The newspaper Herald of New York dated 28 September published the tiding from Washington that the fitting out of an expedition towards Japan was continued. She consisted of three steamships of war, the Mississippi, captain Long to depart between 1-11 November, the Princeton rear admiral Perry who was to escort her and which was now lying at Baltimore for an alteration of her boilers and the Aleghany which was being repaired at Gosport and to depart in January. Perry was to depart begun November towards Japan to join the there all ready cruising squadron with a friendly mission. Another expedition commanded by captain Ringold was destined towards the Chinese waters. Both expeditions were part of the plan to promote interests of merchant trade, industry, civilisation and the Christianity in Japan, China and the southern seas and toe enlarge North American influence in Asia. (1)
Note
1. The result of the Japan-expeditions of Matthew Calbraith Perry 10 April 1794-4 March 1858) is well known. Japan was forced to open her borders for the western world. One small remark, since centuries were the Dutch the only not Asian country allowed to trade namely from Decima, Nagasaki.
These Japanese print represent the fleet of Perry and is dated 1854. The paddlewheel steamer is either the Mississippi of the Susquehanna. The author/artist is unkown. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Japanese_1854_print_Commodore_Perry.jpg
