Simpson, Edward (1824-1888) Journal of a cruise in the U.S.S. Portsmouth on the East India station, A. H. Foote Esqre commander, book III.
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05911.02.03 Author/Creator: Simpson, Edward (1824-1888) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph manuscript signed Date: 1857-1858 Pagination: 1 v. : 95 p. ; 15.5 x 10 cm. Order a Copy
Calf cover. Refit at the Norfolk, VA Navy Yard completed on 26 April 1856. Covers U.S. activity in Asia, cruises to Hawaii, Hong Kong, China, attacks on the Barrier Forts and the second visit to Japan by an American ship.
Excerpts:
[21 September 1857] Continues from GLC05911.02.02. Argument between Capt. Foote and governor of Hakodadi over supplying the ships. "It was all a miserable attempt on the part of the Governor to keep us out of an article of the treaty by which he hoped to gain credit with the government at Yeddo."
[25 September 1857] "I took a look to-day (only for a moment) in the bathing house where men and women bathe indiscriminately. There were only a few women bathing; their bodies entirely exposed; they did not seem to mind us…They are the only people I know of who expose themselves in this way, the Indians, Siamese all have some covering; no wonder there is no virtue among them…It is distressing to go along the streets and see the excitement you cause."
[27 September 1857] "Japan has been for centuries closed to the foreigner. By the treaty that Mr. Harris has just made, any American citizen may settle in the country after July 4th/58."
[10 November 1857] "San Jacinto came in, 3½ days from Shanghae, where upon there did take place a very heavy cannonading of salutes."
[15 December 1857] "The French have declared blockade in the Canton River, and have moved up the river as allies to the English…The English have advanced and occupy all of Hunan."
[Additional excerpts available.]
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.