The island of Great Loo-Choo appeared in sight after a run of three days from China. Previous to reaching there, the commodore issued a general order, requiring look-outs to be kept in port as at sea, during the stay of the squadron among the Japanese islands, and all movements of vessels or collections of boats were to be reported to the officer of the deck, and by him to his superiors; sentinels with loaded musket and six rounds of ball-cartridges; general and division exercises of great guns and small arms, with artillery and infantry drills, were to be prosecuted with increased diligence; and in navigating those seas attention was to be given more to precautionary measures to secure safety than to accomplish quick passages. Another general order stated that the countries which our ships were then about to visit were inhabited by a singular people, whose policy it had been, during more than two centuries, to decline all intercourse with strangers, to which end they had resorted to acts at variance and irreconcilable with the practices of civilized nations; that one of the duties enjoined upon the commodore, was to endeavor to overcome these prejudices by a course of friendly and conciliatory measures, and to strive to convince the Japanese that we went among them as friends, though assuring them of our determination never to submit to insult or wrong, or desist from claiming and securing those rights of hospitality justly due from one nation to another. In pursuance of these objects, every individual under his command should exercise the greatest prudence, forbearance, and discretion, in their intercourse with all with whom they came in contact. While distrustful of their apparent friendship and sincerity, and guarding against treachery, they would extend toward those oppressed and misgoverned people every kindness and protection, and would be careful not to molest, injure, or maltreat them in any manner; that it would be in time to resort to extreme measures when every friendly demonstration should have been exhausted. The commodore also stated that his instructions directed him to forbid in the most positive manner the acceptance of presents or supplies, unless those who proffered them, were prepared to receive adequate returns.