Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 89

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Notices of Japan, No... · VI

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ART. II.

Notices of Japan, No. V1: anecdotes illustrative of Japanese character; the visit of the Phaton; a conspiracy; a wrecked ship; a magistrate's sagacity &c., &c.

Or this kind of illustration, the Dutch writers afford very little, and thạt little is chiefly found in Doeff's Recollections; though from Titsingh's unreadable An- nals a few anecdotes may be gathered, that strongly exemplify some national peculiarities both of mind and manners for example, the vindictive 'spirit' and inflexible constancy of the Japanese, the slight account they make of human life (save as its loss would imply an act of injustice), their love of a jest, and their ideas of good breeding. Upon the established principle, that tragedy should pre. cede farce, we will begin with an instance given by Doeff of the abdomen-ripping, He does not give it as an anecdote, but relates it as part of the history of his presidentship. His story is too prolix to be given in his own words, to say noth- ing of his ignorance of the object of the English officer.

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In the year 1808, Capt. Pellew of the Pheton, while aruizing in the Indian seas, projected the capture of the annual Dutch vessels trading with Japan. His search for them proved unsuccessful, that being one of the years in which none were dispatched; but he prosecuted it even into the bay of Nagasaki. The con- sequences of this' step, unintentionally and unconsciously on his part, were such as to excite a fierce hatred of England in the minds of the Japanese.f

Upon captain, Pellew's making the coast, and the report of a strange vessel in sight reaching. Nagasaki, the usual deputation was sent forth the previous, in- quiries and taking of hostages, described by Siebold, have been ordered in conse- quence of this transaction. The boat bearing the members of the Dutch factory was in advance of that with the Japanese commission, and, as the ship displayed Butch colors, advanced joyfully to meet her shallop, when, as soon as they were; within reach of each other, the Dutch officials were grappled, dragged for. cibly into the ship's, hont, and carried on board. · The Japanese police-officers and interpreter, in utter dismay at sa unexpected, so incomprehensible a catastrophe, rowed back to relate the misadventure of their foreign colleagues. The governor of Nagasaki, to whom the loss of two of the strangers in his charge was matter of life and death; ordered the two go-banyosi to Sting back the captured Dutch- men, or not to return alive; and then sent to ask Doeff what could be the mean- ing of the occurrence, and whether he saw any means of recovering his people. Doeff replied, that he conceived the ship to be an English man-of-war, and that the Dutchman, being civilians, might be recovered by negotiation. But even whilst these › messages were passing, the Phatom made her way, unpiloted, into the harbor, and the Japanese, confounded at an exploit altogether 'unprecedented, raised a cry that she was bearing down upon Dezima.

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The governor, who now feared to lose his whole factory, ordered all the Dutch- men, with their most valuable effects, to the government-house, there, at least, to be as safe as himself. They found him in a fearful rage, and he greeted Doeff with the words: "Be you easy, opperhoofd; I will have your Dutchmen back for you." Soon afterwards came a note from one of the captives, stating that the ship was English, and that captain Fellew requested provisions and water.