11/15/2022 0 Comments Age of rebellion maps![]() ![]() Still, the Americans never realized that they had been negotiating with a mere shogun. His diplomatic mission had officially established the United States' presence in Asia. He accepted the favorable reply to Fillmore's letter and visited several Japanese ports before beginning the long voyage home. In February 1854, Perry returned to Edo with eight ships. Forming a treaty with the Americans, they reasoned, would prevent another European power from imposing even greater concessions. The Japanese shogunate decided to grant the minor trade concessions that President Fillmore asked for in his letter. Perry impressed the Japanese officials with his diplomacy and with the technological superiority of his ships and weapons. He presented Toda with the president's letter, enclosed in a rosewood box trimmed with gold, and announced that he would return for the emperor's answer in the spring. With cannon salutes and a marching band, Perry led a parade of marines to meet the Japanese delegation. Then he alone, with an interpreter who spoke Dutch, was allowed to come over the Susquehanna's side.Īfter several more days of haggling, a suitable representative, "Prince" Toda, arrived in Uraga. Still none were permitted until we were fully convinced that a high officer was in one of the boats. None of the boats were permitted to come alongside any ship in the Squadron, though they all appeared quite anxious to go alongside the Flagship. They were propelled by from ten to twenty oars each with generally two or three men at each oar. They were all fantastically decorated with flags and banners. The daimyo instructed the samurai to ride to the castle of Abe Masahiro, and to inform the shogun that a barbarian fleet blocked the mouth of Edo Bay.įrom the fo'c'sle of the sloop of war Saratoga, Lieutenant John Goldsborough watched as dozens of Japanese galleys approached the American fleet. A samurai ran forward and dropped to one knee. Identical flags flapped at the stern of each vessel-red and white stripes, with white stars on a patch of blue. The ships bristled with cannon much more formidable than his own. Through a telescope he studied the ships, which were well beyond the range of his small shore batteries. ![]() Abe Masahiro, head of the Roju (governing council) under Shogun Ieyoshi ![]()
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