Japan and the Japanese

492 JAPAN. A. D. 18171850.
On the 27th of July, 1837, the chain of islands was made lead-
ing up to the bay of Jedo, up which the Morrison proceeded some
thirty miles, to Uragawa, the west coast of the bay, rising hill above
hill, and the view terminating in the lofty peak of Fusi. . Near
Uragawa, many of the hills were cultivated in terraces, but the
general aspect of the shores was bleak and barren. Just above, the
passage was narrowed by two points of land projecting from oppo-
site directions.
Having anchored about three quarters of a mile from the shore,
the ship was soon visited by a number of boats. Their crews, some
two hundred in number, and evidently of the lower class, hardly
geemed to understand the Chinese writing in which provisions, water,
and a government officer to communicate with, were asked for.
They seemed, however, to invite a landing; but during the night
cannon were planted on the nearest eminence, and, though the firing
was unskilful, the Morrison was obliged to weigh. She was pursued
by three gun-boats, each with thirty or forty men, which bore
down upon her, firing swivels ; but when she lay to to wait for
them, they retired. A piece of canvas, on which was painted, in
Chinese, that a foreign ship desired to return some shipwrecked
natives,- and to obtain some provisions and water, was thrown over-
board ; but, though it was picked up, no notice was taken of it.
The Japanese on board, who had recognized the shores of their
country with delight, were much mortified at the result, which they
ascribed in part to their not having been allowed to communicate
with their countrymen.
For the purpose of making a second experiment, on the 20th of
August the Morrison entered the bay of Kangosima, in the princi-
pality of Satsuma. The shores, rising gradually from the water,
were under high cultivation. A boat from the ship boarded a
Japanese fishing-vessel, and proceeded to a little village, where
they found the people in great commotion. The Morrison followed,
and, when opposite the village, was yisited by a richly-dressed
officer, with a number of almost naked attendants. He stated that,
supposing the ship to be a pirate, preparations had been made to
fire on her ; but, satisfied by the representations of the Japanese
on board of the true state of the case, he received, with much apparent
interest, the despatches prepared for the prince of Satsuvua