256 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN, 



and his interpreters acted as masters of ceremony during the occasion. On entering, they took 

 their positions at the upper end of the room, kneeling down beside a large lacquered box of 

 scarlet color, supported by feet, gilt or of brass. 



For some time after the Commodore and his suite had taken their seats there was a pause of 

 some minutes, not a word being uttered on either side. Tatznoske, the principal interpreter, 

 was the first to break silence, which he did by asking Mr. Portman, the Dutch interpreter, 

 whether the letters were ready for delivery, and stating that the prince Toda was prepared to 

 receive them ; and that the scarlet box at the upper end of the room was prepared as the 

 receptacle for them. The Commodore, upon this being communicated to him, beckoned to the 

 boys who stood in the lower hall to advance, when they immediately obeyed his summons and 

 came forward, bearing the handsome boxes which contained the President's letter and other 

 documents. The two stalwart negroes followed immediately in rear of the boys, and marching 

 up to tlie scarlet receptacle, received the boxes from the hands of the bearers, opened them, took 

 out the letters and, displaying the writing and seals, laid them upon the lid of the Japanese 

 ■box — all in perfect silence. The President's letter, the Commodore's letter of credence, and 

 two communications from the Commodore to the Emperor, are here given. A third letter from 

 him has already been presented on a previous page. All these, however, accompanied the letter 

 from the President and were delivered at the same time with it. 



JIXLLARD FILLMORE, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TO HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, THE 



EMPEROR OP JAPAN. 



Great and good Friend : I send you this public letter by Commodore Matthew C. Perry, an 

 officer of the highest rank in the navy of the United States, and commander of the squadron 

 now visiting your imperial majesty's dominions. 



I have directed Commodore Perry to assure your imperial majesty that I entertain the kindest 

 feelings toward your majesty's person and government, and that I have no other object in 

 sending him to Japan but to propose to your imperial majesty that the United States and Japan 

 should live in friendship and have commercial intercourse with each other. 



The Constitution and laws of the United States forbid all interference with the religious or 

 political concerns of other nations. I have particularly charged Commodore Perry to abstain 

 from every act which could possibly disturb the tranquility of your imperial majesty's 

 dominions. 



The United States of America reach from ocean to ocean, and our Territory of Oregon and 

 State of California lie directly opposite to the dominions of your imperial majesty. Our 

 steamships can go from California to Japan in eighteen days. 



Our great State of California produces about sixty millions of dollars in gold every year, 

 besides silver, quicksilver, precious stones, and many other valuable articles. Japan is also a 

 rich and fertile country, and produces many very valuable articles. Your imperial majesty's 

 subjects are skilled in many of the arts. I am desirous that our two countries should trade with 

 each other, for the benefit both of Japan and the United States. 



We know that the ancient laws of your imperial majesty's government do not allow of foreign 

 trade, except with the Chinese and the Dutch ; but as the state of the world changes and new 

 governments are formed, it seems to be wise, from time to time, to make new laws. There was 

 a time when the ancient laws of your imperial majesty's government were first made. 



