in advance of the date fixed for its return. It was an impressive sight as it moved up the bay. No such martial array had ever been seen in Japanese waters. It was an unmistakable evidence of the earnestness of the United States. The city of Uraga was passed, no heed being paid to the government junks from which officials sought to communicate, and not until they had left behind them the reception place of the President's letter, and had reached the distance of twelve miles above Uraga, did they come to anchor.
The government boats, which had been waived aside in the lower bay, approached with a high Japanese official and interpreters. They were received by one of the captains designated by the commodore, he pursuing the policy of his last visit of holding intercourse only with a dignitary of equal rank specially nominated by the emperor. The official stated that the imperial orders were that the fleet should be treated with the utmost kindness, and that commissioners had been appointed to negotiate with "the Admiral." He said that the place fixed by the emperor for the conference was at Kamakura, in the outer bay. The commodore instructed his representative to reply that he would not return to the lower bay, and that if the commissioners were not willing to treat with him opposite his present anchorage, he would proceed with the fleet to Yedo and ask to negotiate there.
Some time was spent in daily visits to the flagship, discussing the place of meeting. The fact was that the court of Yedo had decided to make the best terms possible with the foreign commander, and to comply at
