November 14th to 21st, 1871

Nov. 14th. Evening
Another Quiet day. Admiral and DeLong here for dinner, as well as Longfellow, whom I like much. DeLong brought news to the West Pointers that they were to have an interview with the War Department tomorrow, and would probably be employed. Another sign that American interests are looking up.

Nov. 15th. Evening
Went with DeLong this morning to show him where to my curiosities. He purchased a very elegant set of lacquer, some fifty pieces, which he intends to send home in separate lots as presents.
West pointers had their interview with the War Dept. Nothing settled yet. They have gone to Yokohama tonight. Are to have an interview with the Commander in Chief of the Japanese army in a day or two.
Since the Colorado has been here there has been a perfect stream of visitors and no time for work (Page 138). I like the old Admiral better and better. He is perfectly loveable. I like DeLong much too. The latter and I are cronies already, which is no small advantage for the writer. I think DeLong tells the best story I have ever listened to. Tonight he rattled on till 11 o’clock without our having any idea of the lapse of time. I cannot tell his stories with the inimitable grace that he does, but here are two of them. I will call the first:

Tom Walsh is a very wealthy Yokohama merchant. Tom Walsh married a daughter of General Dix. Mrs Tom was a belle in Paris and London and is ambitious and stylish. Tom and his wife live in superb style in Yokohama, and when W.H. Seward and his party arrived there, the minister’s wife being ill, and he unable to entertain them, Mr Seward accepted the hospitality of the Walsh’s. Seward was very anxious to be received by the Mikado, a feeling which was not in the least reciprocated by His Majesty. Nevertheless, by urgent pleading, Mr DeLong, the minister, succeeded in obtaining an audience for Mr Seward and "suite". The interview was duly appointed and, one morning, after being up (Page 139) all night at a party in Yokohama, Mr Seward, Mr DeLong, the American Consul, and one or two other officials started by steamer for Yedo. Much to the surprise of DeLong, Tom Walsh appeared on the boat in full ?fig. , blue swallow tail, white neck tie etc. Nothing was said to him and he accompanied the party to Yedo. Arrived at Yedo the party stopped at the hotel and were met by Ishibashi, the Court Interpreter. Now Tom Walsh has had several transactions with the Japanese government and has not come out with the cleanest of reputations, to say the least, and moreover, the Japanese utterly despise a merchant, be he poor or wealthy. Ishibashi knew him well, and as soon as he saw him in the room, beckoned quietly to DeLong and asked him whether it was intended that Mr Walsh should be included in the suite. DeLong said that he had no such intention but would speak to Mr Seward. Seward said that he had no intention that Mr Walsh should go. Ishibashi, speaking very peremptorily said "Mr DeLong, it is impossible. No merchant can see our Mikado". DeLong spoke with some embarrassment to Walsh (Page 140), told him that there had been objections made to his accompanying the party. Tom said that that was all right but that he would like to ride up to the gate of the castle grounds with them. Of course no objections was made to this and the party started. Now Seward had a Negro servant y clept William, and this able satellite was dressed exactly like Walsh. Well, the party arrived at the gate of the castle. Ishibashi, DeLong and Seward dismounted as well as Shepard and walked forward. DeLong, on looking back, caught sight of Tom Walsh and William coming along behind. Thinking "Hang the fellow! If he chooses to try it on his cheek, let him". Now it is the style, in cases of presentation, that the advancing party shall be met by officers at different point on the path from the gate to the castle, the rank of the officers increasing as the castle is approached. Several of these officers were reached and fell in to the procession. Tom and William still trotting on in the rear. At length they met Terasima, an old fox and a minister of the Mikado. Greeting DeLong and Seward he started on with them, and after they had (Page 141) started on far enough to fully commit Tom and William to following, old Terasima, who speaks English, turned suddenly and said sharply to Seward, "Mr Seward, your servants will remain here", looking at William and Tom. Poor Walsh and the darky had to stop. The party went on, were rec’d at a summer house, and a collation served. Meanwhile, a hard rain came up and the "servants" tried to return to the carriage. Alas, the gates were shut, and after being thoroughly drenched, they were at length, by the pity of a guard, directed to a small arbour from which they could see all the fun going on close by - could see the procession move to a neighbouring enclosure within which was the house that held the Mikado. Could see the return after the ceremony and could see the whole of a second entertainment, which lasted two hours. DeLong, looking out, saw poor Tom leaning against a pillar on one side, and William acting as caryatid on the other. At length the thing was over, and on the way back Tom and the darky joined the procession. Seward, being under the impression that he ought to say (Page 142) something, addressed poor Tom with the courteous enquiry "Well, Mr Walsh, how have you enjoyed yourself?". Poor Tom could say nothing, his party toilet dripping, his stove pipe hat a jelly, his patent leather boots all bursted. The story leaked out, though Mrs Walsh everywhere announced that Tom had been presented, and not long after, Tom and wife deemed travel advisable, and have not yet returned. So much for Tom’s presentation.

(Page 143) Nov. 17th. Evening.
Curio hunting with Admiral Rodgers and the Minister, and writing official letters.

Part 22

Return to Home Page