all the streets of a city of more than a million souls, made confusion worse confounded."[1]
Immediately after the ships anchored they were surrounded by numerous boats, and many of their inmates attempted to get on board, but, in accordance with previous instructions, they were not allowed. One of the most conspicuous of the boats, in which was apparently a person of distinction, was permitted alongside the flagship. Its occupant proved to be the vice-governor of Uraga, who asked to see the commander of the squadron. He was told the commander would confer with no one except a functionary of the highest rank. This was in line with the course which Perry had marked out for himself, to wit, to demand as a right, not solicit as a favor, those acts of courtesy due from one civilized nation to another; to disregard the acts and threats of the authorities, if in the least respect in conflict with the dignity of the American flag; to practice a little of Japanese diplomacy by allowing no one on board the ships except officers having business, and they only on the flagship; and by personally conferring with no one except an official of the highest rank in the empire.
Hence the vice-governor was received by the commodore's aide. His mission was to inquire the object of the visit, and to say that business with foreigners could be transacted only at Nagasaki, and that the ships must go there. It was explained that the squadron had come on a friendly mission to Japan, with a letter from the President of the United States to the emperor; that the
- ↑ Perry's Expedition, 231, 232; Nitobe's Intercourse U. S. and Japan, 1, 46.
