The cities thus visited were not only very extensive (estimated to be six miles long), but had wide, well-formed streets. As he was returning, a Japanese officer put into his hands an order from the commodore for all officers to return on board, and shortly afterward a courier, mounted on a splendid black horse, delivered a similar despatch, and finding it was understood and acted on, turned round and galloped back again to report the approach of the American officer, who concluded his journey by torch-light, and found on his arrival that everything that had occurred had been noted, even the number of buttons on his coat being recorded. On his route he met the escort and train of some high functionary, supposed to number some two thousand. They were supposed to be conveying to Yokohama the few presents which they said the emperor could only now send, for want of time to prepare others. The negotiations, which were interrupted by the equinoctial gale, were resumed on the 17th of March. The commodore wished them to give us three or four ports; his squadron was a powerful one; but if he carried back an unsatisfactory answer to his government it would send another and a larger one for a different purpose. The Japanese were willing to give us one port then, and another in five years; they said they could not grant a port in the island of Yezo—hitherto called Matsmai—without consulting the prince of that department. To this, it was replied, “Give the port in the island of Niphon, and the squadron would go to see the prince of Matsmai.” On the 19th of March the squadron was increased by the arrival of the storeship Supply, from China. She brought us the intelligence of a naval engagement between the Russians and the Turks; but the disappointment of many in not getting letters was great, and they thought Oh the troubles that do espan, The man who _will go_ to Japan! The Japanese having offered the harbor of Simoda, in the province of Idzoo, as one of the ports for American ships to visit, the Vandalia and Southampton were sent down to that place, to make a reconnoissance, and to report upon its facilities of entrance, and capacity. The weather was raw, rough, squally, and rainy. Agreeably to instructions from the government, received before leaving China—a wise thing, as naval commanders are always very chary, and not at all disposed to render any more facilities to the foreign diplomatic agents of the country, than they can help, on the 25th of the month, the steam-frigate Susquehanna left Japan for Hong Kong, to convey the new American commissioner to such of the Cinque ports as he desired to visit.