pronounced by the interpreters. The letters were then brought forward by the boys, the gold boxes opened by the two negroes, the letter and the credentials, engrossed on vellum, tastefully bound, with seals attached by gold chains, were taken out and held up before the princes, and then laid upon the lid of the scarlet lacquered box which the Japanese had prepared for their reception. The governor then kneeling replaced the documents in their cases and deposited them in the lacquered box. All this was done in silence, not a word being spoken.
The commodore then directed his interpreter to explain to the Japanese interpreter the character of the documents. After this was done, the governor upon his knees received from Prince Iwami a roll, with which he passed over to the commodore, and again falling upon his knees delivered it to him. It was a receipt signed by the Japanese princes, with a statement that no further business could be transacted at Uraga, but at Nagasaki, and that the fleet would be expected to depart. After a few minutes' silence, the commodore told the interpreter to inform the Japanese that in view of the importance of the business to be considered, he would leave in two or three days, but that he would return to the same place the following spring to receive the answer of the emperor. The governor asked if the commodore would return with all his vessels. "All of them," answered the commodore, "and probably more, as these are only a portion of the squadron." And thus closed the reception, which was of the most formal character possible, the Japanese
