Books and Manuscripts

Washington, (D.C.): A.O.P. Nicholson, Printer, 1856. In three volumes. First edition, House of Representatives issue. 4to. xvii, (i), 537; (viii), 414, (18), xi, (3); xliii, (i), 705 pp. First volume illustrated with 85 (of 87) plates (many tinted), five maps (one folding), two folding plates in color, and numerous in-text wood engravings; without the suppressed public bath plate (not listed in table of plates); lacking plates facing p. 144 ("Chinese Temple, Macao") and p. 359 ("Wrestlers at Yokuhama"). Second volume illustrated with 27 lithographic plates, 16 wind and ocean current diagrams, 15 folding maps (13 large), and numerous in-text wood engravings. Third volume profusely illustrated with astral charts. Original blue and brown cloth-covered boards, stamped in blind and in gilt, gilt largely faded on each volume, boards faded and soiled; all edges trimmed; moderate to heavy foxing throughout most volumes to text and plates; scattered offsetting from plates onto text; some plate and text leaves starting in first volume; front hinge split in second volume; gift inscription from United States Representative from Connecticut Sidney Dean (1818-1901; served as House Representative from 1855-59, and received this set while in office) to O.D. Graves on front free endpaper of second volume, dated December 1856; further gift inscriptions by Graves in same, as well as other volumes, presenting this set to the Vineland Historical Society, dated March 1894. Hill pp. 230-31; Sabin 30958

"In March, 1852, Commodore Perry was appointed commander of a naval expedition to be sent to Japan to induce their government to establish diplomatic relations with the United States. Perry felt that the only way to force Japan to cease her isolationist foreign policy would be through exhibiting superior naval forces. After entering Araga Harbor on July 8, 1853, the Japanese were eventually forced to accept a treaty that stipulated better treatment of shipwrecked seamen and permitted American ships to obtain fuel and supplies at two Japanese ports, Hakadate and Shimoda. The most important result, however, was that the visit contributed to the collapse of the feudal regime and to the modernization of Japan. Hawks, the editor of this work, was rector of Calvary Church, New York City. The Commodore, underrating his literary powers, declined to write the official report of the expedition. Instead, Hawks was engaged as editor and the two worked together in preparing the report using a number of journals written by men on the voyage..." (The Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages)