This set of documents reveals much about the nature of communication between members of Perry’s squadron, famous for the “opening” of Japan, and officials of the port of Shimoda, located in the Izu peninsula. Although copies of the Japanese translations have been known, the translator, a resident of Shimoda, apparently kept both the original letter and its translation. They became the possession of the noted historian Hara Hidesaburō, who lives in Shimoda. He donated them to Kyōto University, and permitted them to be reproduced here.
The letters here were written by Sydney Smith Lee (Sept. 2, 1802-July 22, 1869), the third child of Harry “Light Horse Harry” Lee and the older brother of Robert E. Lee. He was born in Camden New Jersey and became a mid-shipmen at the age of 18. After serving in the Mexican-American War, he was the commander of the US Mississippi, Commodore Perry’s flagship, a paddle frigate fortified with 10 Paixhan guns.
The Squadron entered Edo Bay on 8 July 1853, later returning to Japan Feb. 12, 1854. Treaty of Kanagawa was signed on March 31, 1854. Perry mentions this ship in connection with Shimoda in July 11, 1853, when he sent it to Shimoda where it would: “alarm the authorities and induce them to give a more favorable answer to my demands, and so it happened.”
The following two letters reveal much about the communication between S. S. Lee, the Commander of the U.S. Mississippi and Shimoda authorities concerning ballast, coal and the placement of buoys in Shimoda harbor.
The second letter represents a request for both ballast and coal. Coal was one of the great requests for the fleet, as it was necessary to power the steamers, and Japanese officials acquiesced, stating that they would supply coal from Nagasaki.
The English version of the Japanese translated letter does not unfortunately survive, but from its contents it can be surmised that S.S. Lee mentioned that although rocks for ballast were provisionally being moved onto the ship, he requested that any available coal be added as well. Lee expected that it would take between 50 to 100 days to load 1,200 pounds (1,600 catties斤) of coal and ballast. The letter dates from 9.28.1854. It took time for the coal to be supplied, for the US Mississippi did not return to New York city until 23 April 1855.
S. S. Lee’s Letter
This letter, one of two, deals with interactions with the Shimoda authorities, and reveals the convoluted nature of communications, as some students of Dutch, low ranking Japanese officials, translated documents to higher ranking officials. In this case, an original letter from Commander Sydney Smith Lee (S. S. Lee) to the authorities of Shimoda.
The meaning of the first letter should be evident as it survives in English and a copy of the Japanese translation, no longer extant, also exists. S. S. Lee’s letter was translated, and the contents verbally conveyed by interpreters in Dutch language. They then translated the letter and dispatched it to Tokugawa officials. These interpreters boarded the ship along with other Japanese officials.
Perry, in his report, mentions two such buoys that were provided. One was in mid-channel, and marked “Southhampton Rock” which, in his words: “is about twenty-five feet in diameter and has two fathoms of water upon it. It is marked by a white spar-buoy. The second is the Supply Rock . . .with 11 feet water upon it. Its position is designated by a red spar buoy. Both of these buoys are securely moored; and the authorities promised to replace them should they, by any cause, be removed.” Perry, Expedition to Japan, vol. 1, p. 384.
Japanese Translation of S.S. Lee’s letter
The second letter represents a request for both ballast and coal. Coal was one of the great requests for the fleet, as it was necessary to power the steamers, and Japanese officials acquiesced, stating that they would supply coal from Nagasaki.
The English version of the Japanese translated letter does not unfortunately survive, but from its contents it can be surmised that S.S. Lee mentioned that although rocks for ballast were provisionally being moved onto the ship, he requested that any available coal be added as well. requested not only ballast but also coal, and expected that it would take between 50 to 100 days to load 1,200 pounds (1,600 catties斤) of coal and ballast. The letter dates from 9.28.1854. It took time for the coal to be supplied, for the US Mississippi did not return to New York city until 23 April 1855.