European powers were making their way in growing numbers to those
waters. In a period when all the earth was being opened to commercial
intercourse, Japan could not hope long to remain a little world in
herself, like a separate planet in space.

It was the settlement of California, and the increase of American
interests on the Pacific, that induced the United States to make a
vigorous effort to open the ports of Japan. Hitherto all nations had
yielded to the resolute policy of the islanders; now it was determined
to send an expedition with instructions not to take no for an answer,
but to insist on the Japanese adopting the policy of civilized nations
in general. It was with this purpose that the fleet in question had
entered the Bay of Yedo. It was under command of Commodore Matthew C.
Perry, who bore a letter from the President of the United States to the
Emperor of Japan, suggesting the desirability of commercial relations
between the two countries, requesting the supply of American vessels
with coal and provisions, and demanding the kind treatment and prompt
return of shipwrecked mariners. This letter, splendidly engrossed, was
enclosed in a golden box of a thousand dollars in value, and was
accompanied by numerous presents. The fleet consisted of the
steam-frigates Susquehanna and Mississippi and the sloops-of-war
Plymouth and Saratoga, being the most imposing armament that had ever
entered a Japanese port. Perry was determined to maintain his dignity as
a representative of the United States, and to demand as a right, instead
of soliciting as a favor, the courtesies due from one civilized nation
to another.

The ships had no sooner dropped anchor in the bay than several guns were
fired from a neighboring point and a number of boats put off from the
shore. In the stern of each were a small flag and several men wearing
two swords, evidently persons in authority. These boats were stopped at
the ships' sides, and their inmates told that no person could be
admitted on board except the principal official of the town, the high
rank of the commodore forbidding him to meet any lesser dignitary. As
one of the visitors represented that he was second in rank in the town,
he was finally received on board the flag-ship, but the commodore
declined to see him, turning him over to Mr. Contee, the flag
lieutenant.

A long interview followed, in which the official was made to understand
that the expedition bore a letter from the