INTRODUCTION. 73 



terms of the treaty were substantially agreed on by the 23d of March, and it was formally signed 

 on the 31st of that month. So that about six weeks elapsed from the commencement of the 

 negotiation to its close in a treaty. 



M. Von Siebold predicted that various pretexts would be resorted to by the Japanese to pro- 

 tract the negotiation. Singularly enough, the fact is, that of the six anticipated objections 

 specified by Von Siebold not one was urged in the negotiation as insurmountable, and five were 

 not mentioned at all. The only one named was the unalterable nature of the Japianese laws. 



And as to the complacency with which M. Von Siebold congratulates himself on the "good 

 fruit" resulting from his counsel, we have only to remark that we are very sorry his good advice 

 did not arrive in time to afibrd the Commodore any aid, inasmuch as his course had been fully 

 decided on and in part followed without the slightest reference to it. In fact, Commodore Perry 

 never saio M. Von Siebold' s letter at all. 



Of the disposition to disparage the United States and its expedition to Japan, the proofs are 

 quite as unequivocal as those we have given above of self-conceit and arrogance. Our country 

 is more than once brought into disadvantageous comparison with Russia ; is accused of being 

 influenced by the most selfish motives ; of seeking her own advantage without the slightest 

 regard to those of Japan or of the rest of the civilized world ; and in this respect her conduct is 

 contrasted with that of Holland, which is afiirmed to have been always prompted by a most 

 liberal desire to open Japan to the commerce of the world. Russia, also, is said to be bene- 

 volently pursuing the same end, and also to be seeking the free exercise of Christian worship for 

 all Russian subjects in Japan. With Russia's zeal for the protection of Christians in Japan we 

 have nothing to do ; we may remark, however, it is a little curious that Russia should not be 

 warned to avoid the subject of Christianity in Japan, while Commodore Perry is so decidedly 

 advised, by M. Von Siebold, carefully to proclaim that he is no Christian missionary ; and is 

 informed that the dread of the introduction of Christianity is the only real obstacle to his success. 



The chief magistrate of our country is also rebuked for a want of the usual diplomatic form, 

 and of the dignified tone, so necessary to be used toward the sovereign of a country so much 

 accustomed to etiquette. 



Piqued at Commodore Perry's success in the bay of Tedo, when M. Von Siebold had predicted 

 that he would be obliged to go to Nagasaki, and that his proposals would not be listened to 

 anywhere else, if, indeed, they would be listened to at all, he sneeringly attributes his success 

 to what he imputes as a, fault, viz : that Commodore Perry informed the Japanese that the mere 

 request to go to Nagasaki would, if repeated, be construed into an insult to the United States. 

 And, finally, though we have succeeded, it is to be of but little value to lis, inasmuch as Russia 

 and the Netherlands can better supply Japan's wants than we can, and their political and com- 

 mercial regulations are such as the Siogoon can sympathize with, while ours are not. 



Of the selfishness of our motives we readily admit that we sought commercial intercourse with 

 Japan, because we supposed it would be advantageous. Such, we suppose, is the motive of all 

 intelligent nations in establishing friendly relations with others. We can only smile at the 

 simplicity of those who expect to deceive the world by professions of pure, disinterested friend- 

 ship from one nation toward another, irrespective of all considerations of national benefit. We 

 think that every nation which has sought intercourse with Japan has supposed that such inter- 

 course would prove advantageous to the seeker ; nor are we aware that there is anything very 

 criminal or selfish in the desire that advantage may result from the communication. But it is 

 quite possible to believe that benefit to both nations may result from the intercourse we would 

 10 J 



