the heat of the battles of Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill; it
waved over the trenches before Santiago, and was later borne
through the captured city to the transport.

CHAPTER XII

THE FLAG IN PEACE

One of the greatest achievements of our flag in peace was the opening
of Japan. In 1852 Commodore M. C. Perry was sent with a letter from
President Fillmore to prepare the way for a treaty of peace and
friendship and commerce with Japan. Its delivery was a matter of much
ceremony. After a long delay a day was set for its reception. When the
time had come, the officers in full uniform, the marines in blue and
white, the sailors in navy blue and tarpaulins, and last of all the
Commodore entered the boats. As the Commodore stepped into his barge,
a salute of thirteen guns was given. Then the two bands struck up
lively tunes and the boats made for the shore.

Along the beach were ranged nine tall crimson standards, surrounded by
flags of all sorts and colors. Five or six thousand soldiers were
drawn up in line, and the hills behind them were crowded with people.
When the Americans came to land, a procession was formed. First, the
marines and sailors, then the one flag of the procession, the Stars
and Stripes, its brilliant colors flashing in the bright sunshine. It
was borne by the two tallest, broadest-shouldered men among the
sailors of the squadron. After the flag came two of the younger men,
carrying a rosewood box mounted with gold and carefully wrapped in a
scarlet cloth. In this were the credentials of the Commodore and the
letter of the President. These were written on vellum, and the seals
were attached by cords of silk and gold, ending in tassels of gold.
Then came the Commodore, and on either side of him was a tall negro of
fine proportions and armed to the teeth. After the Commodore walked
the officers of the squadron. Commodore and officers were escorted
into the handsomely decorated hall of reception. The court interpreter
asked if the letter was ready. The two pages, guarded by the two
stalwart negroes, were summoned and placed the letter upon a handsome
box of red lacquer, which was ready to receive them. The Commodore
made a formal bow. The bands played our national airs, and all
returned to the vessels as ceremoniously as they had come.

This was the beginning of intercourse between the United States and
Japan. Two years later a treaty was signed, and in 1860 an embassy
from Japan vi