If the boats are likely to be overcrowded, the numbers of the crew may be reduced.
About 11 o’clock in the morning of the 8th, preparation being complete, twenty-nine boats of the different ships, with officers and crews armed and equipped agreeably to the order, were formed in a line abreast according to rank of commanders, and pulled ashore, presenting a beautiful sight. The number landing, including officers, was about five hundred. The commodore not long after, left the flag-ship in a white barge, under a minister’s salute of seventeen great guns from the Macedonian, he going ashore in the capacity of “Special Ambassador.” On reaching the beach, as before, he was received by his officers, and with American national airs from the bands. The column of escort was then formed, and all marched to the reception-house—a short distance. A large field around the buildings had been screened off with striped cotton cloth, of black and white, while the common people of the village were kept back by ropes, extending from a growth of fine trees to the water’s edge. A Japanese guard of honor with lances, were drawn up on the right in rear of our line of marines and sailors, and a cordon of the sharp government boats lined the beach to the left.
The high officers, who had been appointed to treat with Commodore Perry, were:
Hayashi Daigaku, no-kami; chief commissioner to form the treaty, and member of council.
Ido, Prince of Tsu-Sima, second commissioner.
Izawa, Prince of Mima Saki, third commissioner.
Tsudzuki Suruga, no-kami, Prince of Suruga, fourth commissioner.
Udono, Mimbu Sheyoyu, member of board of revenue, fifth commissioner.
Takenoüchi Shitaro, member of board of revenue, sixth commissioner.
Matsusaki Michitaro, seventh commissioner.
The chief Japanese interpreter was Moriyama Yenoske, and Hori Tatsnoske, and Namura Gohachiro, were two other interpreters. “No-kami” means a very learned man; one into whose head no more information can be gotten.
The first, second, third, fifth, and seventh commissioners acted.
On entering the hall, the commodore was received by the five commissioners. The party being seated, the flag of Japan was run up on board the Powhatan, and saluted with twenty-one guns from the launches, after which another salute of seventeen guns was given to the Japanese high commissioners, which the Japanese say, they took as a great compliment.