thentio manner, assist the Japanese in carrying out their laws and the provisions
of the treaty, and recovering debts made by the Americans; and
also communicating to the government at Washington whatever the Japanese
wish, as no letters can be received after this through the Dutch; and if
no consuls are received, then a ship of war must remain in Japan constantly,
and her captain do the duties of a consul.”
“ Japanese. I f we had not felt great confidence in you, we should not
have consented to open our ports at all. Consuls may be accepted by and by,
after experience has shown their need; and we hope that all American citizens
obey the laws of their country, and behave properly.”
“ Com. Perry. True; and I hope no diflieulty will arise; and this appointment
of consuls in Japan, as they are in China, Hawaii, and everywhere
else, is to prevent and provide for difficulties. No American will report
his own misdeeds to his own government, nor can the Japanese bring
them to our notice, except through a government agent. This provision
must be in the treaty, though I will stipulate for only one, to reside at
Simoda, and he will not be sent, probably, for a year or two from this time.”
And thus it was that the Commodore had to explain everything, and feel
his way, step by step, in the progress of the whole negotiation.
“ Japanese. The commissioners wish every point desired by the Admiral
to be stated clearly, for the Japanese are not equal to the Americans,
and have not much to give in exchange.”
“ Com. Perry. I have already stated all my views as regards our intercourse
in the draft of the treaty you have.” [This was one prepared by the
Commodore after the rejection of the transcript of the Chinese treaty.]
“ Let the commissioners state their objections to it. This treaty now to be
made is only a beginning, and as the nations know each other, the Japanese
will permit Americans to go anywhere, to Mount Fusi, all over the country.”
“ Japanese. We have found restrictions necessary against the Portuguese
and English.” Then followed observations by the Japanese on Pel-
lew’s entry into Nagasaki harbor, which showed how much dislike of the
English that event had occasioned. A strong proof of their remarkable
caution was furnished by the Japanese at the conference held on the 28th
of March, when most of the terms of the treaty had been agreed upon.
“ Com. Perry. I am prepared now to sign the treaty about these three
harbors.”
[Mr. Portman, interpreter, then read in Dutch that portion of the treaty
which contained such points as had been already agreed upon.]
“ Japanese. I t is all correct except that we have objection to opening
the port of Simoda immediately; if any vessels were to go there in distress,
we would be glad to furnish them with provisions, wood, and water.”
“ Com. Perry. You have already consented, in one of your letters to
me, to open that port immediately. I am very desirous of settling that
matter now, as I wish to dispatch the Saratoga home to inform the government,
before Congress adjourns, how matters are advancing; that will take
some time, and there is no probability that any ships will come here before
ten or twelve months have expired; so that it will make no difference to you
whether you put it in the treaty to be opened now or in ten months.”
| Japanese. We are willing to put it in the treaty ‘ to be opened now,’
if you give us a letter or promise that no ships will come here before the
President gives his permission.”
“Com. Perry. I cannot do that very well, but I am willing to put it off
ninety days; that will be about the time I shall return from Hakodadi;
it was your own proposition yesterday to open that port immediately. I
consent to this, however, to show you how desirous I am to do what I can
to please you. I cannot consent to a longer time.”
“ Japanese. I f we put it in the treaty to be opened now, we would like
you to give us an order that no ship shall enter that port before ten
months.5 J
Com. Perry. I cannot do that. But there is no probability that any
ships will come here before that time, as I shall not leave here for three
months, and they will not hear of it; as I said before, there is no probability
that ships will go there before the expiration of ten months.”
| Japanese. When you come back from Matsmai, we will have a plenty
of provisions at Simoda for the whole squadron; but to other ships we cannot
furnish more than wood, water, &c.”
“ Com. Perry. When we return from Matsmai we shall not want many
provisions, as we shall be going to a place where we can get a plenty. I t is
only the principle I wish settled now. I have come here as a peacemaker,
and I want to settle everything now, and thus prevent trouble hereafter; and
I wish to write home to my government that the Japanese are friends.”
“ Japanese. We will write you a letter stating that we cannot furnish
everything before ten months, but that we can furnish wood and water immediately,
and that we will furnish such other things as we possibly can. This
letter we would like you to answer.”
“ Com. Perry. -Very well; I will.”
“ Japanese. [Entering on another part of the terms agreed on.] We
will not confine Americans, or prevent them from walking around; but we
would like to place a limit to the distance they may walk.”
| Com. Perry. I am prepared to settle that matter now, but they must
not be confined to any particular house or street. Suppose we make the
distance they may walk, the same distance that a man can go and come in a
day. Or, if you choose, the number of lis or ris may be agreed upon.”
“ Japanese. We are willing that they shall walk as far as they can go
and come in a day.”