first landing, with a full detail of officers and marines and to the sound of martial music and salutes in honor of the emperor, the Japanese plenipotentiary, and himself.

It was found that to the imperial plenipotentiary four other princes and persons of high rank had been added to complete the commission. After the necessary introductions, the reply to the President's letter was submitted, which indicated a certain acquiescence in its terms. The negotiations then began and were continued at various conferences through the month. They were quite formal in their character, but marked by the greatest courtesy and good feeling, the Japanese commissioners proving quite equal to their new and untried duties.

On March 11 the presents brought from the United States for the emperor and other officials were delivered with due ceremony. They filled several large boats, were escorted from the ship by a number of officers, a company of marines, and a band, and were received by the high commissioners and their suite. In the list are noted a great variety of firearms and swords of the latest patterns and of fine workmanship, a quantity of books, beautiful dressing-cases and perfumeries, many clocks, instruments and tools, a complete telegraphic apparatus, a small locomotive, cars, rails, and all the appliances for a miniature railroad, lifeboats, and (not to suppress the truth) many baskets of champagne, a great variety and supply of liqueurs, and many barrels of whiskey.

Twelve days later the Japanese presents in return were delivered. The commodore went ashore with a numerous suite of officers to receive them. They filled the large reception hall, and were in endless variety, representing the perfection of Japanese art, exquisite lacquer work, the most delicate embroideries, porcelain ware most frail and perfect in workmanship, silks, satins, crepes, pongees in great quantity and variety, fans, umbrellas, dolls, etc. There were also fruits, rice, fish, and three hundred chickens, but no liquors of any kind. There were presents from the emperor to the President of the United States, to the commodore, to the captains of the ships, the interpreters, etc., none of those who had taken part in the conferences being neglected. There were presents from the commissioners, counselors of state, the governor, and the interpreters. The Americans were fairly equaled by their Japanese friends.