The Polynesian Reports: Departure of the Kanrin Maru from Honolulu: June 1860

The Saturday, June 2, 1860 edition of The Polynesian reported the departure of the Japanese Steamer Kanrin Maru (spelled "Candinmarruh") for Japan. In its journey to the United States with the U.S. Steamer Powhatan it continued on to San Francisco, while the Powhatan changed course for Honolulu:

Japanese Steamer Candinmarruh

This steamer sailed for Japan on Saturday last, at the early hour of 7, A.M. Promptness is evidently one of the virtues of this singular people. On leaving the harbor she fired a salute, which was returned by the battery on Punchbowl Hill.

The Sale of Japanese Goods: Honolulu June, 1860

The June 2, 1860 edition of The Polynesian featured news of an auction sale of Japanese goods. These items were shipped from Kanagawa to Honolulu on board the Bark Zoe. This was one of the first -if not the first- occasion in which Japanese products were sold in Hawaii in such a manner:

Sale of Japanese Goods

There will be an auction sale of the lacquered ware ex Zoe on Tuesday evening next, at the Armory of the Honolulu Rifles, A.P. Everett, Esq., officiating as knight of the hammer. Lots of beautiful things tempting to the eye will be exposed for sale, and we advise any one who don’t want to buy to keep away; for once there, with the auctioneer’s eye on you, in his winning manner, you’re gone in and nod before you know it. The mammoth lanterns and transparencies alone will be sights of themselves.

The Polynesian Describes the Kanrin Maru

The Saturday, May 26, 1860 edition of The Polynesian featured a description of the Kanrin Maru and its three-day voyage from San Francisco to Honolulu:

NAVAL. The Japanese steam Corvette Candinmarruh, Capt. Kats Cintaro,* left San Francisco on the 8^th inst. Had good weather on the passage down; steamed only three days. She is a pretty, bark-rigged propeller, of about 472 tons measurement and 100 horsepower, was built by the Dutch for the Japanese Government, and mounts twelve guns; four long 32s, six 32s carronades, and 2 swivels. She has 14 officers, (besides the Admiral and Captain*,) 60 petty officers, seamen and marines. In addition to her regular crew there are 4 American quartermasters and their cook, it being the duty of the former to take the weather wheel, or to con the ship. They are still in the U.S. service, having been wrecked in the Fennimore Cooper, and will leave the steamer on her return to Japan. They draw their pay from the U.S. Government and have their own provisions on board. The navigating, engineering, and in fact all other duty is performed by Japanese alone, who have shown themselves capable of rapidly acquiring our western civilization. All orders relating to the working of the vessel are in Dutch. As near as we can understand, the Japanese navy now comprises 45 sailing vessels and 5 steamers. The latter were built, 4 by the Dutch and 1 by the English. The Kaninmarrah is the flag ship of Admiral Timurrah-Seto-no-Kami. (Timurrah, Prince or Lord of Seto.)

*The captain was Rintaro Katsu (Kaishu Katsu).

Crew of the Japanese Steamer Kanrin Maru Meet Kamehameha IV

The Saturday, May 26, 1860 edition of The Polynesian featured news of a meeting between the Admiral of the Kanrin Maru, Yoshitake Kimura, and Kamehameha IV. Also present was David Kalakaua, future monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom:

COURT NEWS

On Thursday the Admiral of his Imperial Majesty of Japan visited officially the King’s Ministers, by a special delegation of two officers of rank, the Admiral himself being unable to come on shore, owing to the necessity of his superintending the arrangements for the prompt dispatch of the steamer “Candinmarruh.” The officers he delegated, after their visit to the King’s Ministers, were specially charged to express the Admiral’s great desire to pay his personal respects, and present his officers to his majesty before his departure, if the King, taking into consideration his limited time, could so arrange as to receive his visit.

The King was pleased to appoint Friday, at 11 A.M., for the reception of the Admiral.

At 10 A.M., on that day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, for himself and colleagues, returned the visit of the Admiral. He was received with the most marked courtesy, the Admiral explaining that as the Candinmarruh was lying at the wharf he could not salute.

Commander Brooke, of the U.S. Schooner ‘Fennimore Cooper,’ had the courtesy to inform the Minister of Foreign Affairs, by the previous mail, of the intended visit of the ‘Candinmarruh,’ and of the high rank of the Admiral on board, as well as the rank of the other officers.

On Friday it pleased his Majesty the King to grant an audience, at 11 A.M., to Kim-moo-ra-set-to-no-cami, Admiral of his Imperial Majesty of Japan, and Commander-in-Chief of his Imperial Majesty’s Naval Forces in the Pacific Ocean.

The Admiral was presented to the King by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who afterwards presented to his Majesty, Yeo-se-oea-uwo-hae and Na-ca-no-tua-Mungere, officers of his Staff, and Hooko-soya, Ukeokei and Si-tow Tomasu, Officers of his Household.

The Admiral expressed his thanks to his Majesty for the honor of the audience, and for the kindness and courtesy with which his Imperial majesty’s steamer Candinmarruh had been treated, and his hope that a treaty might be made regulating the friendly intercourse of two nations so contiguous to each other.

The King assured the Admiral that his policy being peace and friendship with all nations, he was glad to see the flag of his Imperial Majesty of Japan in his waters, and to welcome the Admiral and his officers to his kingdom. He requested the Admiral to inform the Emperor that he desired the most friendly relations with his empire; that from the contiguity of the two nations, he looked forward to a mutually profitable commercial intercourse between them, and desired a treaty to regulate that intercourse and perpetuate friendly relations of mutual respect, friendship and advantage forever. The King added that all Japanese subjects thrown upon the shores of his islands by misfortune at sea, had been treated with the utmost kindness, and that his wish was to treat them all in future with the kindness and hospitality extended to the subjects of the most favored nation.

The Admiral and the Officers of his Suite seemed much pleased with these sentiments of his Majesty. The Admiral expressed much regret, that having to sail so soon, he could not receive his Majesty on board in a proper manner, but expressed the hope that he could soon make another visit to this kingdom.

After the Admiral with his suite had taken leave of the King, the Captain of the steamer, Kats-Im-ta-ro, with his chief officers, arrived, and were presented to his Majesty, who received them in the most courteous manner. After some friendly conversation with the King, they were shown over the Palace.

At the reception the King was attended by the Chancellor and Chief Justice, Mr. Allen, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and David Kalakaua.

The Polynesian Reports: Mr. Charles Wolcott Brooks Commercial Agent for Japan in California

The Saturday, May 26, 1860 edition of the Polynesian featured news in another story the about the appointment of Charles Wolcott Brooks as commercial agent for Japan in California:

JAPANESE COMMERCIAL AGENT –We learn from our San Francisco exchanges that the Admiral [“Timmurah-Seto-no-Kami, Timurrah, Prince or Lord of Seto” was Admiral Yoshitake Kimura, Lord of Settsu, Superintendent of Warships] of the Japanese Corvette Candimarrah has appointed Mr. Charles Wolcott Brooks Commercial Agent for Japan in California. The appointment of Consul would have been conferred, but for the fact that the Admiral lacked the power. He stated, however, that the Emperor would probably make the appointment hereafter.

A Royal Reception for the Japanese Ambassadors and Officers of the U.S. Steamer Powhatan

In Honolulu a first-of-its-kind reception was held at the old royal palace (pictured). A Court Reception was held in which the ambassadors from Japan by Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma. Various members of the Hawaiian royal government were in attendance. In addtion, Admiral Tatnall and the officers of the U.S. Steamer Powhatan were also received.

The Pacific Commercial Advertiser reported on this occasion in its March 15, 1860 edition. This is my transcript of the article appearing on the second page:

Audience at the Palace

A very interesting ceremony took place on Friday last, being the reception at Court of their Excellencies, the Ambassadors from the Emperor of Japan to His Excellency the President of the United States, which, we believe, is the first time that persons holding the rank of Ambassadors have visited this kingdom. Besides the King’s Ministers and the prinicpal officers of the government, a number of foreigners were present on the occasion. The audience was granted in response to the request of his Excellency the Commissioner of the United States to present the Japanese Embassy, Admiral Tatnall and the officers of the Powhatan.

The Honolulu Rifles, under the command of Capt. Brown, turned out on the occasion, and arrived at the Palace at 1 ¼ , forming in line on each side of the palace steps. A company of Hawaiian infantry was also on duty, and was stationed at the gateway. His Majesty, accompanied by His Ministers and nobles in full uniform, entered the hall about half past one o’clock, and soon after, seven carriages arrived with officers of the Powhatan. In the first carriage, we noticed Admiral Tatnall, His Ex. J.W. Borden, Capt. Pearson, and Dr. G.P. Judd. As they alighted, the band of the steamer, which was stationed on the Portico, struck up the soul-enlivening national air of America, and the guests were conducted by His Ex. Mr. Whyllie and the chamberlain into the awaiting room, from which they were ushered into the reception room, and presented to the King individually by Mr. Borden.

At 2 o’clock, the carriages, two of which were the King’s, returned, bringing the Japanese Ambassadors and officers, accompanied by the aids of His Majesty and of Prince Lot, as guard of honor, on horseback. With the Embassy were Capt. Taylor and several officers of the Powhatan. Admiral Tattnall, Mr. Borden and Mr. Wyllie, to show the highest honor to them, received the Ambassadors from the carriages and led them into the awaiting room.

From this room, the first Ambassador, Sime-Bujen-no-kami, walked with Mr. Borden, and Muragake-Awage-no-kami, with the Admiral arm in arm, into the presence of the King, where they were presented to him. We noticed that not only the Ambassadors, but also each of the other Japanese, as they entered the throne room, bowed three times very low, according to their own custom on such occasions. His Majesty addressed them in substance as follows:

“I feel very much pleased to welcome you to my kingdom, and it affords me great pleasure that circumstances have favored me, through the kind permission of the United States Commissioner and the gentlemen in whose charge you as present are, to receive you as Ambassadors of the great Emperor of Japan, while on your way to the friendly government of the United States of America, a nation to which my people are so much indebted. I shall feel much gratified if your visit to these islands is agreeable to you, and hope that when you return to Japan you will express to your Sovereign the friendly meeting which I have had the honor of having with you, and the high esteem I entertain for His Majesty and His People.”

His Excellency, Sime, first Ambassador, replied, his words being translated into Dutch by Namura, and then into English by Mr. Banning:

“I am greatly obliged for the friendly reception with which your Majesty has honored us, and I beg to express my thanks for them. We have been pleased to take on our behalf and shall not forget the kindness with which we have been received in this city, not only by your Majesty, but by the inhabitants of your capital.”

At the conclusion of the addresses the Censor, Vice-Governor, and others in the Embassy, were presented, and after them a number of the officers of the Embassy. Each of them recorded in name in the autograph book of the Palace, which already contains those of many dignitaries of foreign countries; few, however, of them will be examined with more curiosity than these.

His Majesty, having retired, the Queen soon after appeared, accompanied by the Princess Victoria and some ten or twelve foreign ladies. The Ambassadors, as well as the Admiral and officers of the Powhatan, were presented individually to Her Majesty, and we must say that her bearing on the occasion was graceful, and left but one impression on all that she nobly filled the high place she occupies. Queen Victoria never entertained a royal embassy with more grace and suavity than did Queen Emma on this occasion. His Majesty also appeared to be in the best spirits and certainly received his royal visitors, the Japanese, in a style which must have given them favorable ideas. The special attention and kindness which he has shown them during their stay will not pass unnoticed. It was a spontaneous impulse of the generous heart of our Sovereign and can only be construed as a mark of respect not only to the President of the United States, but to the Emperor of Japan.

After viewing the apartments a short time, the Japanese Ambassadors and officers were conducted to the carriages with the same respect as on their arrival, and escorted back to their apartments by the guard of honor as before.

The whole ceremony was conducted with credit to all concerned. When the Ambassadors reached the Royal standard, the band struck up in honor of the Emperor of Japan, ‘God save the King.’ During the proceedings it also played the national airs. The Rifles never appeared in better trim. There were some thirty-five turned out, and they fully sustained the reputation so long enjoyed of being the star corps of the Pacific.

Japanese Steamship Kanrin Maru Leaves San Francisco for Honolulu

The U.S. Steamship Powhatan was not the only ship to cross the Pacific Ocean in 1860 with the Japanese Embassy. A state-of-the-art Dutch-designed ship called the Kanrin Maru accompanied the Powhatan. It did not stop in Honolulu with the Powhatan and the Japanese Embassy. Instead, it continued on to San Francisco.

The May 19, 1860 edition of The Polynesian featured the following about departure of the Kanrin Maru for Honolulu on its journey back to Japan.

In this and subsequent stories the ship is referred to as the Candamarrah or Kandinmurrah:

FOREIGN NEWS. By the arrival of the clipper bark Comet, Capt. Smith, in 13 days from San Francisco, the regular Atlantic mail of April 5 arrived, and also telegraphed dates from New York to April 19, and St. Louis, Mo., to April 20, San Francisco dates to May 1.

The Japanese steam frigate Candamarrah it is said would leave San Francisco in a few days after the Comet, for Honolulu, on her way home to Japan.

And also:

COMMERCIAL. Friday, May 18, 1860. By the arrival of the Comet we have dates from San Francisco to the 1^st of May, which brought us intelligence of the expected sailing of the Japanese steamer Kandinmurrah, on the 6^th for this.