384 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



our ports at all. Consiils may be accepted by and by, after experience has sbown their need ; 

 and we hope that all American citizens obey the laws of their conntry, and behave properly." 



" Co7n. Perry. True ; and I hope no difBculty will arise ; and this appointment of consuls in 

 Japan, as they are in China, Hawaii, and everywhere else, is to prevent and provide for diffi- 

 culties. No American will report his own misdeeds to his own government, nor can the 

 Japanese bring them to our notice, except through a government agent. This provision must 

 be in the treaty, though I will stipulate for only one, to reside at Simoda, and he will not be 

 sent, probably, for a year or two from this time." 



And thus it was that the Commodore had to exjjlain everything, and feel his way, step by 

 step, in the progress of the whole negotiation. 



" Japanese. The commissioners wish every point desired by the Admiral to be stated clearly, 

 for the Japanese are not equal to the Americans, and have not much to give in exchange." 



" Com. Perry. I have already stated all my views as regards our intercourse in the draft of 

 the treaty you have." [This was one prepared by the Commodore after the rejection of the 

 transcript of the Chinese treaty.] "Let the commissioners state their objections to it. This 

 treaty now to be made is only a beginning ; and as the nations know each other, the Japanese 

 will permit Americans to go anywhere, to Mount Fusi, all over the country." 



''Japanese. We have found restrictions necessary against the Portuguese and English." 

 Then followed observations by the Japanese on Pellew's entry into Nagasaki harbor, which 

 showed how much di.slike of the English that event had occasioned. A strong proof of their 

 remarkable caution was furnished by the Japanese at the conference held on the 28th of March, 

 when most of the terms of the treaty had been agreed upon. 



" Com. Perry. I am prepared now to sign the treaty about these three harbors." 



[Mr. Portman, interpreter, then read in Dutch that portion of the treaty which contained 

 such points as had been already agreed upon.] 



"Japanese. It is all correct except that we have objection to opening the port of Simoda 

 immediately ; if any vessels were to go there in distress, we would be glad to furnish them with 

 provisions, wood, and water." 



" Com. Perry. You have already consented, in one of your letters to me, to open that port 

 immediately. I am very desirous of settling that matter now, as I wish to dispatch the 

 Saratoga home to inform the government, before Congress adjourns, how matters are advancing ; 

 that will take some time, and there is no probability that any ships will come here before ten or 

 twelve months have- expired ; so that it will make no difference to you whether you put it in the 

 treaty to be ojDened now or in ten months." 



" Japanese. We are willing to put it in the treaty ' to be opened now,' if you will give us a 

 letter or promise that no shijjs will come here before the President gives his permission." 



" Com. Peri'y. I cannot do that very well, but I am willing to put it off ninety days ; that 

 will be about the time I shall return from Hakodadi ; it was your own proposition yesterday to 

 open that port immediately. I consent to this, however, to show you how desirous I am to do 

 what I can to please you. I cannot consent to a longer time." 



" Japanese. If we put it in the treaty to be opened now, we would like you to give us an order 

 that no ships shall enter that port before ten months." 



" Com. Perry. I cannot do that. But there is no probability that any ships will come here 

 before that time, as I shall not leave here for three months, and they will not hear of it before 



