enter into negotiations with the Dutch chief at Dezima, “ about the means
that the latter should indicate in order to preserve Japan against the dangers
that threatened her." And at the end of the governor general’s letter
was an intimation to the Nagasaki authorities that the Dutch might be forced
to abandon Japan entirely, if hostile collisions with other nations should he
the result of perseverance in her system of exclusion. This, it is claimed,
was a renewal of the effort to open Japan on the principles set forth in the
letter of William II, in 1844. From 1844 to 1852 the Dutch made no effort
at all, on the ground, as the document alleges, that it was expedient to wait
a more favorable opportunity.
In 1852, the Dezima chief was furnished, by the governor general, with
instructions to urge upon the Japanese government a change in its policy of
exclusion, not particularly vnth reference to the Americans, hut in favor of
all nations who hitherto had lived in peace with Japan. At the same time
powers to negotiate with Japan were sent to the Dezima chief, and the d/raft
o f a treaty was furnished him by his government. ' He was also ordered to
conform to the instructions of the governor general and the draft of the
treaty, if he should he consulted “ in the Japanese American affairs.” The
draft of the treaty was substantially this:
Article I. The relations now existing between Japan and the Netherlands
to he confirmed.
Article I I . The port of Nagasaki to he opened to other nations beside
the Dutch for the following purposes, viz: to procure provisions and navy
stores; to repair vessels; and to take care of sick seamen.
Article I I I . Other nations beside the Dutch “ may even he admitted to
trade : ” provided they conclude a treaty with Japan on the bases expressed
in the next article.
Article IV . (a) Trade to be limited to the port of Nagasaki.
(5) Every nation admitted to trade to have its own consul.
(e) Japanese government to indicate to foreign merchants a quarter in
Nagasaki for their residence.
(d) Trade to be eajried on with the privileged Japanese merchants of
the five imperial cities, Yedo, Miako, Ohosaka, Sahai, and Nagasaki, and
placed under the care of the governor of Nagasaki.
(e) Agents of the Japanese princes allowed to buy foreign wares, and
to pay for them with the products of their principalities.
( f ) Japanese government to make regulations as to the manner of carrying
on traffic; such regulations to be enforced by the police of Nagasaki.
(g) Japanese government to issue notes, payable at the imperial treasury,
to facilitate trade with foreigners.
(h) Foreign traders allowed to pay out and receive the Japanese copper
coin, in the matter of daily household expenses.
(i) Eight reserved to the Japanese government of imposing a moderate
tariff of duties on foreign importations.
(J) All differences arising in trade to be- settled by the consul of the
foreign trader and the governor of Nagasaki, or his proxy.
' (k) Crimes committed by a foreigner to be tried and punished by the
nation to whioh the criminal belongs.
(i) The Japanese government to indicate two places where the foreign
nations, admitted to trade, may establish depots for coal. One shall be in
the bay of “ Good Hope,” in Jesso, in the northern part of the Empire ;
and the other in the southern part, on one of the islands of the Linschop
archipelago.
Article V. The stipulations above mentioned shall be submitted to every
foreign power that desires to make a treaty with Japan, a/nd shall form
the bases o f such treaty.
Article VI. In case treaties are made with foreign powers on the foregoing
bases, the Dutch shall have all the privileges granted to the most
favored nation.
This draft was accompanied by a document from his Majesty the King
of the Netherlands, entitled “ Explanatory note to the draft of the treaty
to be concluded between his Majesty the King of the Netherlands and his
Majesty the Emperor of Japan.”
This commences with the declaration that “ his Majesty appreciates
the difficulties which exist in the Japanese institutions, in satisfying the demands
of foreign powers for entering into commercial negotiations with that
Empire, and foresees the dangers to which Japan is inevitably exposed, if the
government of that Empire does not listen to reasonable demands of that
kind.” I t then proceeds to state that “ his Majesty, by the communications of
his subjects, who have long navigated to Japan, and are well acquainted with
the affairs of that Empire, esteems himself, indeed, better able than any
other prince to make propositions to the sovereign of that Empire, in order
to mitigate the severe laws against foreigners.” “ Therefore, the King has
taken the resolution to cause to be drawn up and presented a treaty between
their Majesties the King of the Netherlands and the Emperor of Japan, in
which, in respecting the laws and the ancient customs of the Empire of
Japan, is indicated the way, by means of which, for the future, may be
maintained, not only friendly commercial relations with the suhjects of his
Majesty the King of the Netherlands, but also with those maritime nations
who desire commeroe with Japan, or who, having peaceful purposes, are
thrown by accident on the coasts of the Empire.” “ For the elucidation of a
treaty drawn up in that spirit, his Majesty cauBes the following lines to be
written.” Then follows a separate comment on each of the articles of the
treaty, and particularly on each of the bases enumerated under Art. IV ,
recommending aud enforcing them all.