While the treaty negotiations were going on the American officers and artisans were busy in unpacking the presents and explaining their operation. The telegraph wire was stretched, and offices opened at either end, from which messages were sent in English, Japanese, and Dutch, greatly to the amazement and curiosity of the dignitaries and people, who daily crowded the buildings. A circular railway was constructed and the Lilliputian locomotive and train of cars were operated to the wonder and delight of the throng of spectators. These inventions, the steam engines of the vessels, and the manœuvres of the marines, deeply impressed the Japanese with the marvelous power and genius of their visitors.
The Japanese officers had been hospitably received on their various visits to the ships, and had become quite accustomed to American dishes, and were especially partial to champagne and the other liquors served them. When the negotiations were practically completed, the commodore invited the Japanese commissioners, the attendant officials, and interpreters to a banquet on board the flagship. Great good-fellowship prevailed, and as the wine was freely used, the toasts became frequent on the part of some of the Japanese, who grew quite hilarious over the peaceful termination of the negotiations.
At last the treaty was agreed upon and ready for signature, and the ceremony of signing took place at the hall of conference on March 31, 1854. Commodore Perry signed and delivered to the commissioners three copies of the treaty in the English language, and
