PART Y. 



MATTHEW C. PERRY 



CHAPTER I. 



ORIGIN AND AIMS OF THE EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



THE acquisition of the rich and extensive terri- 

 tory of California, as already narrated, brought the 

 extreme western domains of the United States into 

 direct contact with those of the Japanese Empire ; 

 for the expanse of the Pacific Ocean, rendered in- 

 significant by the power of steam, alone divided 

 them. Both countries possessed interests of great 

 importance, which would be mutually and perma- 

 nently promoted by a treaty of commerce between 

 them. Commodore Perry, who had previously be- 

 come distinguished in the service of the United 

 States, and had proved himself worthy to bear a 

 name which was already illustrious in the annals of 

 the naval achievements of the country, was among 

 the first to perceive and to proclaim the immense 

 importance of establishing an alliance between the 



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