I am very tired and would like to go to sleep." The most noteworthy incident of the cruise was the reception given to our fleet in Japan.

In courtesy and good breeding, the Japanese can certainly teach much to the nations of the Western world.

I had been very sure that the people of Japan would understand aright what the cruise meant, and would accept the visit of our fleet as the signal honor which it was meant to be, a proof of the high regard and friendship I felt, and which I was certain the American people felt, for the great Island Empire.

The event even surpassed my expectations.

I cannot too strongly express my appreciation of the generous courtesy the Japanese showed the officers and crews of our fleet; and I may add that every man of them came back a friend and admirer of the Japanese.
Admiral Sperry wrote me a letter of much interest, dealing not only with the reception in Tokyo but with the work of our men at sea; I herewith give it almost in full: 28 October, 1908.
Dear Mr.Roosevelt: My official report of the visit to Japan goes forward in this mail, but there are certain aspects of the affair so successfully concluded which cannot well be included in the report.
You are perhaps aware that Mr.Denison of the Japanese Foreign Office was one of my colleagues at The Hague, for whom I have a very high regard.