This is a first person narrative of the Perry expedition to Japan. Sailing in November 1852, Perry arrived in China in May of 1853 before proceeding to Japan. His small fleet, through determined action and implied threats, forced the Japanese to open their country to trade with the United States, keeping well ahead of the English who were trying to expand their already large influence in Nineteenth century Asia. This Narrative contains the first impressions of Japan and the Japanese that were presented to the American public. It was originally serialized in 1856.
