Japan, as conquered by that power centuries ago, but their actual sovereignty
is disputed by the government of China.
These islands come within the jurisdiction of the prince of Satsuma,
the most powerful of the princes of the Empire, and the same who caused
the unarmed American ship Morrison, on a visit of mercy, to be decoyed
into one of his ports and then fired upon from the batteries hastily erected.
He exercises his rights more from the influence of the fear of the simple
islanders than from any power to coerce their obedience ; disarmed, as they
long have been, from motives of policy, they have no means, even if they
had the inclination, to rebel against the grinding oppression of their
rulers.
Now, it strikes me, that the occupation of the principal ports of those
islands for the accommodation of our ships of war, and for the safe resort
of merchant vessels of whatever nation, would be a measure not only justified
by the strictest rules of moral law, but which is also to be considered, by
the laws of stern necessity ; and the argument may be further strengthened
by the certain consequences of the amelioration of the condition of the
natives, although the vices attendant upon civilization may be entailed upon
them.
In my former commands upon the coast of Africa, and in the G-ulf of
Mexico, where it fell to my lot to subjugate many towns and communities, I
found no difficulty in conciliating the good will and confidence of the conquered
people, by administering the unrestricted power I held rather to their
comfort and protection than to their annoyance ; and when the naval forces
left, they carried with them the gratitude and good wishes of their former
enemies ; and so I believe that the people of the islands spoken of, if
treated with strict justice and gentle kindness, will render confidence for
confidence, and after a while the Japanese will learn to consider us their
friends.
In establishing those ports of refuge it will be desirable to provide the
means of supply to the vessels that may resort to them, and hence the necessity
of encouraging the natives in the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, &c. ; and
to carry out, in part, this object, garden seeds have been provided ; but
to pursue the purpose still further, I have thought that if a few of the more
simple agricultural implements of our own country were sent to me for use,
and for presents, they would contribute most essentially to the end in view ;
such, for instance, as the common cultivator, the plough and harrow, spades,
hoes of various kinds, the threshing and winnowing machines, and especially
those inventions for separating the cotton from its seed, and rice from its
husks.
And with reference, also, to the subject of my letter to Mr. Folsom,
chargé at the Hague, a copy of which has been enclosed to the Department
of State, it would be good policy to counteract the discreditable machinations
of the Dutch, by circulating printed publications representing the true
condition of the various governments of the world, and especially to set
forth the extraordinary prosperity of the United States under their genial laws.
To effect this object, I am already provided with works for presentation,
descriptive of the civil and political condition of the United States, such as
the census tables, post-office and railroad reports, reports of the Indian and
Land offices, military and naval registers, also with the magnificent publications
of the State of New York, &c.
And I have thought that a small printing press, with type and materials,
would go far to facilitate our plans, by giving us the means of putting forth
information calculated to disabuse the Japanese of the misrepresentations
of the Dutch.
The government of Japan keeps in employment linguists in all modern
languages; and such is their curiosity, that these publications, if admitted
at all, will soon be translated.
Having thus, at least in anticipation, established harbors of resort, and
organized certain rules of equity to govern our intercourse with the natives
in the payment for labor, supplies, &c., and having depots of provisions and
coal near at hand, we shall be able to act with more effect in bringing about
some friendly understanding with the imperial government. At all events,
steamers, or whatever vessels that may be passing to and from California and
China, will' find safe harbors in their way, and it may reasonably be expected
that in the course of time the intercourse thus brought about will lead to a
better understanding of our pacific intentions.
I t may be said that my anticipations are too sanguine. Perhaps they
are, but I feel a strong confidence of success. Indeed, success may be commanded
by our government, and it should be, under whatever circumstances,
accomplished. The honor of the nation calls for it, and the interest of commerce
demands it. When we look at the possessions in the east of our
great maritime rival, England, and of the constant and rapid increase of
their fortified ports, we should be admonished of the necessity of prompt
measures on our part.
By reference to the map of the world, it will be seen that Great Britain
is already in possession of the most important points in the East India and
China seas, and especially with reference to the China seas.
With Singapore commanding the southwestern, while Hong Kong covers
the northeastern entrance, and with the island of Labuan on the eastern
coast of Borneo, an intermediate point, she will have the power of shutting
up at will and controlling the enormous trade of those seas, amounting, it is
said, in value to 300,000 tons of shipping, carrying cargoeB certainly not
under £15,000,000 sterling.*
* See Governor Crawford’s opinion, in “ The Expedition to Borneo by Her Majesty’s
Ship Dido,” chapter 24, published by Harper Brothers, New York, 1846.