'Visitors from the East' by Peter Waddell and Welcoming the Japanese to the White House

(Picture Credit: White House Historical Association)

I was perusing various online sources looking for images of the gifts brought by the Japanese ambassadorial delegation to the Buchanan White House. While I've been unsuccessful thus far I came across this page on the White House Historical Association's web site.

This is a contemporary work by New Zealand-born artist Peter Waddell. Click this link for the picture and an essay by William Seale. Note the list of resources on the right column.

I also recommend clicking this link and listen to a commentary by White House Curator William Allman.

Pacific Commercial Advertiser Reports: Japanese Embassy in Washington, Part Seven

Six months after the Japanese ambassadorial delegation arrived in Honolulu the Pacific Commercial Advertiser featured further news of their travels in the United States. ‘The Japanese at Washington: Incidents of Their Visit’ was featured in the August 2, 1860 edition of the paper.

The following is a transcript of the seventh section of the news story. The Japanese ambassadors visited Congress. No author is listed, so I am at this point assuming that the text was taken from various newspaper sources that managed through the mails to reach Honolulu.

VISIT TO CONGRESS –On Wednesday, 23d inst, the Japanese visited the Senate chamber at noon, accompanied by the naval commissioners. The Princes and six of their officers were received on the floor, and furnished with seats in the south-west corner of the Chamber. They were each surrounded by a number of the Senators. Mr. Mason of Virginia was presented, and his position as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations explained to the Japanese, who were furnished with printed plans of the Senate room and the Capitol building. They viewed with admiration of the splendid ceiling and other parts of the chamber, and exhibited intense interest as to the mode of conducting the legislative proceedings. Mr. Portman, for the Committee, explained to them, through the Japanese interpreter, the nature of the proceedings. The Ambassadors were afterward received by the Speaker of the House in his rooms, and then furnished with seats on the floor of the House, in company with the Naval Commission and Congressional Committee. The inferiors in the diplomatic gallery. They remained only a few minutes, and then proceeded to the rotunda to examine the pictures, during which they were surrounded by a dense crowd. After passing several hours in the Capitol and premises, they returned in carriages to their hotel.

(Next: Their Habits)

Pacific Commercial Advertiser Reports: Japanese Embassy in Washington, Part Six

Six months after the Japanese ambassadorial delegation arrived in Honolulu the Pacific Commercial Advertiser featured further news of their travels in the United States. ‘The Japanese at Washington: Incidents of Their Visit’ was featured in the August 2, 1860 edition of the paper.

The following is a transcript of the sixth section of the news story, focusing on the ratification of the treaty. No author is listed, so I am at this point assuming that the text was taken from various newspaper sources that managed through the mails to reach Honolulu.

RATIFICATION OF THE TREATY –On Tuesday, 22d inst., the ceremony of exchanging ratifications of the treaty with Japan took place at the State Department in the presence of a number of persons. It consisted merely of comparing and certifying the correctness of the copies. On their way to the Department the treaty box was borne on the shoulders of two of their servants. Secretary Cass, during the diplomatic proceedings, informed the commissioners that it afforded him great pleasure to exchange the ratification of the treaty with them, and expressed a fervent hope that the two nations would be bound still closer in friendship. The commissioners reciprocated the compliment, and expressed their obligation to the venerable Secretary. They also spoke of the kind attentions bestowed on them, and trusted that the peace between the two nations may be everlasting.

(Next: Visit to Congress)

Pacific Commercial Advertiser Reports: Japanese Embassy in Washington, Part Five

Six months after the Japanese ambassadorial delegation arrived in Honolulu the Pacific Commercial Advertiser featured further news of their travels in the United States. ‘The Japanese at Washington: Incidents of Their Visit’ was featured in the August 2, 1860 edition of the paper.

The following is a transcript of the fifth section of the news story. No author is listed. I am interested to see these items, and to find out which if any were exhibited during the delegation’s Honolulu stopover in March, 1860

THE PRESENTS -On Friday, the 18^th inst., the Japanese presents for the President were opened for inspection, and then transferred to the naval commission, to be delivered privately to the President, in the name of his Imperial Majesty the Tycoon. The articles are of the most magnificent description, saddles richly embroidered and embossed with gold and silver, bed curtains and bed screens similar to those used by the Princes of Japan, and ingeniously elaborated; two swords, such as are worn by the Princes of Japan, superior to any ever manufactured in this country for France; paper hangings ornamented with gold; lacquered ware, including writing cases and a lot of valuable miscellaneous articles, all of them exhibiting the most refined taste and advanced artistic skill, and superior to any which has been brought to this country from Asia.

(Next: Ratification of the Treaty)

Pacific Commercial Advertiser Reports: Japanese Embassy in Washington, Part Four

(Picture credit: James Buchanan Photo Gallery at History.com)

Six months after the Japanese ambassadorial delegation arrived in Honolulu the Pacific Commercial Advertiser featured further news of their travels in the United States. ‘The Japanese at Washington: Incidents of Their Visit’ was featured in the August 2, 1860 edition of the paper.

The following is the fourth section of the news story. Again, no author is listed. I am at this point assuming that the text was taken from various newspaper sources that managed through the mails to reach Honolulu.

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THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

I give you a cordial welcome, as representatives of his imperial majesty the Tycoon of Japan, to the American government. We are all much gratified that the first embassy which your great empire has ever accredited to any foreign power has been sent to the United States. I trust this will be the harbinger of perpetual peace and friendship between these two great countries.

The treaty of commerce, whose ratification you are about to exchange with the Secretary of State, cannot fail to be productive of benefits and blessings to the people both of Japan and of the United States. I can say for myself, and promise for my successors, that it shall be carried into execution in a faithful and friendly spirit, so as to secure to both countries all the advantages they may justly expect from the happy auspices under wich it has been negotiated. I rejoice that you are pleased with the kind treatment which you have received on board our vessel-of-war, whilst on your passage to this country. You shall be sent back in the same manner to your native land, under the protection of the American flag. Meanwhile, during your residence among us, which I hope may be prolonged so as to enable you to visit different portions of the country, we shall be happy to extend to you all the hospitality and kindness eminently due to the great and friendly sovereign whom you so worthily represent.

The President handed them a copy of his address, and then shook hands with them.

The subordinate Japanese officers were also brought in and introduced.

The Cabinet officers were present in the following order: -Messrs Cobb, Floyd, Toucey, Thompson, Holt and Black, and their relative official positions were briefly explained.

Lieutenant General Scott was next introduced, and they warmed greeted him, evidently delighted with his fine, commanding appearance, and in view of his public position.

General Cass asked for Vice-President Breckinridge to introduce him, but he was absent.

Speaker Pennington, as Speaker of the House, was then introduced to the distinguished visitors.

The Japanese again repeated their profound bows and finally retiring, and the impressive scene closed. The demeanor of the Japanese was exceedingly grave and solemn. Their appearance contrasted strangely but impressively with that of the deeply interested spectators. During the entire ceremony, whenever the eyes of a Japanese official were raised from the ground, they were directed to the President and to his countenance only. So rigidly was this practice observed, that it seemed that no one of the Japanese could have seen the countenances of those surrounding them, excepting those of the few distinguished gentlemen to whom they were introduced.

(Next: The Presents)

Pacific Commercial Advertiser Reports: Japanese Embassy in Washington, Part Three

Six months after the Japanese ambassadorial delegation arrived in Honolulu the Pacific Commercial Advertiser featured further news of their travels in the United States. ‘The Japanese at Washington: Incidents of Their Visit’ was featured in the August 2, 1860 edition of the paper.

The following is a transcript of the third section of news story, focusing on an address to President Buchanan by the Japanese at the White House. No author is listed, so I am at this point assuming that the text was taken from various newspaper sources that managed through the mails to reach Honolulu.

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His Majesty, the Tycoon, has commanded us that we respectfully express to His Majesty the President of the United States, in his name, as follows: Desiring to establish, on a firm and lasting foundation, the relations of peace and commerce so happily existing between the two countries, that lately the plenipotentiary of both countries have negotiated and concluded a treaty, now he has ordered as to exchange the ratification of the treaty in your principal city of Washington. Henceforth, in hopes that the friendly that the friendly relations shall be held more and more lasting, and be very happy to have your friendly feeling. That you have brought us to the United States, and will send us back to Japan in your man-of-war.

Having delivered their message they retired, bowing to the President and cabinet repeatedly in leaving their presence.

They soon, however, returned, bowing profoundly, as before, when the President addressed them as follows- Mr. Portman interpreting to the Japanese interpreter, and the latter communicating with the principal envoy:

(Next: The President’s Address)

Pacific Commercial Advertiser Reports: Japanese Embassy in Washington, Part Two

Six months after the Japanese ambassadorial delegation arrived in Honolulu the Pacific Commercial Advertiser featured further news of their travels in the United States. ‘The Japanese at Washington: Incidents of Their Visit’ was featured in the August 2, 1860 edition of the paper.

The following is a partial transcript of the news story. No author is listed, so I am at this point assuming that the text was taken from various newspaper sources that managed through the mails to reach Honolulu. This is the second part of the article.

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RECEPTION BY THE PRESIDENT. –On Thursday, 17^th inst., at noon, the Embassy, properly attended by their officers and the naval commission, left Willard’s Hotel for the President’s House. They rode in open carriages. The chief Prince was arrayed in a rich brocade, purple silk sack, with ample overhanging sleeves, and flowing trousers of the same color. The other two dignitaries were in green of a similar texture and fashion. They wore caps like ladies inverted cabas, fastened on the crown of the head by strings passed under the chin. They carried pikes, halberds, and emblems of their rank. The inferior officers wore small hats with a round band, and triangular gowns.

The procession, flanked by United States Marines and ordnance-men, was quite an imposing affair, although some of the banner bearers and halberdiers who attended each Kami found it a hard matter to march over the rough pavements in their sandals, and they staggered terribly under their loads.

The procession having arrived at the President’s House, the Embassy was formally received by President Buchanan and his Cabinet, in precence of a splendid array of members of Congress, the diplomatic corps, the army and navy offiers in uniform, a large concourse of ladies, &c.

The President of the United States entered the East Room, accompanied by his Cabinet officers, and they took a position on the east facing west.

Secretary Cass returned to the ante-room, and returned with the Japanese Commissioners and their attendants, who made several profound bows as they approached the President and his Cabinet. Then one of the Japanese opened a series of paper boxes, one within another, and produced several letters which were handed to the President, and by him to Mr. Cass. The letter accrediting the Japanese Commissioners to the Government of the United States was unrolled from a large and magnificent scarlet envelope.

The Embassy then retired from the East Room for the purpose of bringing with them the imperial or principal Ambassador, who, according to their etiquette, could not be present at the delivery of the letter accrediting them. The principal Ambassador of the Japanese then addressed the President as follows:

(Next: The Japanese Address)

Pacific Commercial Advertiser Reports: Japanese Embassy in Washington, Part One

Pacific Commercial Advertiser Reports: Japanese Embassy in Washington, Part One

Six months after the Japanese ambassadorial delegation arrived in Honolulu the Pacific Commercial Advertiser featured further news of their travels in the United States. ‘The Japanese at Washington: Incidents of Their Visit’ was featured in the August 2, 1860 edition of the paper.

The following is a transcript of the first section of the news story. No author is listed, so I am at this point assuming that the text was taken from various newspaper sources that managed through the mails to reach Honolulu.

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The Japanese Embassy addressed a note to Secretary Cass, on the 15^th inst., reporting to him, in accordance with the instructions from their Government, their arrival at the city of Washington to exchange the ratifications of the treaty, and that they were ready to perform the ceremony at such day and hour as he might specify. The Secretary replied at once, fixing the next day, at twelve o’clock, for the exchange of ratifications, and that on the following day they would be formally presented to the President. The note of the Embassy was in Japanese, accompanied by a translation.

VISIT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE –Accordingly, on Wednesday, 16^th inst., the Ambassadors, together with the principal officers, numbering eight persons in all, accompanied by the naval commission, proceeded to the State Department about non, and, after the customary preliminaries, were introduced to Secretary Cass by Captain Dupont. General Cass courteously invited them to seats, when, in the name of the President, he extended to them a grateful welcome to this country. He assured their excellencies that the mission on which they had arrived was of great importance, and as such was appreciated by this government, it being the first of an embassy from Japan. The exchange of the ratifications of the treaty, he trusted, would result in a further development of the friendly and commercial intercourse already commenced, and he assured them that in whatever part of the country their excellencies may visit, they will meet with a cordial welcome. In conclusion, he repeated thet he extended to them, in the name of the President, the hospitalities of the government and people. General Cass stated to them that arrangements had been made for their presentation to the President at twelve o’clock the next day, to which they replied that that this would be agreeable to them, and that they had no other official business to transact. The Embassy availed themselves of this opportunity to express to General Cass their gratitude for the kindness with which they had been received, and said that they were extremely pleased with their visit and welcome in all respects.

(Next: Reception by the President)

Pacific Commercial Advertiser Reports: Richard Dana in Japan

Honolulu’s Pacific Commercial Advertiser featured an excerpt of a letter by the Massachusetts-born noted lawyer and politician Richard H. Dana, Jr., on October 4, 1860. Dana visited Japan and other locations around the world, including the Hawaiian Islands. He was the author of the American classic ‘Two Years Before the Mast.’ The news piece is posted below:

A letter from Richard H. Dana, Jr., in Japan, gives an interesting account of the religion of that peculiar people:

“The two great religious systems of Japan are Buddhism, an East India exotic, but the most influential, and the Sin Syn, the ancient national faith. These are said to exfoliate into thirty or more sects. The number of points presented has probably dissipated the electricity of theological controversy. They do not indulge in polemics, but agree in demanding the utter exclusion of Christianity. I saw none of those signs of decay and neglect about their temples which one so often meets with in China. The buildings are in good repair, the floors well-matted, the worshippers numerous, and the worship decent and grave. Neither here nor in China have the idolatries any traces of bloody or obscene rites. There is no instruction connected with public worship. It consists in unbloody offerings, a chanting of a few words of almost unknown signification to the priests themselves, counting of beads on a rosary, accompanied by dull beating of gongs, kneelings and prostrations, and processions, and burning of tapers and incense sticks. They have fasts and festivals for all ages, classes and purposes, which, I suspect, possess a strong hold on the people.

“Missionaries, strictly speaking, there are none. Since the utter extermination of Christianity in blood and fire, in the seventeenth century, missionaries have been prohibited. By the late treaties, they allow foreigners to build churches and practice their worship within the limits assigned for their residence; but they –tolerate no preaching or teaching to the natives, nor the circulation of religious books. The people at home must not delude themselves into the belief that, any strictly missionary work is doing or can be done in Japan. No clergymen; men who can master the language and literature of Japan, get an insight into the genius of its institutions, gain personal influence, remove prejudices, and prepare the way for the future.”

Pacific Commercial Advertiser Reports: Steamer Kanrin Maru Arrives in Japan from Honolulu

Japan (Arrival of Kanrin Maru to Japan)

Pacific Commercial Advertiser: October 4, 1860

Dates from Kanagawa are to July 25^th. The Japanese steam Kandrinmarrah had arrived after a passage of 18 days from Honolulu. From the Americans who came in her we learned that the Japanese conducted themselves admirably on board, taking the positon of the vessel daily by the sun, and brought her, in seamanlike manner, into this bay without incident. The appearance of the steamer, from America, with news from the Ambassadors, created a great excitement both amongst the Americans and Japanese. The foreigners were anxious to hear how the Japanese had been received in America, and the Japanese were fearful lest the Ambassadors would not servive (survive) the great trip across the pond. However, all doubts were dispelled when the great mail for distributed. – Cor. Alta.

Pacific Commercial Advertiser Reports: The Japanese Depart for Japan

Honolulu’s Pacific Commercial Advertiser reported the departure of the Japanese Embassy in the August 30, 1860 edition:

DEPARTURE OF THE JAPANESE – On Friday last the Japanese Ambassadors, with their suite, whose sojourn has been the occasion of so much excitement and interest, went on board the U.S. steam frigate Niagara, which sailed on Saturday for Japan direct.

Their visit is regarded as having special interest in a commercial point of view, the chief object of the late treaty being the opening of commercial intercourse with an empire which has long been shut out from trade with the greater part of the world.

The cost of the Japanese in Washington and entertaining their thirty-six days stay, amounted to $14,000. The cost of entertaining the Japanese in Philadelphia for seven days, amounted to $15,000. The cost of the Embassy in New York seven days was over $100,000 of which $15,000 was for wines alone!

Pacific Commercial Advertiser Reports: The Japanese Arrive in Washington, D.C.

Honolulu’s Pacific Commercial Advertiser reported the arrival of the Japanese Embassy in the Wednesday, July 18, 1860 edition:

THE JAPANESE – The Japanese Embassy arrived at Washington, May 14^th, and on the 16^th were formally received by the President. The ceremonies were of a more than usual imposing character, and were witnessed by a great number of people. The speech of the chief Prince expressed the desire of the Tycoon of Japan to continue on friendly relations with our government. The President’s response promised faithful adherence to the treaty, and most cordial feelings towards Japan. All the members of the cabinet, Gen. Scott and others were introduced.

At the latest dates, they appeared to be getting tired of their stay in America. They have requested that they might be spared from attending balls or going out after dark. When the heard of the accident to the Niagara, which had been detailed to take them home, but returned with her shaft broken, they thought it was a ruse to detain them forcibly in this country, and were much alarmed. They are homesick, and do not exhibit their former desire to see Northern cities. It is possible their suspicions and fears may seriously interfere with the arrangements made for their visit North.

Among the magnificent presents to the Japanese from the government as well as individuals, the President has directed that there should be struck off a splendid medal at the U.S. Mint, in Philadelphia, in honor of the visit of the Orientals to this republic. The order and design have been promptly executed under the superintendence of Col. J.R. Snowden, director of the Mint. The medal, which is about the size of the old American silver dollar, bears a beautiful likeness of Mr. Buchanan, and on the reverse an appropriate inscription. Three of these medals have been struck in gold, thirty in silver, and one hundred in copper.