Page:American Diplomacy in the Orient - Foster (1903).djvu/162

 the American medical missionary, Dr. Peter Parker, and Rev. S. Wells Williams, the last two being representatives of the American Board of Missions. With them also went Mr. King, a member of the firm, and his wife.

To divest the expedition of every appearance of a hostile character, the armament of cannon and small arms invariably carried by trading vessels of that period was removed. Quite an attractive collection of presents for the authorities was taken—a globe, a telescope, a barometer, a set of American coins, American books of science, history, etc., and a painting of Washington. Memorials or papers were prepared in the Chinese language, setting forth as the object of the expedition the return of the shipwrecked Japanese and the delivery of the presents. They announced that they had on board a physician, with medicines and instruments, prepared to cure the sick gratuitously, and they also asked the privilege of staying long enough to explain the meaning of the books which they brought. Their memorials further gave some account of the history and resources of the United States and stated that its policy was to establish peaceful commerce and that it was opposed to colonies. The narrative adds that the vessel also contained a small stock of goods, in order to be prepared "to take advantage of any opening" that might offer.

In place of proceeding to Nagasaki, which was well known to be the only port at which foreign intercourse was allowed, the vessel sailed direct to the Bay of Yedo, on which the capital was located. On entering the bay she was immediately surrounded by a large number of