“I am ready to continue,” he said.
“Very well. You may deliver your letters to the Emperor of Japan,” responded Catzu, with great dignity.
At a sign from Perry, two cabin-boys who had remained in the ante-chamber came up the central aisle, closely followed by two huge negroes in marine dress. The boys carried silver and gold salvers, upon which rested the richly set gold boxes containing the documents signed by Millard Fillmore, President of the United States of America, asking consideration of a treaty for open ports.
As the boys reached the red-lacquered box at the head of the hall they stood upon either side, while the negroes stopped between them. Lifting the letter receptacles from the salvers, the negroes deposited them in the red chest indicated by an aide of Catzu. This done, they retreated down the aisle.
“All is now done,” said Catzu. “Permit me to inquire when your excellency will return for an answer.”
“In some months’ time,” was Perry’s thoughtful reply.
“We need not detain you longer,” said the commissioner. “Permit us to express our gratification at meeting you and our compliments for your courtesy.”
The American commodore acknowledged the deep obeisance with which the commissioners and their staffs now favored him with a bow as courtly and dignified as their own.
Then foreigners and Japanese filed out from the Treaty House of Yokohama.