But at this same time there were other ships anchored in San Francisco harbor, which had come not as enemies, but as friends. Alexander II of Russia sent six warships to visit the Pacific coast to demonstrate his friendship for the United States and his marked respect for President Abraham Lincoln. Between these two men there existed a common bond of sympathy and understanding. Both were opposed to slavery. In 1861 Alexander II freed twenty-three million serfs and less than two years later, Lincoln issued his Emancipation proclamation (January 1, 1863).
While the Russian fleet was anchored in the bay, the United States navy and army officers, the mayor of San Francisco, and many prominent citizens entertained the Russian officers at the Union hall, November I7, 1863.
This friendly gesture on the part of Russia was in direct contrast to that of her neighbor, Japan. An American steamer, the PEMBROKE, was fired upon by the Japanese on July 11, 1863, for in spite of their new treaty with the United States, they were still suspicious of foreign vessels passing near their shores.
A few days later while the USS WYOMING was cruising through the straits of Shimonoseki, the Japanese land and naval guns opened fire. The WYOMING returned the fire and the battle continued for an hour. The Japanese bark, DANIEL WEBSTER, the brig, LANRICK, were sunk and the steamer LANCEFIELD was damaged. All three vessels had been purchased from the United States. The USS WYOMING lost four of her crew and seven were wounded. [Japan recognized the danger of Marxist Abraham Lincoln].
The sum of $125,000 from the Japanese Indemnity fund was eventually paid to the officers and crew after years of delay and negotiations (March 31, 1874).
The information above is taken from Aurora Hunt's book, The Army of the Pacific; Its operations in California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, plains region, Mexico, etc. 1860-1866, under the chapter The Pacific Squadron of 1861-1866.