Heidi+D

Dear Pope a letter from within sight of Tokyo ought to be worth the postage-those not written before, for reasons to numerous to mention-Now I am able to report the entire success of our expedition-The American flag is flying on a purchased coal depot at Napa-in the Loo Choo island-and a train likewise heard it wind around a circular railroad, at the rate of 40 miles an hour. Only about 12 miles distant from the imperial city of Tokyo.

The articles of a commercial treaty with Japan have been drawn up and readily agreed to by the various members of the government. This will be formally signed on the 24th…All our presents have been received; and …Ten large launches will be sent tomorrow to receive…intended for the president –

This has been accomplished in about six weeks –a remarkable speed considering the Japanese are by no means a fast people-The history of the negations is briefly the following-

About the last of January the first division-the sailing ships, left Napa for Japan –the steam boats followed a week later-the route up is among coral and volcanic islands and reefs-…near Japan…the volcano on…one island was throwing up volcanic vapor-

We entered the Tokyo bay, the wrong buy first- and luckily-for we found the Macedonian ship on shore-the Mississippi tug boat steamer soon tugged the Macedonian off without damage-The extinct-or at present inactive volcano of foosi was here near us about 1300 feet high-covered with snow-as were all the high ranges oh hills.

February 7.we entered Tokyo bay-it was a lovely wintery day-the air cool-the sun bright-and the sky cloudless-the 3 huge steamer ships each had a ship in tow-the country was beautifully covered with hills-…the lower hills cultivated to the tops –and valleys filled with crops of wheat and bean sprouts As we approach Gorihama and Uragu- after a large city-the shores were lined with canvas tents and filled with soldiers-Here the commodore Matthew Perry’s first meeting took place in July-we passed on, undisturbed in single line-and finally anchored about 30 miles up the bay-near Webster island-found the Southampton(ship or steamer) –captain Julius Boyle already there-the Japanese officials soon came aboard and wished the commodore to go back to uraga–whe4e a council chamber had been erected to receive him-Several days passed in discussion on this point-Finally the commodore dispatched the Vandalia-Captain Pope-to examine the anchorage at Uraga-bad weather detained him four or five days-Meanwhile surveying parties were landing towards Tokyo-The Vandalia did not return-The commodore got impatient-and moved the group of naval vessels up to within 7 miles of Tokyo-The next day the Vandalia returned and it was finally decided that the interviews should take place at this place two or three miles back from the last anchorage. Where a good beach and deep water –permitted the ships to approach near to cover the landing- The council house was brought up from Uraga-others were erected to receive the presents-and afield were cleared for the rail road-The ground landing took place-The Emperor and the Japanese negotiators duly saluted-the business They said they were happy to see us-The old Emperor had died-but the new one-Akihito-had been highly gratified at the Presidents letter and was desirous to grant all he wished- That the government had revoked the old law of non intercourse-that they felt the time had arrived to change the policies-they knew all that was going on in the world-though they did not mingle in it-they wished to take a becoming place in the family of nations-but the must proceed slowly at first-they had counted last year 168 American ships pas their Strait of Snagan-they had seen our great warships-and more wonderful than all our huge ships-we were a great people-and we must be a good-peaceable people-for nearly all our presents were implements of peace-By and by they would treat with other nations-but our President had offered them the hand of friendship and they would attend to us first- Every day…the officers attended the negotiations-or rather in the suite-the negotiations retired for business into a private room-Liberal entertainment was daily provided for us and they were likewise entertain board ship-The phone is up aand already talks to them in Japanese-. We have strolled around among the villages near-but….shore going is not to take place until after the treaty is signed-they are a law abiding people-and evidently accustomed to its most absolute exercise-the middle and poorer people are impatient to a fraternize most cordially-The million people here live to about 85-they are the happiest and healthiest looking people I have ever seen.