commodore's letter to hayashi. 351 



the contracting powers would be mutually bound by law to conform to all its stipulations, and 

 thus prevent mistakes and consequent disputes. 



This is the practice with all other nations ; and such is the present condition of the world, 

 that these treaties have become necessary to avert contention and war. The obligations to con- 

 form to them are enjoined as well by considerations of honor, as the preservation of the peace 

 and prosperity of the respective countries ; and it would be impossible for the western nations 

 to preserve friendly intercourse if it were not for similar treaties. 



Although we have abundance of prepared provisions in the squadron, it would be desirable 

 to obtain daily supplies of fresh meat, vegetables, &c., for which we would pay the prices 

 demanded. Wood and water will, of course, be wanted, and for a supply of which we shall be 

 thankful. 



The health of the officers and men require that they should have exercise on shore ; and 

 though I have hitherto, out of respect to the Japanese laws, forbidden any one to land except 

 for purposes of duty, I feel assured that some arrangement will be made to admit of some 

 reasonable intercourse with the neighborhood. 



Copies of the surveys which the officers are employed in making will be presented to the 

 Imperial government ; and, to make them more perfect, it will be necessary to place signal- 

 poles at some points on shore by which to measure the angles ; therefore it is requested that the 

 officers landing for such purposes may not be molested. 



It is thought that the business of the negotiation would be facilitated by submitting the 

 several questions and replies that may arise in writing. 



M. C. PEEKY. 



United States Flag-ship Powhatan, 

 Tedo Bay, off the town of Yoku-hama, March 1, 1854. 



ToTJR Excellency : In presenting for the consideration of your highness the accompanying 

 draught of a treaty, which, in all its essential features, is identical with that at present subsist- 

 ing between the United States and China, I again venture to urge upon the Imperial govern- 

 ment of Japan the importance of establishing a friendly understanding with the nation which 

 I have the honor on this occasion to rej)resent. 



It would be needless in me to reiterate the arguments already advanced in supjiort of a 

 measure so fraught with the best interests of the two nations, and so necessary to the peace and 

 prosperity of Japan. 



I have in a former communication remarked that the President of the United States enter- 

 tains the strongest desire, and cherishes a most fervent hoj^e, that the mission which he has 

 intrusted to my charge may result in the accomplishment of a treaty mutually beneficial, and 

 tending to avert, by timely negotiation, the consequences that would otherwise grow out of 

 collisions certain to arise, should the present undefined relations between the two countries 

 much longer continue. 



In the increasing number of American ships almost daily passing and repassing the territories 

 of Japan, the President is apprehensive of the occurrence of some further act of hostility towards 

 the unofiending citizens of the United States who may be thrown by misfortune upon your 

 shores, and hence his wish to establish a treaty of friendship, which shall give assurance of the 

 discontinuance of a course of policy, on the part of the Japanese, altogether at variance with the 

 usages of other nations, and no longer to be tolerated by the United States. 



