president's letter to the emperor. 257 



About the same time America^ which is sometimes called the New World, was first discovered 

 and settled by the Europeans. For a long time there were hut a few people, and they were poor. 

 They have now become quite numerous ; their commerce is very extensive ; and they think that 

 if your imperial majesty were so far to change the ancient laws as to allow a free trade between 

 the two countries it would be extremely beneficial to both. 



If your imperial majesty is not satisfied that it would be safe altogether to abrogate the 

 ancient laws which forbid foreign trade, they might be suspended for five or ten years, so as to 

 try the exjieriment. If it does not prove as beneficial as was hoped, the ancient laws can be 

 restored. The United States often limit their treaties with foreign States to a few years, and 

 then renew them or not, as they please. 



I have directed Commodore Perry to mention another thing to your imperial majesty. Many 

 of our ships pass every year from California to China ; and great numbers of our people pursue 

 tlie whale fishery near the shores of Japan. It sometimes happens^ in stormy weather, that one 

 of our ships is wrecked on your imperial majesty's shores. In all such cases we ask, and expect, 

 that our unfortunate people should be treated with kindness, and that their property should be 

 protected, till we can send a vessel and bring them away. We are very much in earnest in 

 this. 



Commodore Perry is also directed by me to represent to your imperial majesty that we 

 understand there is a great abundance of coal and jjrovisions in the Empire of Japan. Our 

 steamships, in crossing the great ocean, burn a great deal of coal, and it is not convenient to 

 bring it all the way from America. We wish that our steamships and other vessels should be 

 allowed to stop in Japan and supply themselves with coal, provisions, and water. They will 

 pay for them in money, or anything else your imperial majesty's subjects may prefer ; and we 

 request your imperial majesty to apj)oint a convenient port, in the southern part of the Empire, 

 where our vessels may stop for this purpose. We are very desirous of this. 



These are the only objects for which I have sent Commodore Perry^ with a powerful squadron, 

 to pay a visit to your imperial majesty's renowned city of Tedo : friendship, commerce, a sujDply 

 of coal and provisions, and protection for our shipwrecked people. 



We have directed Commodore Perry to beg your imperial majesty's acceptance of a few 

 presents. They are of no great value in themselves ; hut some of them may serve as specimens 

 of the articles manufactured in the United States, and they are intended as tokens of our sincere 

 and respectful friendship. 



May the Almighty have your imperial majesty in His great and holy keeping ! 

 In witness whereof, I have caused the great seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed, 

 and have subscribed the same with my name, at the city of Washington, in America, the seat 

 of my government, on the thirteenth day of the month of November, in the year one thousand 

 eight hundred and fifty-two. 

 [Seal attached.] Tour good friend, 



MILLARD FILLMORE. 

 By the President : 



EDWARD EVERETT, 



Secretary of State. 

 33 J 



