MISSION TO JAPAN PROPOSED BY COMMODORE PERRY. 77 



The United States occupied a different position from all the above named powers, for they 

 had not been brought into such contact with Jajjan as awakened unpleasant associations. The 

 only effort we had made toward opening friendly relations, (and it scarcely deserves the name,) 

 was in sending two ships under Commodore Biddle, which remained at anchor some eight or 

 ten days, accomplished nothing, and quietly left when the Japanese desired it. 



Commodore Perry, after careful examination, believed that, under all the circumstances, there 

 was a favorable opportunity for our country to establish commercial relations with Japan, and 

 avowed his belief to several of his brother officers, as well as to some of the dignitaries of the 

 government, and eminent citizens, long before the subject was publicly discussed, and the 

 expedition resolved on. There were doubtless others (and among them probably some of high 

 station in the government) whose minds had been led to a similar conclusion, and who, like 

 Commodore Perry, anticipated popular opinion on the subject of an expedition. Indeed, 

 instructions had been sent out to Commodore Aulick, then on the East India station, directing 

 him to proceed to Japan ; and the State Department, -then under the charge of Mr. Webster, 

 had sought information concerning Japan from the officer who commanded the Preble on her 

 visit. Commander Glynn, who very strongly felt and urged the importance of establishing, 

 if possible, a friendly communication between that Kingdom and our own country. We believe, 

 however, we do no wrong to any one, when we say that the thought of making an immediate 

 effort was urged by Commodore Perry ; and, at all events, on the recal of Commodore Aulick, 

 he formally proposed to the government of the United States the expedition, which was finally 

 sent. The proposition was favorably received, and it was determined that a squadron should be 

 dispatched, under his command, on the peaceful mission of endeavoring to open a friendly 

 commercial intercourse with the Japanese.* 



The expedition having been resolved on, the following vessels were selected to compose the 

 squadron, viz : The Mississippi steamer, which had been the flag ship of Commodore Perry in 

 the Gulf during the Mexican war, and was deservedly his favorite vessel; the Princeton and 

 Alleghany steamers ; the Vermont, 74 ; and the sloops-of-war Vandalia and Macedonian. The 

 steamship Susquehanna, and sloops-of-war Saratoga and Plymouth were already on the East 

 India station, and were to form part of the squadron. The armed storeships Sujsply, Lexington, 

 and Southampton, were also attached to the exjiedition. The liveliest interest in the under- 

 taking was manifested by the President, (Mr. Fillmore,) by Mr. Webster, and his successors in 

 the State Department, (Messrs. Conrad and Everett,) by the Secretary of the Navy, (Mr. 

 Kennedy,) and indeed by all the members of the Cabinet. The most liberal equipment was 

 authorized, and the commander of the expedition was invested with extraordinary powers, 

 diplomatic as well as naval, because much was necessarily confided to his prudence and discretion. 

 The instructions from the department designated the East India and China seas and Japan as 

 the field of service ; but the great objects of the expedition were to procure friendly admission 

 to Jajjan for purposes of trade, and to establish, at proper points, permanent depots of coal for 

 . our steamers crossing the Pacific. 



Orders were given to fit the squadron for sea with as little delay as possible ; yet such was 

 the mismanagement in the equipment of the vessels, that more than once the public were led to 



* The subject of establishing commercial relations with the East occupied tlie minds of so many of our countrymen, that it 

 is, of course, impossible to say, with certainty, with whom its discussion originated. It is, however, due to one gentleman, 

 (Aaron H. Palmer, esq., of New York,) to say that he was, at least, among the earliest to call attention to its importance. 



