the way, through the Dutch factory at Deshima, for a friendly reception by the Japanese court. The Dutch government acted favorably upon the request, and directed its East India authorities to send instructions to that end, but it appears that Commodore Perry reached Japan and concluded his mission before the instructions were received at Deshima. It is also known that upon the first public intimation of the expedition, the Dutch government prepared a draft of a treaty and forwarded it to Nagasaki, with a view to anticipate the work of Commodore Perry, but the Japanese government refused to consider it.
The preparations for the voyage, made with care and deliberation, were finally concluded, and the President, accompanied by members of his cabinet and a distinguished company, paid a visit to Annapolis to bid the commodore farewell. The day before he put to sea a dinner was given him in Washington by a large number of his friends and well-wishers, including the Secretary of State and other cabinet officers, senators, members of Congress, and prominent citizens, at which, in response to various queries, the commodore gave some indication of his plans and proposed operations. One of the members of the dinner party, writing many years after the event, said: "It was apparent that all present were well convinced that the Commodore fully comprehended the difficulties and the delicate character of the work before him." On November 24, 1852, he sailed from Norfolk and passed the capes on his long voyage to open the doors of the Land of the Rising Sun.[1]
- ↑ S. Ex. Doc. 34, cited, 20; U. S. Japan Expedition, by Commodore
