were open to us, that permission was given “ to the citizens of the United
States to frequent ” them; and further, “ to reside with their families and
trade there?'' This they deliberately declined assenting to when they refused
to} make a treaty similar to that with China. They surely would not
afterward knowingly insert it in any treaty they might make with us. The
only permanent residence to which they gave assent, and that most reluctantly,
was the residence of a consul. Temporary residence was allowed to
our shipwrecked citizens, as well as to those who went to Simoda or Hako-
dadi on commercial business. They are allowed to land, to walk where they
please within certain limits, to enter shops and temples without restriction,
to purchase in the shops, and have the articles sent to the proper public
office duly marked, where they will pay for them, to resort to public houses
or inns that are to be built for their refreshment, “ when on shore ” at Simoda
and Hakodadi; and until built, a temple, at each place, is assigned “ as a
resting-place for persons in their walks.” They may accept invitations to
partake of the hospitality of any of the Japanese; but they are not permitted
to enter “ military establishments or private houses without leave?''
Without leave, our citizens cannot enter them within the territories of any
nation with which we have a treaty. In short, the whole treaty shows that
the purpose of the Japanese was to try the experiment of intercourse with
us before they made it as extensive or as intimate as it is between us and the
Chinese. I t was all they would do at the time, and much, very much,
was obtained on the part of our negotiator in procuring a concession even to
this extent.
But, as he knew that our success would be but the forerunner of that of
other powers, and as he believed that new relations of trade once commenced,
not only with ourselves, but with England, Erance, Holland, and Russia, could
not, in the progress of events, fail effectually and forever not only to break up
the old restrictive policy, and open Japan to the world, but must also lead
gradually to liberal commercial treaties; he wisely, in the ninth article, without
“ consultation or delay,” secured to the United States and their citizens
all privileges and advantages which Japan might hereafter “ grant to any
other nation or nations.”
As far as we have yet learned, all other powers have been content to
obtain just what we, as pioneers, have obtained. Their treaties are like
ours.* That of Russia is copied from ours, with no change but that of the
substitution of the port of Nagasaki for Napha in Lew Chew. We respectfully
submit, therefore, that all, and indeed, more than all, that, under the
* In a note to a former page, we have said intelligence had reached us of a commercial
treaty between England and Japan. We have reason to think this is a mistake. If there
be such a treaty, we are entitled, under our 9th article, to all its privileges and advantages,
circumstances, could reasonably have been expected, has been accomplished.
Japan has been opened to the nations of the west ; and it is not to be believed,
that having once effected an entrance, the enlightened powers that
have made treaties with her will go backward, and, by any indiscretion, lose
what, after so many unavailing efforts for centuriés, has at last been happily
attained. It belongs to these nations to show Japan that her interests will
be promoted by communication with them; and, as prejudice gradually vanishes,
we may hope to see the future negotiation of commercial treaties, more
and more liberal, for the benefit, not of ourselves only, but of all the maritime
powers of Europe, for the advancement of J apan, and for the upward
progress of our common humanity. I t would be a foul reproach to Christendom
now to force Japan to relapse into her cheerless and unprogressive
state of unnatural isolation. She is the youngest sister in the circle of commercial
nations; let those who are elder kindly take her by the hand, and
aid her tottering steps, until she has reached a vigor that will enable her to
walk firmly in her own strength. Cautious and kindly treatment now will
soon lead to commercial treaties as liberal as can be desired.
N o t e .—Scarcely had this chapter been completed, before the public prints of the country
brought to our notice the results of the first voyage made to Hakodadi after the signing
of the treaty. Thé facts appear to be substantially as follows : On the 13th of February,
1855, the American schooner C. E. Foote, sailed from Honolulu for Japan, via the Bonin
islands. The vessel was fitted out by Messrs. Reed and Dougherty, American citizens, and
was loaded, for the most part, with articles of ship chandlery, chains and anchors, pork
and beef ; sails, tar, cordage, &c. The purpose of the voyage was to fulfil a contract “ to
establish at Hakodadi a supply depot for American whale ships, so that they may winter
at that place instead of Honolulu.” Among the passengers were Mr. Reed and his family,
and Mr. Doty and his family. These families included three American ladies and some
children. On the 15th of March the vessel arrived at Simoda. She there found some of
the officers and crew of the Russian frigate Diana, which had been wrecked by the effects
of an earthquake at Simoda in the previous December. The Foote had touched at Simoda
in the expectation of meeting there the United States ships Powhatan and Vandalia, to
which she carried letters, and also to consume the time that had to elapse, some few weeks,
before, under the treaty, the port of Hakodadi would be open to our vessels. On the arrival
of the vessel, guard and shore boats surrounded her, and great curiosity was manifested to
see the American Radies. The Russians were anxious to get away, and the owners of the
American vessel at once negotiated with them to take them to Petropaulowski. This made
it necessary to land all the passengers and a part of the cargo at Simoda. The schooner
having been chartered, and her provisions sold to the Russians, Mr. Reed and Mr. Doty,
with the three ladies of the party and the children, landed, and were assigned a residence
in one of the temples named in the treaty to be used for that purpose until inns should be
built, and carpenters were employed to make it convenient. The Japanese were very
curious to see the ladies and children ; but the temple and grounds were considered as
exclusively the Americans’. No Japanese, Mr. Reed states, in a communication to the
“ Alta Californian,” except the officers, were permitted to enter but by special permission.
“ To guard against intrusion,” (thus he writes,) “ four officers are stationed at the gate,
and are relieved every few hours. The watch is kept up day and night Near the gate is