The Japan Expedition (August, 1853)

Source: The Polynesian. Honolulu: Saturday, August 6 1853. Page 50

The United States squadron, under the command of Commodore Perry, consisting of the steam frigate Susquehana, Com. Buchanan, of nine guns, and 350 men; the steam frigate Mississippi, Com. Lee, of ten guns and 375 men; and the sloop of war Plymouth, Capt. John Kelly, were at last accounts, May 7, at anchor in the harbor of Shanghae. The North China Herald of that date says:

"It is understood that the steamers of the United States Japan squadron, now in port, will shortly sail for Japan, and be joined there by the other vessels of the squadron. Commodore Perry, we hear, will hoist his flag on board the Susquehana on Monday, May 9. He is accompanied by Dr. S.W. Williams, of Canton, as interpreter. The Peruvian bark Caprice has been chartered by the Commodore as a despatch vessel to the Japan Expedition."

The Japan Expedition (June, 1853)

Source: The Polynesian. Honolulu: Saturday, June 11, 1853. Page 18

The rumor that this Expedition has been countermanded is denied by the official organ at Washington. All the vessels of the Expedition had sailed, except the large 74 ship Vermont and steamer Allegany, which could not beset out. The fleet which includes three steamers and four frigates, would rendezvous at Hong Kong in June or July.

From the Washington Union, April 8th.

A rumor has been recently circulated by a portion of the public press to the effect that this interesting expedition either has been, or is about to be, countermanded by the present Secretary of the Navy. We learn, from the best authority, that all such rumors are entirely unfounded in fact. On the contrary, the administration is making every effort to give a proper aid in carrying out the important objects of the expedition and in fulfilling the public expectation in regard to it.

It appears to have been the intention of the late administration to place under the command of Commodore M.C. Perry, as the Commander-in-Chief of the United States naval force in the East India and China seas, and with a view of his contemplated visit to Japan, the following vessels, viz.: one-ship-of-the-line the Vermont; three steamer frigates, the Susquehana, the Mississippi and the Powhatan; one first class steamer, the Alleghany; and four sloops-of-war, the Macedonan, the Saratoga, the Plymouth and the Vandalia; to be accompanied by two store-ships, the Supply and the Southampton.

This force, with the exception of the Vermont, the Macedonian and the Alleghany, is now assembling at Macao. The last named vessel is now in the hands of mechanics, and it is uncertain when her preparation will be completed. The Vermont is ready to receive her crew; but such is the condition of the recruiting service that it is wholly impossible to say when, if at all, a crew of 800 men for her can be collected. Besides this, the number of men of all classes, employed in our naval service having been limited by law to 7,500, and Congress having failed at its last session to grant to the Navy Department the authority which it asked to enlarge that number, and no means having been appropriated for that purpose, the withdrawal of the Vermont from Commodore Perry's squadron has become unavoidable, because, in addition to the force already in commission, she cannot now be manned without exceeding the number of seamen prescribed by law. It is probable, also, that the necessary delay in preparing the Alleghany for sea may render her services unavailable for the expedition. This, however, will not interfere with the contemplated visit of Commodore Perry to Japan, with a force amply sufficient and well provided for the successful accomplishment of the object of his mission. 

Arrival of the Susquehana in Honolulu (1854)

Source: The Polynesian. Saturday, October 21, 1854.

The U.S. Steam Frigate Susquehana, with the Store Ship Southampton in tow, sailed from Hongkong on the 4th day of September last, bound to Simoda, Japan, where she arrived on the morning of the 15th. The Southampton arrived on the 17th, having parted her hawsers in a heavy blow on the 18th. The Susquehana remained in port about ten days, taking in coals and water, her officers having daily intercourse with the shore and town; of their impressions, a more particular account will be given below. The ship left Shinoda on 24th September, bound to Honolulu, (leaving in port the U.S. S. Frigate Mississippi and store ship Southampton, also bound to the same port, to sail in about a week,) where she arrived on the 17th October, having accomplished the entire distance under steam, with but very little assistance from her sails, a feat hitherto unparalleled. The Susquehana all remain at Honolulu about one week and then sail direct for San Francisco. The S. will have been four years in commission in December next; during the whole of this period she has been actively engaged cruising in the China and Japan Seas. - At one time, when placed at the disposal of the Hon. R. M. McLane, U.S. Commissioner to China, she ascended the Yang-tse-Kiang River as far as the City of Woohoo, a point never before reached by any ship, and seventy miles above the termination of the English survey of that river. The following is a

List of Officers of the Susquehana.

COMMANDER-FRANKLIN BUCHANAN.
LIEUTENANTS-Thos. T. Hunter, Napoleon Collins, J. Hogan Brown, Jno K. Duer, Geo. H. Cooper.
SURGEON-John S. Messersmith; Ass. do., Chas. F. Fahs.
PURSER-G.R. Barry.
CHAPLAIN-E.C. Bittenger.
MASTER-Reuben Harris.
MARINE OFFICER-Capt. W.B. Slack.
MIDSHIPMEN-R.L. May, E.C. Hawley.
ENGINEERS-Chief, S. Archibold; 1st Assistants, G.F. Hebard, H.H. Stewart; 2do., E. Filtrian, J.C. E. Lawrence; 3d do, T.A. Shock, A Henderson, S.D. Hibbert.
ACTING BOATSWAIN-Jno. Collins.
GUNNER-C.B. Oliver.
CARPENTER-John Green.

The following gentlemen also came as passengers:

COMMANDER-C. Ringgold, late Com. U.S. Ex. Ex. E.A. LeKoy, Bearer of Despatches, T.C. Stuart, Sec., U.S. Ex. Ex.

The following observations have been furnished us from the Susquehana, which will be of interest to our readers:

"The change we noticed on our late visit to the port of Simoda, Japan, was most striking to us all, when we reflect for a moment upon the exclusive policy and disposition of the people during our first two visits. Then the utmost suspicion and indisposition to foreign intercourse prevailed among all, particularly among the officers and higher classes. Even the ladies have lost much of the reserve and diffidence, which formerly characterized them, and prevented us from having a sight of them. Indeed, it was not unusual to see officers sitting in the houses with several ladies and gentlemen around them,- the former frequently playing a native guitar, or else earnestly engaged in conversation, eager to learn the English names of things, and the manners and customs of the people of our own country; and some expressing a warm desire soon to be able to visit the land of their new acquaintances. 

We were permitted to go to the country to any distance we wished, and there the peasants were found just as friendly and sociable as they were in the town, and always greeted us as friends.

There town of Simoda is situated upon a small bay of the same name, -the houses mostly well built, clean and comfortable. As soon as a vessel appears in the offing, one of the pilots appointed by Com. Perry, goes out and takes her into port. The harbor master then goes on board to ascertain whether the vessel is moored in a secure position, and to render any services in his power. The interpreters, Totonoski and Totsitchilo, with some other officers, soon after go on board also, through whom any thing can be obtained which the place affords. The former speaks the Dutch language to perfection, and the English very well; the latter speaks the Dutch only.  The harbormaster furnishes excellent wood and water at the shortest notice, and for the most reasonable prices.

In the town are numerous stores , containing silks, satins, beautiful crape, every variety of lacquered ware, porcelain of the finest quality, tobacco, cut and leaf, and numerous other manufactured articles. These the people are very willing to sell, and at fair rates. They are purchased directly from merchants, then sent to the custom house, where they are paid for in silver or American gold coin. Eggs, chickens, sweet potatoes, egg-plants and various other vegetables can also be obtained. 

The foreign articles they most prefer are the light wines, brandy, loaf sugar, pilot bread, salt meats, particular hams, all kinds of cutlery and fancy wares. Cloth and cotton stuffs most likely would find a market also, from the great fancy they take to those they saw. 

The Treaty of Kanagawa (Hawaii Editorial) 1854

Source: The Polynesian. Saturday, September 9, 1854.

On the 1st of May last we announced in an Extra the arrival of the Saratoga, with a bearer of detaches from Com. Perry to the government at Washington. The treaty itself which had been concluded between the Commissioners of the two governments, was not made public, and some of its provisions were not clearly apprehended at that time. It has now appeared in the public prints, and we give it in full on our first page this week. It was unanimously confirmed by the Senate of the United States on the 15th of July, and only awaits the exchange of ratifications, to become a law of the two countries.

It will be observed that the port of Shimoda is to be opened immediately on the signing of the treaty, while that of Hakodade will not be opened until a year after that event. In this particular the treaty is more favorable tun our first information led us to anticipate. 

There are some imperfections in the treaty which it would have been well to haste rectified, before the ratifications were exchanged; but it is quite probable that the fear of causing delay, or of losing what has really been gained, induced the Senate to confirm it as it was, rather than hazard all by attempted amendment. For instance, Article 3rd stipulates that the Japanese shall assist the crews of American vessels wrecked on the Japan coast, and convey them to Simoda or Hakodade, and adds, "the expenses incurred in the rescue and support of Americans and Japanese, who may thus be thrown upon the shores of either country, shall not be refunded." As nothing had been previously said respecting Japanese sailors wrecked upon the American coast, it may be a matter of dispute whether Japanese sailors, wrecked on the shores of Oregon or California, are to be returned to Simoda or Hakodade, at the expense of the American government, or at what other point they are to be delivered. 

Article 4th, also stipulates  that "citizens of the United States shall be free as in other countries," while Article 5th restricts them "within the limits of seven Japanese miles."  This restriction may cause trouble, if the liberty allowed in the former article is insisted upon; and it would have possibly prevented all ground of disagreement and collision, had the wording of the treaty been more carefully attended to.

But with these defects, -which may in part be occasioned by a defective translation from a difficult language not very thoroughly understood by any foreigners, -the treaty reflects great credit upon Com. Perry and the government he represents; and his skills in diplomacy, by which he overcame so many obstacles, may well be commended, as a higher order. He has accomplished a most desirable object in a most exemplary manner, and without the employment of any means which might cause himself or his country to blush, when investigated or made public. 

Should the working of true details be found troublesome, it can be remedied at leisure, and it may be found conducive to the interests of both nations before many years, to substitute, for this treaty of amity and friendship, one of commerce, which shall more fully open that interesting country to the commerce of the world in a much more effective manner than the present treaty proposes to do.

A great achievement has been accomplished by Com. Perry, in a peaceful way, and at a trifling expense; and that, too, without exciting the hatred of the Japanese. Greater privileges might possibly have been secured had an unjust war been waged, at the expense of many millions of dollars, and a treaty dictated under the menace of a force capable of inflicting still greater injury. But the present treaty, although it does not secure all that might be desired, leaves no sting behind, to rankle in the hearts of the Japanese.