USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Oelwein > The Telegraph-herald's abridged history of the state of Iowa and directory of Fayette County, including the city of Oelwein, with a complete classified business directory; > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
The next day was Wednesday (July 13,) and the visit of the governor was naturally expected at an early hour, in fulfilment of his promise. There was, however, no indication through the morning of his coming, and everything remained in a state of tranquil expectation. There seemed to be some little movenient on the part of the authorities, as far as could be gathered from an observation of the neighboring land. From the opposite shores numerous vessels, loaded with soldiers, crossed to the Uraga side, and a large junk with the usual government flag and insignia put into the harbor. The brisk trade of the bay was carried on as usual, and Japanese boats, both large and small, were moving up and down in constant circulation. The various towns and villages grouped about the bay were thus interchanging their elements of life, and, stimulated into commercial activity by the throb from the busy heart of
268
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
the great city, poured into Yedo their overflowing abundance. There were no less than sixty-seven junks counted as passing up the bay during the single day.
The weather continued warm, with the theremoneter indicating as high a point as 87 degrees, but the heat was tempered by an agreeable sea breeze. The view of the shores was much observed at times by the haze which is said to be so prevalent on the Japanese coast; but in the experience of the squadron the weather hitherto had been remarkably clear, and this day was the foggiest that had been seen since the ships arrived in the bay. Nothing could be seen of the great landmark,-the lofty peak of Fusi,-which, by the way, was generally more plainly visible toward the evening than during the day, and was often observed beautifully distinct at sunset, when its summits would glow with a rich halo of crimson light.
The expected visit of the governor occurred at last, at about four o'clock in the afternoon. His highness Kayama Yezaiman, accompained, as usual, by his first and second interpreters, presented himself, with a thousand apolo- gies for not having come earlier, as the high officer from Yedo had but just just arrived. The apologies having been made, the governor exhibited the original order of the Emperor, addressed to the functionary who had been appointed to receive the Commodore. The Emperor's letter was short, and was certified by a large seal attached to it. This imperial epistle, which was wrapped in velvet, and inclosed in a box made of sandal-wood, was treated by the governor with such reverence that he would allow no one to touch it. A copy of it in Dutch, and a certificate verifying the authenticity of the docu- ment, and of the Emperor's seal attached thereto, given under the hand of Kayama Yezaiman, the governor; were also presented. The translations were as follows :-
Translation of letter of credence given by the Emperor of Japan to his highness, Toda. Prince of Idzu.
I send you to Uraga to receive the letter of the President of the United States to me, which letter has recently been brought to Uraga by the Admiral, upon receiving which you will proceed to Yedo, and take the same to me.
(Here is Emperor's seal)
Sixth month in 1853.
Translations of Certificate of Kayama Yezaiman, Governor of Uraga, verifying the authenticity of the Emperor's letter and seal.
You can rest assured that the high officer who has been accredited by the Emperor of Japan himself, and who consequently comes here to Uraga from Yedo for the purpose of receiving the original and translated letters, is of a very high rank, equal to that of the Lord Admiral. I do assure that.
KAYAMA YEZAIMAN.
The governor, in the course of the conference, took care to state that the person appointed by the Emperor had no authority to enter into discussions with the Commodore, but was merely empowered to receive the papers and convey them to his sovereign. He also stated that he had made injury as to the practncability of changing the place of meeting, and said that, as a suit- able building had been erected, it would be inconvenient to change. The Commodore was prepared for this reply, and, as he could not know whether any threachery was intended or not, he had determined to provide, as far as he could, against every contingency, and had therefore ordered the surveying
269
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
party to examine the little bay at the head of which the building had been erected for his reception. The officers sent upon this service promptly per- formed the duty, and reported the ships could be brought within gunshot of the place, where great numbers of the people had been observed employed in the completion of the building, in transporting furniture, and in otherwise pre- paring for the occasion.
The governor offered to accompany a boat to the place appointed for the reception, but this was declined, and he was informed that as it did not befit the dignity of the Commodore to proceed a long distance in a small boat, the squadron would be removed to a position nearer the building designed for the reception. It was then agreed that the Commodore and his party should leave the ships between eight and nine o'clock the next day, (Thursday), although the Japanese seemed particularly anxious that the interview should take place at an early hour, assigned as a reason that the heat of the day might thus be avoided.
The question was now asked as to how many officers would aecompany the Commodore on the occasion, to which they received the answer that he would be followed by a large retinue, since it was the custom of the United States, when an officer of high rank bears a communication from the President to the sovereign of another country, for him to go with such an attendance as will be respectful to the power to which he is sent. Accordingly, the governor was informed that all the officers who could be spared from the squadron would accompany the Commodore, as the greater number would imply the greater compliment.
In the course of the conference the Japanese dignitaries showed their great regard for ceremony by adverting to various minute points of etiquette in reference to the approaching reception. They announced that all the Japanese officers would be clothed in full official costume, and not in the dresses worn on ordinary occasions. They seemed to be considerably troubled because they would not be able to seat their visitors, on the morrow, in the same kind of arın-chair as that then occupied by themselves in the cabin, and apologized for not having such. They were less anxious on the score of the wines and brandies, and begged that they might be excused for not offering the same as they had been regaled with, since the country did not possess them. They were told to dismiss their solicitude on these points; that, as the practice of hospitality, and manners and customs necessarily differed in different countries, it was not reasonable to expect to find American habits prevailing in Japan; and that the Commodore would be satisfied to be seated in the same manner as the dignitary appointed to meet hin, while the other American officers would content themselves with such seats as were provided for their equals in rank among the Japanese.
They then made some inquiries in regard to the minute details of the approaching ceremony, as to whether the Commodore would present the Presi- dent's letter directly from his own hand into that of the Japanese commis- sioner, whose name and title, by the way, were now announced as Toda-Idzu- no-Kami. First Counsellor of the Empire.
It was asked whether the Commodore would immediately return to his ship after delivering the letter, and also when he would come back to Japan to receive an answer. The Chinese interpreter, Mr. Williams, showed them a map or plan of Yedo, which they said must have been drawn some seventy
270
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
years ago, as the capital had changed much since the plan was made, having greatly increased in size, and much improved. They, however, recognized on the plan various places, and pointed them out very readily, as if politely willing to gratify the natural curiosity of their company.
Tile whole conference had lasted about two hours and a half, and when the Japanese functionaries rose to depart it was already evening. They left the ship with the usual polite courtesies, bowing, as usual, at every step; and the chief interpreter Hori Tatznoske, who had evidently a great aptitude for the asquisition of foreign languages, mustered English enough to say very dis- tinctly as he departed, "Want to go home."
The Commodore, in preparing for the coming event of the next morning, summoned his captains, from the several vessels of the squadron, on board the flag-ship. Orders were then given that the vessels should be removed, early in the morning, to an anchorage in line, covering the whole bay, in front of the place of reception, as the Commodore was resolved to be prepared against any possible treachery or duplicity on the part of the people with whom he had to deal, and as the object of the Japanese in the selection of this place of meeting was not very apparent to his mind. It was also ordered that all the officers who could possibly leave the ships should appear in full uniform, and accom- pany the Commodore to the reception, in order that he might present as impos- ing a retinue as practicable. The surveying boats had been kept busy during the day, completing their observations, and were allowed to proceed with their work without any molestation from the native authorities.
The Japanese seemed no less busy in active preparation for the morning's ceremony than the American's. Various government vessels sailed down the bay, and a large fleet of small boats arrived on the Uraga shore from the op- posite coast, evidently preparatory to the approaching occasion. A constant sound of hannners, intermingled with the noisy voices of Japanese laborers, arising as was supposed from the quarter where the building was in progress, disturbed the quiet of the night and was prolonged into the morning watches. All was busy preparing for the coming day.
Thursday (July 14) opened with a sun that was somewhat obscured at early dawn, but which soon came out brightly and dispelled the fogs and clouds which overhung the land and seemed to give an inauspicious aspect to the occasion. As the atmosphere cleared and the shores were disclosed to view, the steady labors of the Japanese during the night were revealed in the showy effect on the Uraga shore. Ornamental screens of cloth had been so arranged as to give a more distinct prominence, as well as the appearance of greater size to the bastions and forts; and two tents had been spread among the trees. The screens were stretched tightly in the usual way upon posts of wood, and each interval between the posts was thus distinctly marked, and had, in the distance, the appearance of panelling. Upon these seeming panels were emblazoned the the imperial arms, alternating with the device of a scarlet flower bearing large heart-shaped leaves. Flags and streamers, upon which were various designs represented in gray colors. hung from the several angles of the screens, while behind them thronged crowds of soldiers, arrayed in a costume which had not been before observed, and which was supposed to belong to high occasions only. The main portion of the dress was a species of frock of a dark color, with short skirts, the waists of which were gathered in with a sash, and which was with out sleeves, the arms of the wearers being bare.
271
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
All on board the ships were alert from the earliest hour, making the nec- essary preparations. Steam was got up and the anchors were weighed that the ships might be moved to a position where their guns could command the place of reception. The sailing vessels, however, because of a calm, were unable to get into position. The officers, ceamen, and marines who were to accompany the Commodore were selected, and as large a number of them mustered as could possible be spared from the whole squadron. All, of course, were eager to bear a part in the ceremonies of the day, but all could not possibly go as a sufficient must be left to do ship's duty. Many of the officers and men were selected by lot, and when the full complement, which amounted to nearly three hundred, was filled np, each one busied himself in getting his person ready for the occa- sion. The officers, as had been ordered, were in full official dress, while the sailors and marines were in their naval and military uniforms of blue and white.
Before eight hells in the morning watch had struck, the Susquehanna and Mississippi moved slowely down the bay. Simultaneously with this movement of our ships, six Japanese boats were observed to sail in the same direction, but more within the land. The government striped flag distinguished two of them, showing the presence of some high officials, while the others carried red banners, and were supposed to have on board a retinue of guard soldiers. On doubling the headland, which separated the former anchorage from the bay below, the preparations of the Japanese on the shore came suddenly into view. The land bordering the head of the bay was gay with a long stretch of painted screens of cloth, upon which was emblaboned the arms of the Emperor. Nine tall standards stood in the centre of an immense number of banners of divers lively colors, which were arranged on either side, until the whole formed a crescent of variously tinted flags, which fluttered brightly in the rays of the morning sun. From the tall standards were suspended broad pennons of rich scarlet which swept the ground with their flowing length. On the beach in front of this display were ranged regiments of soldiers, who stood in fixed order, evidently arrayed to give an appearance of martial force, that the Americans might be duly impressed with the military power of the Japanese.
As the beholder faced the bay, he saw on the left of the village of Gori- Hama a straggling group of peak-roofed houses, built between the beach and the base of the high ground which ran in green acclivities behind and ascended from height to height to the distant mountains. A luxuriant valley or gorge, walled in with richly wooded hills, opened at the head of the bay, and breaking the uniformity of the curve of the shore, gave a beautiful variety to the land- scape. On the right some hundred Japanese boats, or more, were arranged in parallel lines along the margin of the shore, with a red flag flying at the stern of each. The whole effect, though not startling, was novel and cheerful, and everything combined to give a pleasing aspect to the picture. The day was bright, with a clear sunlight which seemed to give fresh vitality alike to the verdant hillsides and the gay banners and the glittering soldiery. Back from the beach, opposite the centre of the curved shore of the bay, the building, just constructed for the reception, rose in three pyramidal-shaped roofs, high above the surrounding houses. It was covered in front by striped cloth, which was extended in screens to either side. It had a new, fresh look, indicative of its recent erection, and with its peaked summits was not unlike, in the distance, a group of very large ricks of grain.
272
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
Two boats approached as the steamers neared the opening of the bay, and when the anchors were dropped they came alongside the Susquehanna. Kayama Yezainan, with his two interpreters, came on board, followed immediately by Nagazima Saboroske and an officer in attendance, who had come in the second boat. They were duly received at the gangway and conducted to seats on the quarter deck. All were dressed in full official costume, somewhat different from their ordinary garments. Their gowns, though of the usual shape, were much more elaborately adorned. The material was of very rich brocade of gay colors, turned up with yellow velvet, and the whole dress was highly embroi- dered with gold lace in various figures, among which was conspicuously dis- played on the back, sleeves, and breast the arms of the wearer. Saboroske, the sub-governor of Uraga, wore a pair of very broad but very short trousers, which, when his legs (which was not often the case) stood still and together, looked very much like a slit petticoat, while below his nether limbs were partly naked and partly covered by black woolen socks. Saboroske, in spite of his elaborate toilette and his finery, all bedizened with gold thread, glossy silk, and gay colors, did not produce a very impressive effect, but by his comical appearance provoked mirth rather than admiration. He had, in fact, very much the appear- ance of an unusually brilliant knave of trumps.
A signal was now hoisted from the Susquehanna as a summons for the boats from the other ships, and in their course of half an hour they had all pulled alongside with their various officers, sailors, and marines, detailed for the day's ceremonies. The launches and cutters numbered no less than fifteen, and presented puite an imposing array; and with all on board them, in proper uniform, a picturesque effect was not wanting. Captain Buchanan, having taken his place in his barge, led the way, flanked on either side by two Japanese boats containing the governor and vice-governor of Uraga with their respective suites; and these dignitaries acted as masters of ceremony and pointed out the course to the American flotilla. The rest of the ships' boats followed after in order, with the cutters containing the two bands of the steamers, who enlivened the occasion with their cheerful music.
The boats skimmed briskly over the smooth waters; for such was the skill and consequent rapidity of the Japanese scullers that our sturdy oarsmen were put to the mettle to keep up with their guides. When the boats had reached half-way to the shore, the thirteen guns of the Susquehanna began to boom away and re-echo among the hills. This announced the departure of the Com- modore, who, stepping into his barge, was rowed off to the land.
The guides in the Japanese boats pointed to the landing place toward the centre of the curved shore, where a temporary wharf had been built out from the beach by means of bags of sand and straw. The advance boat soon touched the spot, and Captain Buchanan, who commanded the party, sprang ashore, being the first of the Americans who landed in the Kingdom of Japan. He was immediately followed by Major Zeilin, of the marines. The rest of the boats now pulled in and disembarked their respective loads. The marines (one hun- dred) marched up the warf and formed into line on either side, facing the sea; then came the hundred sailors, who were also ranged in rank and file as they advanced, while the two bands brought up the rear. The whole number of Americans, including sailors, marines, musicians, and officers, amounted to nearly three hundred; no very formidable array, but still quite enough for a peaceful occasion, and composed of very vigorous, able-bodied men,who con-
273
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
trasted strongly with the smaller and more effeminate-looking Japanese. These latter had mustered in great force, the amount of which the governor of Uraga stated to be five thousand; but, seemingly, they far outnumbered that. Their line extended around the whole circuit of the beach, from the further extremity of the village to the abrupt acclivity of the hill which bounded the bay on the northern side; while an immense number of the soldiers thronged in, behind and under cover of the cloth screens which stretched along rear. The loose order of this Japanese army did not betoken any great degree of discipline. The soldiers were tolerably well armed and equipped. Their Uniforms were very much like the ordinary Japanese dress. Their arms were swords, spears, and match-locks. Those in front were all infantry, archers and lancers; but large bodies of cavalry were seen behind, somewhat in the distance, as if held in reserve. The horses of these seemed of a fine breed, hardy, of good bottom, and brisk in action; and these troopers, with their rich caparisons, presented at least a showy cavalcade. Along the base of the rising ground which ascended behind the village, and entirely in the rear of the soldiers, was a large number of the inhabitants, among whom there was quite an assemblage of women, who gazed with intense curosity, through the openings in the line of the military, upon the stranger visitors from another hemisphere.
On the arrival of the Commodore his suite of officers formed a double line along the landing place, and, as he passed up between, they fell into order be- hind them. The procession was then formed and took up its march toward the house of reception, the route to which was pointed out by Kayama Yezaiman and his interpreter, who preceeded the party. The marines led the way, and, the soldiers followed, the Commodore was duly escorted up the beach. The United States flag and the broad pennant were borne by two athletic seamen, who had been selected from the crews of the squadron on account of their stalwart proportions. Two boys. dressed for the ceremony, preceded the Com- modore, bearing in an envelope of scarlet cloth the boxes which contained his credentials and the President's letter. These documents, of folio size, were beautifully written on vellum, and not folded, but bound in blue silk velvet. Each seal, attached by cords of interwoven gold and silk with pendant gold tassels, was encased in a circular box six inches in diameter and three in depth, wrought of pure gold. Each of the documents, together with its seal, was placed in a box of rosewood about a foot long, with lock, hinges, and mountings, all of gold. On enther side of the Commodore marched a tall, well-formed negro, who, armed to the teeth, acted as his personal guard. These blacks, selected for the occasion, were two of the best-looking fellows of their color that the squadron could furnish. All this, of course, was but for effect.
The procession was obliged to make a somewhat circular movement to reach the entrance of the house of reception. This gave a good opportunity for the display of the escort. The building, which was but a short distance from the landing, was soon reached. In front of the entrance were two small brass canon, which were old and apparently of European manufacture; on either side were grouped a rather straggling company of Japanese guards, whose costume was different from that of the other soldiers. Those on the right were dressed in tunics, gathered in at the waist with broad sashes, and in full trousers of a gray color, the capacious width of which was drawn in at the knees, while their heads were bound with a white cloth in the form of a turban. They were armed with muskets upon which bayonets and flint-locks were observed. The guards
274
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
on the left were dressed in a rather dingy, brown-colored uniform turned up with yellow, and carried old-fashioned match-locks.
The Commodore, having been escorted to the door of the house of reception, entered with his suite. The building showed marks of hasty erection, and the timbers and boards of pine wood were numbered, as if they had been fashioned previously and brought to the spot all ready to put together. The first portion of the structure entered was a kind of tent, principally constructed of painted canvass, upon which in various places the imperial arms was painted. Its area enclosed a space of nearly forty feet square. Beyond this entrance hall was an inner apartment to which a carpeted path led. The floor of the outer room was generally covered with white cloth, but through its centre passed a slip of red-colored carpet, which showed the direction to the interior chamber. This latter was entirely carpeted with red cloth, and was the state apartment of the building where the reception was to take place. Its floor was somewhat raised, like a dais, above the general level, and handsomely adorned for the occasion. Violet-colored hangings of silk and fine cotton, with the imperial coat-of-arms embroidered in white, hung from the walls which enclosed the inner room, on three sides, while the front was left open to the antechamber or outer room.
As the Commodore and his suite ascended to the reception room, the two dignitaries who were seated on the left arose and bowed, and the Commodore and suite were conducted to the arm-chairs which had been provided for them on the right. The interpreters announced the names and titles of the high Japanese functionaries as Toda-Idzu-no-kami, Toda, prince of Idzu, and Ido- Iwamilnolkami, Ido, prince of Iwami. They were both men of advanced years, the former apparently about fifty, and the latter some ten of fifteen years older. Prince Toda was the better-looking man of the two, and the intellectual expres- sion of his large forehead and amiable look of his regular features contrasted very favorably with the more wrinkled and contracted and less intelligent face of his associate, the prince of Iwami. They were both very richly dressed, their garments being heavily silk brocade interwoven with elaborately wrought figures in gold and silver.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.