COMMISSIONERS DECLINE TO ADOPT THE CHINESE TREATY. 361 



shopman, and stated that six pieces of gold, six of silver, and the same number of copper, were 

 in possession of the chaplain. Yenoske requested that the Japanese money should be returned, 

 and was told it should be restored. 



The day appointed for the conference, on sh 've, wi^h the Commodore (March 16) proved 

 very stormy, and, accordingly, the interview was postponed until the next morning. In the 

 meantime, a communication had been received from the commissioners, in answer to several 

 notes of the Commodore, in regard to a projjosed treaty with Japan, on the basis of that between 

 the United States and China: 



Note from the Japanese Commissioners to Com,modore Perry. 



At our personal interview, on the 8th, you presented us a paper in which the President's 

 views were expressed; and, on the 11th, we received a reply to our letter, in which the same 

 views were given as at the interview in relation to the commerce your country now has with 

 China; both of which we have carefully examined, and learn that you wish to ascertain whether 

 we are ready to adopt the same that the Chinese have. The burden of that which you presented 

 on the 8th is similar to that which was sought in the President's letter, and you gave it, to 

 learn whether we would adopt it or not. In our letter, it was plainly stated that our Emperor 

 had but lately acceded to his throne, and all the numerous affairs of government required to be 

 quietly settled, and that he had no leisure for extraneous negotiations. Consequently, he last 

 autumn sent, through the superintendent of the Dutch shipping, to make this known to you, 

 for you to communicate it to the United States. 



Among those points which you now propose for adoption, the two items of extending succor 

 and protection to the distressed and wrecked vessels ou our coast, and of furnishing coal to 

 passing ships and supplying provisions and other neces.sai'ies to those who may be in need of 

 them, are founded in reason, and ought to be granted without hesitation. But as to opening a 

 trade, such as is now carried on with China by your country, we certainly cannot yet bring it 

 about. The feelings and manners of our people are very unlike those of outer nations ; and it 

 will be exceedingly difficult, even if you wish it, to immediately change the old regulations for 

 those of other countries. Moreover, the Chinese have long had intercourse with western 

 nations, while we have had dealings at Nagasaki with only the people of Holland and China. 

 Beside them, it mattered not for us to trade with those of any other land ; and this has made 

 our exchange of commodities very small. 



The ships of your country must, therefore, begin your trade at Nagasaki during the first 

 moon of our next year, where they can procure fuel, water, coal, and other things ; but as our 

 ideas of things, and what we each like, are still very dissimilar, as are also our notions of the 

 prices or worth of things, this makes it indispensable that we both first make a mutual trial and 

 examination, and then, after five years, we can open another jiort for trade, T\'liich will be 

 convenient for your ships when passing. 



The points of the treaty you have now presented for our deliberation, and this now given to 

 you can be retained by each as evidence of our separate views. 



Kayet, *Ith year, 2d moon, Vjtli day. {March 15, 1854.) 



HAYASHI. 



IDO. 



IZAWA. 



UDONO. 



40. I 



