Powhatan officers meet Japanese foreign minister

Fukuzawa Yukichi (Captain Kimura's assistant)
Nakatsu
February 5th, 1860

USS Powhatan is finally here and I was determined to sail on the voyage to United States. America seems like the place where I can learn a vast amount of knowledge. So I devoted all my time studying my English for until I am fluent enough to understand and communicate with Americans. My studying progressed slowly because there wasn't any dictionary that translated from Japanese to English, but I wasn’t willing to give up. I really want to get out of this country and explore the western part of the world, and that was the motivation I needed to work harder. But my family is poor and there is no way I can afford to travel that far. I heard that the shogunates (Chief Military Commanders) are escorting the US Powhatan back to San Francisco, so I offered Captain Kimura, the commander of “Kanrin Maru,” to become his servant. Captain Kimura accepted my offer immediately and we were ready to set sail on our voyage to America!