But while the fleet was well adapted to excite the respect as well as the admiration of the people, they still had but one idea of the white race, and that was that it was animated by greed only, and so would submit, as the Dutch had done, to every indignity to accomplish their ends. And it was the not unnatural pleasure of this curious people to inflict indignities on traders.
It was therefore with astonishment mixed with rapidly growing respect that they became acquainted with the envoy of the American nation. For it was a curious fact (curious to us) that this representative of a people who believe all men born free and equal was the first to insist on the Japanese recognizing distinctions in rank among Americans. The representative of a people who believe in observing no other forms than those that preserve the rights and comforts of the individual, and despise formalities exacted for form’s sake, compelled the Japanese to the observance of the most respectful formalities in their intercourse with him.
View of Uraga. Yeddo Bay.
From a lithograph in Perry’s “Narrative.”
As the squadron steamed up the bay, boat after boat bearing official flags put out from the shore, but they were wholly ignored by the Yankee commodore. And when the ships had come to anchor and the little officials from the shore came alongside, the lines of their boats were cut as fast as the crews tried to make fast to the war-ships, and the officials themselves, who were so bold as to try climbing on board, were driven back—in some cases knocked back—into their boats, while an interpreter informed them that only the very highest official would be admitted.
Then came one who was manifestly of no little importance, though not of the highest rank. By motions he let it be known that he wanted a gangway lowered. He was ignored until he showed an order for the ships to leave the harbor immediately, when the interpreter informed him that no communication could be held with such a low-grade fellow as he was. At that, somewhat humbled, he asked that someone of a rank corresponding to him might be delegated to receive him, and after a delay that was long enough to make him think no one cared very much for the matter, a lieutenant was assigned to listen to him and he was permitted to come on board.
A Japanese Junk.
From a lithograph in Perry’s “Narrative.”