CONVERSATION OF THE COMMODORE WITH COMMISSIONERS. 385 



that time ; and when they do hear of it, it will take several months for ships to make the 

 voyage here. If you choose, I will keep one of the ships at Simoda for several months." 



" Japanese. If ships go there before that time, we shall not be able to give them other than 

 provisions, wood, and water." 



" Com. Perry. The ships that may go there will want such things only as you may have ; if 

 you have them not, of course you cannot and will not be expected to furnish them ; but, as I 

 said before, there is no probability that ships will go there before the expiration of ten 

 months." 



^^ Japanese. When you come back from Matsmai, we will have a plenty of provisions at 

 Simoda for the whole squadron ; but to other ships we cannot furnish more than wood, 

 water, &c." 



" Com. Perry. When we return from Matsmai we shall not want many provisions, as we 

 shall be going to a place where we can get a plenty. It is only the principle I wish settled 

 now. I have come here as a peacemaker, and I want to settle everything now, and thus prevent 

 trouble hereafter ; and I wish to write home to my government that the Japanese are friends." 



" Japanese. We will write you a letter stating that we cannot furnish everything before ten 

 months, but that we can furnish wood and water immediately, and that we will furnish such 

 other things as we possibly can. This letter we would like you to answer." 



" Com. Perry. Very well ; I will." 



^'Japanese. [Entering on another part of the terms agreed on.] We will not confine 

 Americans, or prevent them from walking around ; but we would like to place a limit to the 

 distance they may walk." 



" Com. Perry. I am prepared to settle that matter now, but they must not be confined to any 

 particular house or street. Suppose we make the distance they may walk, the same distance 

 that a man can go and come in a day. Or, if you choose, the number of lis or ris may be 

 agreed upon." 



" Japanese. We are willing that they shall walk as far as they can go and come in a day." 



' ' Com. Perry. There is no probability that sailors would want to go on shore more than once 

 from curiosity ; beside, they will have their daily duties to attend to on board ship, and will 

 not be able to go on shore." 



" Japanese. We do not want any women to come and remain at Simoda." 



" Com. Perry. The probability is but few women will go there, and they only the wives of 

 the officers of the shijDS." 



"■ Japanese. When you come back from Matsmai we would like you to settle the distance 

 Americans are to walk. It is difficult for us to settle the distance." 



" Com. Perry. Say the distance of seven Japanese miles in any direction from the centre of 

 the city of Simoda." 



'■'■Japanese. Very well. A few miles will make no difference. You are requested not to 

 leave agents until after you have experienced that it is necessary." 



" Com. Perry. I am willing to defer the appointment of a con.sul or agent one year or eighteen 

 months from the date of signing the treaty ; and then, if my government think it necessary, it 

 will send one." 



In fact, not an article of the treaty was made but upon the most serious deliberation by the 

 Japanese. In answer to a question from Captain Adams, in the very first stages of the negoti- 

 ation, they replied : "The Japanese are unlike the Chinese; they are averse to change ; and 

 49 J 



