m U m
Translation o f answer to the letter o f the President to the Emperor of
Japan.
“ The return of your excellency, as ambassador of the United States to this
Empire, has been expected according to the letter of his Majesty the President,
which letter your excellency delivered last year to his Majesty the
Emperor of this Empire.
“ I t is quite impossible to give satisfactory answers at once to all the proposals
of your government, as it is most positively forbidden by the laws of
our Imperial ancestors; but for us to continue attached to the ancient laws,
seems to misunderstand the spirit of the age; however, we are governed now
by imperative necessity.
* At the visit of your excellency last year to this Empire, his Majesty
the former Emperor was sick, and is now dead. Subsequently, his Majesty
the present Emperor ascended the throne; the many occupations in consequence
thereof are not yet finished, and there is no time to settle other business
thoroughly. Moreover, his Majesty the new Emperor, at the accession
to the throne, promised to the princes and high officers of the Empire to observe
the laws. I t is therefore evident that he cannot now bring about any
alteration in the ancient laws.
“ Last autumn, at the departure of the Dutch ship, the superintendent of
the Dutch trade in Japan was requested to inform your government of this
event, and a reply in writing has been received.
“ At Nagasaki arrived recently the Russian ambassador to communicate
a wish of his government. He has since left the said place, because no answer
would be given to any nation that might communicate similar wishes.
However, we admit the urgency of, and shall entirely comply with, the proposals
of your government concerning coal, wood, water, provisions, and the
saving of ships and their crews in distress. After being informed which harbor
your excellency selects, that harbor shall be prepared, which preparation
it is estimated will take about five years. Meanwhile a commencement can
be made with the coal at Nagasaki by the next Japanese first month,
(Siogoots,) (16th of February, 1855.)
“ Having no precedent with respect to coal, we request your excellency
to furnish us with an estimate, and upon due consideration this will be complied
with, if not in opposition to our laws. What do you understand by
provisions, and how much coal ?
“ Finally, anything ships may be in want of that can be furnished from
the production of this Empire shall be supplied. The prices of merchandise
and articles of barter to be fixed by Kurakawa Kahei and Moryama Yenoske.
After settling the points before mentioned, the treaty can be concluded and
signed at the next interview.
“ Seals attached by order of the high gentlemen.
“MORYAMA YENOSKE.”