86 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



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 suhject of my letter to Mr. Folsome, charge at the Hague, a 

 C023y 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 jirovided 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 liarbors 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 govepnment. 

 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 exfiected that in the course 

 of time the intercourse thus brought about will lead to a better understanding of our pacific 

 intentions. 



It 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 tlieir 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 posses- 

 sion 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 witli 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 cargoes certainly not 

 under £15,000,000 sterling.* 



Fortunately the Ja})anese and many other islands of the Pacific are still left untouched by 

 this " annexing" government ; and, as some of them lay in the route of a commerce wliicli is 

 destined to become of great importance to the United States, no time sliould bo lost in adopting 



» See Governor Crawford's opinion, in " Tlie E.xpedition to Borneo by Her Majesty's Sliip Piiln," cliaptcr 24, pnljlislied by 

 Uiiipor Brolliers, New York, l«4ti. 



