pt was given, ending with the following words: "Because the place
is not designed to treat of anything from foreigners, so neither can
conference nor entertainment take place. The letter being received, you
will leave here."

"I shall return again, probably in April or May, for an answer," said
the commodore, on receiving the receipt.

"With all the ships?" asked the interpreter.

"Yes, and probably with more," was the reply.

This said, the commodore rose and departed, the commissioners standing,
but not another word being uttered on either side. As if to indicate to
his hosts how little he regarded the curt order to leave, the commodore
proceeded in the Susquehanna up the bay to the point the Mississippi had
reached. Here he dropped anchor, the spot being afterwards known as the
"American anchorage." On the following day he sent the Mississippi ten
miles higher up, a point being reached within eight or ten miles of the
capital. Three or four miles in advance a crowded mass of shipping was
seen, supposed to lie at Sinagawa, the southern suburb of Yedo. On the
16th the vessels moved down the bay, and on the following day they stood
out to sea, no doubt greatly to the relief of the Japanese officials.

In consequence of the death of the shogun, which took place soon after,
Perry did not return for his answer until the following year, casting
anchor again in the Bay of Yedo on February 12, 1854. He had now a
larger fleet, consisting of three steam-frigates, four sloops-of-war,
and two store-ships. Entering the bay, they came to anchor at the point
known as the "American anchorage."

And now a debate arose as to where the ceremonies of reception should
take place. The Japanese wished the commodore to withdraw to a point
down the bay, some twenty miles below Uragawa. He, on the contrary,
insisted on going to Yedo, and sent boats up to within four miles of
that city to sound the channel. Finally the village of Yokohama,
opposite the anchorage of the ships, was fixed upon.

On the 8th of March the first reception took place, great formality
being observed, though this time light refreshments were offered. Two
audiences a week were subsequently held, at one of which, on March 13,
the American presents were delivered. They consisted of cloths,
agricultural implements, fire-arms, and other articles, the most
valuable being a small locomotive, tender, and car, which were set in
motion on a circular track. A mile of telegra