the bay, five or six miles to the north of us. Near the middle of it rose a low mound, on which, by the aid of a glass, we could discern a number of soldiers, clustered around some white objects, which I took to be tents. In a short time several hundred men were marched down to the beach, where they formed a line nearly half a mile in length. At least fifty banners, of various colors and devices, were planted along the line. A number of Government boats, similar to those which had visited us, were drawn up on the beach. The greater part of the soldiers embarked in the boats, which put off, one after another, and made directly across the bay. We saw nothing more until 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when the Mississippi made her appearance, at a distance of ten miles. The headland of Urága was crowded with soldiers, who came out to see her pass.

From some of the officers who were of the party, I learned the following particulars: In ascending the bay, they were constantly met by Government boats, the officers in which urged them, by signs, to return. They kept on their course, however, until Mr. Bent endeavored to proceed to the head of a deep bay on the western coast. Here he was met by fortyfive Japanese boats, which placed themselves in front of him, to intercept his progress. He ordered his men to lay on their oars and fix bayonets to their muskets, but this produced no impression. As the Mississippi was more than two miles astern, he dispatched one of the boats to summon her, and then, ordering half his men to pull directly towards the Japanese boats, while the other half held their arms in readiness, he steadily approached their line. They made signs and threatening gestures, to which he paid no heed, and as this cutter al

most touched their oars, they gave way, overawed by what must have seemed to them an insane determination. The approach of the Mississippi soon dispersed the whole of them.

The boats every where obtained deep soundings, with a bottom of soft mud. The furthest point reached was ten or twelve miles from our anchorage. The shores were bold and steep, with mountains in the background, and the bay (to which Lieut. Bent gave the name of Perry's Bay) offered a secure and commodious anchorage. On her return, the Mississippi came down the centre of the bay, finding every where abundance of water.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

THE FIRST LANDING IN JAPAN.

The Day of Landing-Preparations on Shore-The Bight of Gori-hama--Japanese Military Display-Arrival of the Governors-Their Official Dresses-Precautions on Board-The Procession of Boats-An Inspiring Scene-The Landing-Numbers of the Escort-The Japanese Troops-The Commodore's Landing-March to the House of Reception-Japanese Body-Guard-The Hall of Andience-Two Japanese Princes-Delivery of the President's Letter-An Official Conversation-Return to the Squadron.

Ir was finally arranged with the Japanese officials, that the President's letter should be delivered on Thursday morning, July 14, at the town of Gori-hama, two miles south of Urága.

The morning was heavy and dark before sunrise, but soon afterwards cleared off brilliantly. As soon as the shore could be distinguished, it was seen that the principal battery on the promontory of Urága had been greaty amplified and adorned by screens of cotton canvas, in honor of the occasion. On the hill above, among the trees, there were two small forts, or rather pavilions, of the same material. The canvas was stretched along a row of stakes so as to form a species of panelling, on which the Imperial coat-of-arms was painted, alternating with other devices. Behind the canvas we could see that numerous companies of soldiers were drawn up in different costume from

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that which they usually wore. Their arms were bare, and the body covered with a short tunic of a dark-brown, blue or purple color, bound with a girdle at the waist.

About eight o'clock the anchors were lifted, and the Susquehanna and Mississippi moved slowly down the Bay, leaving the Plymouth and Saratoga. We soon saw two boats bearing the Government flag pulling abreast of us, but further in shore, and accompanied by four other boats with red banners, probably containing a military escort. As the bight opened behind the promontory, we saw a long line of canvas walls, covered with the Imperial crest, stretching quite around the head of the bight. In front were files of soldiers, standing motionless on the sandy beach. A multitude of banners of various brilliant colors gleamed in the sun. Near the centre of the crescent formed by the troops, were planted nine tall standards-four on one side and five on the other-from which broad scarlet pennons hung to the ground. In the rear of these three new pyramidal roofs showed that a house had been prepared expressly for the Commodore's reception. On the right, upwards of fifty or sixty boats were drawn up in a line parallel to the beach, each having a red flag at its stern. From the head of the bight a narrow valley extended inland between luxuriantly wooded hills. On the left side was a pic turesque little town, the name of which the Japanese informed us, was Gori-hama. The place was undoubtedly chosen, both on account of its remoteness from Urága, which is a port of customs, and the facility which it afforded to the Japanese for the exhibition of a large military force-a measure dictated alike by their native caution, and the love of display for which they are noted.

The anchor was no sooner down, than the two Governinent boats sculled alongside, and Yezaimon, with the Interpreters, Tatsonoske and Tokoshiuro, came on board. The second boat contained the Deputy Governor, Saboroske, and an attendant officer. They were accommodated with seats on the quarter-deck until all our preparations for landing were completed. They were dressed, as they had hinted the day previous, in official garments of rich silk brocade, bordered with velvet. The gowns differed little in form from those they ordinarily wore, but were elaborately embroidered, and displayed a greater variety of gay colors than taste in their disposal. Saboroske had a pair of short and very wide pantaloons, resembling a petticoat with a seam up the middle, below which appeared his bare legs, and black woollen socks, with an effect rather comical than otherwise. His shoulders contained lines of ornament in gold thread. All the officers wore their crest, or coat-of-arms, embroidered upon the back, sleeves and breasts of their gar

ments.

The boats of the Mississippi, Plymouth and Saratoga, were alongside in less than half an hour after our anchor dropped, and preparations were made for leaving at once. Both steamers lay with their broadsides to the shore, and the decks were cleared, the guns primed and pointed, ready for action, in case of treachery. Commanders Kelly and Lee remained on board their respective ships, in order to act in case of necessity. The morning was very bright and clear, and the fifteen launches and cutters, containing the officers, seamen, marines, and bandsmen, presented a brilliant appearance, as they clustered around our starboard gangway. Commander Buchanan took the lead, in his barge, with one of the Japanese Government