Their knowledge of it was exceedingly limited, it is true, but what they had heard or read of it served to inspire them with great respect for its people and its great men. The names of Washington, Franklin, Adams, and Jefferson were as household words, being interwoven into stories for children, with illustrations more amusing than correct. Their true likenesses, however, were not unknown.
After our arrival, people from all parts of the country flocked to the foreign settlement to gratify their curiosity in regard to the many strange things reported to have been brought by the new comers. Among them were persons of all ages, professions and rank, and we have no doubt but we have more than once entertained princes unawares, as not a day passed but some of the better class of visitors were permitted to inspect our dwellings. The request to do so was invariably made with politeness, and without assuming airs or assurance, and on its being gratified, each member of even a large party never failed to return individual thanks.
One day, upon the usual request, sent in by our servants, for admission, a Japanese of commanding figure and unusually intelligent expression was ushered in. That he belonged to the aristocracy, or privileged class, and was a person of rank and position, was indicated by the richness of his silk dress and the elaborate mountings on his sword. Withdrawing the long one from his belt as he passed the threshold, he laid it down, as a mark of politeness and peaceful intent. Then, as is the custom, he dropped on his knees, and, bringing his forehead quite to the floor three or four times, pronounced the usual verbal salutation. (I should say that this is no sign of humiliation, as two friends salute each other in the same manner.) On arising, the first object which caught his eye was a large lithograph portrait of Washington, which was hanging on the wall opposite. Without further ceremony, he crossed the room, and, placing himself before the picture, remained for some time in silence. I at last interrupted him, by saying: "What are you looking at?" The quick and animated reply, as distinctly uttered as I could have said the word myself, was: "Washington." Somewhat surprised, I said : "And what do you know about Washington?" "I know a great deal," he answered; and he then gave me a synopsis of the Revolution, and even every part which Washington had taken in it as a warrior and as a statesman, and closed by calling him the father of our country. The earnestness with which this was said was only equalled by that with which he pleaded for the possession of the picture. Taking from his purse several small pieces of gold coin, he placed them on a bit of paper, as they never give you anything from the hand, and pressed on me its acceptance. In return, I informed him that it was not at my disposal, as it belonged to a friend, who was absent; but thinking, perhaps, that I only made that an excuse, because he had not made a sufficient offer, he continued, as I repeated the assertion, to add to the sum already proffered, till the amount was enough to have purchased a dozen. At last I promised to send to America for one, which I would present him, if he could wait; but, on being told that it would be a year, at least, before it would arrive, he shook his head, and, with much apparent disappointment, said: "No, that will not do. I live in one of the most distant provinces of the empire, and never expect to have an opportunity of returning to your town again; and it would be almost impossible for you to send it to me." After examining, with much interest, some other paintings and books, which I happened to have, he went away. The next day I observed some one, at a distance, making a sign of supplication, and, on approaching the person, recognized my friend of the day before making a last appeal for the picture.
