Americans in Japan, Appleton
Abridged Narrative of 1857

 
Perry, Commodore M. C.,
Hawks, Francis L., compiler,
Tomes, Robert, editor:
The Americans in Japan: An Abridgment of the Government Narrative of the U.S. Expedition to Japan, Under Commodore Perry, New York, Appleton & Co., 1857, large 12mo (5 1/2 x 7 3/4 in - 14 x 19 cm), green or blue embossed boards and spine with gilt lettering and decoration on the spine, 415 pp. This book has 415 pages versus the 624 pages of the 1856 edition. There are an additional 8 page of advertisement for various Appleton books. The front and back boards have a blind embossed ornamental framework. The spine has gilt lettering and an illustration at the foot. The book has a total of 69 wood engravings. One engraving is a full page tissue guard protected frontispiece. The other 68 are merged in the text and range from full page (2) to 1/4 page in size.

The Embossed Spine

 
Click here to see the blind embossed cover.

 
Title Page

Chapters
I.    Motives of the Expedition etc.
II.   First sight of Mauritius etc.
III.  Singapore etc.
IV.   First View of Lew Chew etc.
V.    Exploration of Lew Chew etc.
VI.   Commodore sails to Bonin Islands
VII.  Fuzi-Anchorage of Squadron in the bight of Uranga etc.
VIII. Leaving the Shores of Japan etc.
IX.   Change in Conduct of the Lew Chewans etc.
X.    Arrival off the Mouth of the Bay of Yedo etc.
XI.   Celebration in honor of the Treaty etc
XII.  Simoda etc.
XIII. The Officers Frequent the Shore etc.
XIV.  Hakodadi etc.
XV.   A Japanese Document etc.
XVI.  Object of Closing Chapter etc.

Detail of Contents from the 1859 edition.
• Chapter I: Motives of Expedition - Commodore Perry sails in Steamer Mississippi - Arrival at Madeira - Funchal, its Streets, Houses, and Carriages - Productions of Madeira - Departure from Madeira - Course and winds - The Trades -the Harmattan - Crossing the Equator - Arrival at St. Helena - Description of the Island - Napoleon and Longwood - Jamestown - The People - A Sharp Citizen - Departure from St. Helena - Arrival at Cape of Good Hope - Description of the Cape and its Inhabitants - Productions - Constantia Vineyards and Wine - Caffres, Fingoes, and Bushmen - Hottentot War - Departure from Cape Town - The Passage from the Cape - The Styx spoken

• Chapter II: First sight of Mauritius - Description of the Island - Rains, Storms, and Hurricanes - Population - Paul and Virgina - The Mississippi sails for Ceylon - Arrives at Point de Galle - Description - Productions - Inhabitants - Climate - Magnificent Vegetation - Wild Animals - Abundance of Elephants - Hunting them - The various Religions of Ceylon - Phar-Pen-Clow-Chow-Yon-Hou - The Commodore makes his Acquaintance - Presents him with a Colt's Revolver - The Mississippi leaves Point de Galle - Passage through the Straits of Malacca - Rise and fall of the Tides there - Arrival at Singapore

• Chapter III: Singapore - History - Inhabitants - Prosperity - Sir Stanford Raffles - A Curious Mixture of Heathenism and Christianity - The hospitable Whampoa - The Rajah of Singapore - Importance of Singapore - supplies - Scarcity of Coal - Wild Animals - Hungry Tigers - Human Tigers - Departure from Singapore - A Fleet of Fishing Boats - Sight of Land - Arrival in Macao Roads - The Commodore proceeds to Hong-Kong - Description of Hong-Kong - Canton - An account of it - The Pirates - Return to Macao - Luxurious Quarters - Macao, its decay - Beautiful Neighboring Country - Tanka Boat Girls - Cave of Camoens - The Commodore sails for Shanghai - Arrival there - Description of - Inhabitants - Foreign Residents - Immense Trade - Visit to the Taou-Tai - The Commodore transfers his Flag to the Susquehanna - The Squadron, how composed - Sails for Lew Chew - Arrival at Napha

• Chapter IV: First View of Lew Chew - Visit from the land - Gifts of the Authorities refused - Conference with the Mayor of Napha - The Regent of Lew Chew visits the Commodore - The Commodore reveals himself - Visit to the Shore - The Town of Napha - The Flight of Inhabitants - Costume of People - The Women - The Neighborhood of Napha - Roads and Bridges - The Temple at Tumai - americans' reception there - An Invitation to Dinner refused - The Dinner sent to the Ships - The Commodore insists upon visiting the Palace - Anxiety of the Regent

• Chapter V: Exploration of Lew Chew - Size of Great Lew Chew - Extent of Exploration - Explorers setting out - Spies - The Pe-ching - Scenery - Picturesque Villages - Shyness of Inhabitants - Cungquas - Ruins of Castle - Phallic Emblems - Houses of Devil's Men - Return of Explorers - Setting out for Visit to the Palace at Sheudi - The Procession - The Cagoo - Commodore's Sedan - The Road - The Central HIll - Sheudi - The Gate of the City - ARrival at the Palace - The Queen Mother behind the Screen - Short Ceremonies at the Palace - The Regent's House - The Feast - Lew Chewan Cuisine - Lilliputian Bumpers of Sakee - Healths and Toasts Drank - Ichirazichi, the Shrewd Interpreter - Return to the Ships

• Chapter VI: Commodore sails to the Bonin Islands - The Course and Winds - A Death on Board - The Horrors of the old Chinaman's last moments - Effects of Opium - Arrival at Port Lloyd - The Visitors from the Island - John Bravo - The Bonin Islands - First Discovery - Captain Beechey's Usurpation - Formation of a Government - Geological Formation of Bonins - Strange Rocks - Natural Caves and Canals - Soil, Vegetation, and Productions - Fish and Turtle - The Pirate - Scarcity of Birds - Domestic Animals become wild - Peel Island - Its Inhabitants - The Capabilities of the Island - The Commodore makes provision for Future Wants - Passage back to Lew Chew - Arrival at Napha - Deposition of Regent - Supposed to have committed Suicide - The Hari-Kari - The new Regent - Feast to him on board the Commodore's Ship - The Lew Chewans enjoy the Wines - Return of the Guests to Shore

• Chapter VII: Anxiety to leave Lew Chew - Mustering of Forces for Expedition to Japan - The Squadron Sails - The Course and Winds - Oho-Sima - The Fourth of July - First Sight of Japanese Coast - The Promontory of Idzu - Entrance to the Bay of Yedo - The Bold Shores - Fleet of Japanese Boats - Mount Fuzi - Anchorage of Squadron in the bight of Uraga - A Japanese Boat comes alongside - Its build - Crew - First Visit of Japanese Functionaries - The Japanese INterpreter speaks Dutch - The Seclusion of the Commodore - The Squadron ordered to go to Nagasaki - Commodore refuses - visit of Governor of Uraga - His Gigantic Card and Name - Kayamon Yezaimon - His Dress - Conference - Insists upon the Squadron going to Nagasaki - The Commodore reiterates his Resolute Refusal - Survey of the Bay - Opposition to Surveyors - The Surveyors frighten away the Japanese - Preparation on board the Steamers for the emergency of a Fight - The Japanese Forts and Soldiers look Threatening - Long Conferences - A Day appointed at last for an Interview - Gorihama selected - Preparations for Interview - Landing of Commodore - Imposing Escort of Marines and Sailors - The Golden Box with the Documents - REception Ashore - The Hall of Reception - Toda-Idzu-no-Kami and Ido-Iwami-no-Kami, the two Imperial Commissioners - The Delivery of the President's Letter - Return to the Ships - Visit of the Japanese Functionaries -Their Intelligent Curiosity - The Commodore transfers his Flag to the Mississippi - Sails up the Bay - View of Yedo - Exchange of small Presents - The Farewell Visit of Yezaimon and Tatsnoske - Their grief at Parting - Consolation in Wine - Departure of Squadron - Results of first Visit to Japan

• Chapter VIII: Leaving the Shores of Japan - Excited Curiosity of the People - The Islands off the Bay of Yedo - Naming them after the Ships - A Storm - Arrival at Lew Chew - Everything had gone well during the Commodore's absence - Renewal of Negotiations with Authorities of Lew chew - A Bazaar - Departure from Lew Chew - Meeting the Vandalia - Arrival at Hong-Kong - The Powhattan absent - Return of Powhattan - Refitment of Ships - The Commodore establishes himself at Macao - The Hospital - Sickness - The Unhealthfulness of Macao - Healthfulness of Canton - The Causes - The Chinese great Gormandizers - Chinese Servants - Laborers' Wages - Male Dressmakers, Ironers, and Washers - The Short Feet - A Chinese Foot unbandaged - The Beggars, their Guilds and Public Institutions - Honesty to be bought - The Higher Classes - Suspicious Movements of the French and Russians - The Commodore determines to put to Sea - The Squadron sails to Lew Chew on Second Visit to Japan

• Chapter IX: Changes in Conduct of the Lew Chewans - Second Visit to the Palace - Exchanges of Coin - No Coins in Lew Chew - Exploration of the Island - Coal found - Geological Formation - Soil - Climate - Distribution of Land - Agriculture - Cultivation of Rice - Various Productions - Flora - Agricultural Machinery - Sugar Mills - Population of Lew Chew - Similarity between Lew Chewans and Japanese - Affinity of Language - Physical Characteristics - Dress - Women - Marriage - Divorce - Manners - Occupations - Arts - Literature - Cookery - Amusements - War - Government - Religion - Burials - The Commodore's Purposes effected - Despatch of a part of the Squadron to Japan - The Commodore follows

• Chapter X: Arrival off the Mouth of the Bay of Yedo - Standing up the Bay - The Wintry Aspect of the Land - Ships Ashore - Relief - Honesty of the Japanese - The American Anchorage - Wintry Aspect of the Bay - A Visit from the Japanese Officials - The Commodore urged to return to Uraga - Refusal - Report of the Death of the Emperor of Japan - Repeated Visits of Japanese Officials - The Commodore persists in his refusal to go to Uraga - Interview of Captain Adams with the Imperial Commissioner - A Visit from Yezaimon - Cause of his long absence explained - Sam Patch's Letter - Yokuhama appointed for the Conference - The Landing - Commissioners described - Answer to President's Letter delivered - The Treaty signed - Interchange of Presents - A Substantial Gift - The Wrestlers - The Railroad and Telegraph - The Delight of the Japanese

• Chapter XI: Celebration in honor of the Treaty - The American Feast - Splendid Preparations - The Conviviality of the Japanese Guests - The Jovial Mimi - Saki - The Party on Deck - Carrying away Remnants of the Feast - The Negro Minstrels in Japan - The Japanese Feast - Spreading of the Banquet - Soup, Soup, Soup - The Japanese Talleyrand - The Commodore insists upon the Privilege of going Ashore - The Curiosity of Japanese - More Inquisitive than Communicative - The Common People Sociably Disposed - The Scrutiny of the Spies - an Enterprising Chaplain - His Adventures - Graceful Charity of Japanese Officials - Sociability of Japanese - Women respected - Tea Parties and Gossip - The Commodore's walk Ashore - Visit to a town Official - His Wife and Family - Black Teeth of the Women - The old Lady and Baby of the House - Return of the Commodore - Busy Population - Dress - Death of a Marine - Burial Ashore - The Buddhist Priest - The Commodore determines to have a Glance at the Capital - Fright of Japanese Officials - Departure of the Commodore for Simoda

• Chapter XII: Simoda - Its Position - The Town, how built and laid out - Advanced Civilization - Shops and Dwelling Houses - The Exterior - Internal Arrangements - Lodging Houses - Announcement of Arrivals - Number of Houses and Population - Disproportion of Officials and Dignitaries - Immoral Practice of Simodans - Diet of People - Cultivation of Rice and Grain - The Buddhist Temples - The Sculpture and Paintings - The Devil's Charity Boxes - Grave-yards - Tombs and Epitaphs - The Rio-zen-shi - The Mias - The godlike Hashiman - The small Shrines - The Mariners' Temple - The Support of the Church - Neighborhood of Simoda - Its Beauty and Cultivation - River Hongo - Japanese Rice-cleaner - Climate and Health of Simoda - The new Local Government

• Chapter XIII: The Officers frequent the Shore - The Interference of the Japanese - The Authorities rebuked by the Commodore - The Apology of the Japanese - A Strange Encounter - A Couple of Japanese Travellers - Their Visit to the Ships - Their account of themselves - Their boat adrift - Their Desire to Visit America - The two Japanese caught - Caged - Their Stoicism in Prison - Petition to the Commodore - The Supposed Fate of the "two Scholars from Yedo" - Trouble again with the Authorities - Arrival of Macedonian - A Death on board Ship - Trouble again with the Authorities - an Apology insisted upon and given - Subsequent friendly Intercourse - Departure from Simoda - Passage to Hakodadi - Arrival in the Bay of Hakodadi - The Strait of Sangar - The Bay of Kakodadi

• Chapter XIV: Hakodadi - The Harbor and Fisheries - The Position of the Town - Its Beauties - The Houses - Precautions against Fire - Fire-engines - Wards and Aldermen - Stillness of Town - Kangoes and Horsemen - Interior and Furniture of Houses - How the People sleep and eat - Tea and Sakee - Fish, Fish, and Fish - The better Houses - Their Adornments - The Buddhist Temples - The Shiogen-Zhi - Grave-yards - The Praying Post - Inscriptions - Mechanical Devotion - The Sintoo Temples - Musical Instruments of Worship - Roadside Idols - Forts and Military Defences - Neighborhood of Hakodadi - Occupations of People - Junk Building - Navigation Laws - Japanese Charts - Workers in Metal - Jewellers and Blacksmiths - Cabinet Ware - Silks and Brocades - Fine Arts in Japan - Knowledge of Perspective - Greek Art in Japan - Architecture - Literature - The Japanese great Readers - Printing and Book-making - Religion - Toleration of American Worship - Arrival of a Japanese Functionary

• Chapter XV: A Japanese Document - Farewell Visit - Departure from Hadodadi - Volcano of Oho-Sima - Arrival at Simoda - Arrival of the Commissioners - Conference - Question of Boundary - The Agreement - Supply of Japanese Coal - Sharp Dealing - Complaints and Apologies - A Stone for the Washington Monument - Two Japanese Dogs - Sam Patch Demanded - Refused by the Commodore - Sam Patch's's History - Dan Ketch and his History - The Commodore Transfers his Flag - Prepares to Depart - Closing Settlements with the Authorities at Simoda - Interesting Conversation with Yenoske - Crucifixion and Hari-Kari - Port Regulations - Departure of the Squadron - A Serious Occurrence - Investigation - A Lew Chewan Court and Trial - Verdict and Punishment - Treaty with Lew Chew - Departure from Napha - Arrival at Hong-Kong - The Commodore returns home - Hauls down his Flag

• Chapter XVI: Object of a Closing Chapter - The Voyage of the Southampton to Volcano Bay - Detention from Fog - Sight of the Coast - Entrance to the Bay - Olason Island - The Ainos - The Japanese Dignitary - Short Commons - The Ainos Described - Hairy Kuriles - Three Volcanoes in Eruption - visit to Olason Island - Japanese Regard for American Dead - Voyage of Macedonian and Supply to Formosa - Survey of Coast - Contradictory Account of Ship-wrecked Americans - Ruse of the Mandarin of Kelung - Abundance of Coal - The Supply takes in a Load - The Macedonian Sails for Manilla - typhoons and Marine Volcanoes - The Sil-li-ba-boos - Their Strange Adventures and Destination - Voyage of Commander Adams - Proceeds to the United States with the Treaty - Returns to Japan with its Ratification - Startling Changes - Terrible Earthquake - Exchange of Ratification - Courtesy of Authorities

Woodcut Engraved Frontispiece (with tissue interleaving)

 
List of Full Page Illustrations
(Woodcut Engravings - Total of 69):

Japanese Coopers (frontispiece) with tissue guard

In text:
Chinese Barber - full page, Ch 8, page 180
Praying Machine, full page, ch 13, page 327

List of Partial Page Illustrations in Text

Carriage on Sled - 1/3p, Ch 1, page 4
The Briers of St Helena - 1/3p, Ch 1, page 12
Cape of Good Hope - 1/4p, Ch 1, page 19
Untitled - 1/3p, Ch 1, page 24
Caffre Chief - 1/2p, Ch 1, page 26
Fingo Woman - 1/2p, Ch 1, page 27
African Chief - 1/2p, Ch 1, page 28
Wife of Soyola - 1/2p, Ch 1, page 29
Untitled (men under a tree) - 3/4p, Ch 1, page 33
Untitled (man with umbrella) - 1/3p, Ch 2, page 36
Untitled (musical instruments etc) - 1/3p, Ch 2, page 55
Custom House in Canton River - 1/3p, Ch 3, page 73
Chinese - 1/3p, Ch 3, page 74
Chinese Woman and Girl - 1/2+p, Ch 3, page 77
Tanka Boat Girl - 1/2p, Ch 3, page 78
Inhabitants of Shanghai - 1/3p, Ch 3, page 83