Within the palace Daimios meet in rooms according to their rank, and the class of Daimios is often spoken of by the name of the room in the palace in which it meets--as the Obee no ma, the Tomari no ma, the Yanangi no ma, the Gan no ma, the Kiri no ma, the Tay kan no ma, the Fuyo no ma, or the Goyobeya, or the Siro jo in (or Kuro jo in), in which last all classes seem on occasions to meet. But it is only in rare cases that all are called together; such an occasion was the proposal brought before them by Commodore Perry to overturn the old laws and throw open the country. It has been seen that Iyeyas in his laws thought the meeting of this assembly, the Hio jo sho, very important, and he said that the president must be a man of the clearest intellect and best disposition, and that once in every month it should be the duty of the Shiogoon to go to the assembly without previous intimation, and there act as judge. Immediately in front of the building stands a box, known as the Mayassu hako. Into this box any one may put a paper of complaint upon any subject which he wishes to bring before the assembly. These papers, “Mayassu,” are taken out and examined, and those which are signed are discussed, those which have no signature are burned. There are similar boxes at Miako and Osaka. The following may be taken as a sketch, or very imperfect translation, of the matters which come under the cognizance of the assembly as instructions to officers: 1. When a complaint is made with reference to ground in a street in front of, and generally belonging to, a temple, and which is frequently let as shops, etc.; or in reference to Go rio, ground belonging to the Shiogoon; or Shi rio, ground belonging to Daimios--these complaints are not to be taken up by the board, but are to be referred to the Tskiban (the temple lord who is sitting for the month). 2. All quarrels and complaints between and against Yedo street people, citizens of Yedo, are to be referred to the governor of Yedo. 3. In the Kwang hasshiu, or eight provinces immediately around Yedo--Awa, Kadsusa, Simosa, Hitatse, Simotsuki, Kowotsuki, Segami and Musasi--disputes between the tenants of the Shiogoon and those of Daimios or Dai kangs are to be referred to the treasury governor. These three governors are known as the “San boonio.” 4. Proceedings as to disputes between Daimios as to ground. 5. Between brothers as to succession to the father’s property. 6. In the case of a demand for a new trial after a decision has been given. 7. In regard to petitions from friends to let a prisoner out of confinement on the ground of his innocence, must have good reasons shown. 8. If the people want an alteration or change of a law. 9. What is to be done with papers, Hakko so, put into the box. 10. If people complain of officers. 11. In a complaint of an improper judgment in a case (perhaps in another court).