TREATIES OF OTHER POWERS WITH JAPAN. 387 



women wlio would "come and remain at Simoda." But more than this. It will be remembered 

 that the Commodore had submitted to them our treaty with China, and they had held it under 

 consideration for a week, at the end of which time they said, " as to opening a trade, such as is 

 now carried on by China with your country, we certainly cannot yet bring it about. The 

 Chinese have long had intercourse with western nations, while we have had dealings at 

 Nagasaki with only the people of Holland and China." Now what was " such a trade" as we 

 carried on with China ? The Japanese read in our treaty that five ports were open to us, tliat 

 permission was given "to tlie citizens of the United States to frequent" them; and further, 

 ^' to reside with their families and trade there." This they deliberately declined assenting to 

 when they refused to make a treaty similar to that with China. They surely would not afterward 

 knowingly insert it in any treaty they miglit make with us. The only permanent residence to 

 which they gave assent, and that most reluctantly, was the residence of a con.sul. Temporary 

 residence was allowed to our shipwrecked citizens, as well as to those who went to Simoda 

 or Hakodadi on commercial business. They are allowed to land, to walk where tliey please 

 within certain limits, to enter shops and temples without restriction, to purchase in the shops, 

 and have the articles sent to the proper public office duly marked, where they will pay for them, 

 to resort to public houses or inns that are to be built for their refreshment, " when on shore" 

 at Simoda and Hakodadi ; and until built, a temple, at each place, is assigned "as a resting 

 place for persons in their walks." They may accept invitations to partake of the hospitality of 

 any of the Japanese ; but they are not permitted to enter " military establishments or private 

 houses without leave." Without leave, our citizens cannot enter them within the territories of 

 any nation with wliicli we have a treaty. In short, the whole treaty shows that the purpose of 

 the Japanese was to try the experiment of intercourse with us before they made it as extensive 

 or as intimate as it is between ixs and the Chinese. It was all they would do at the time, and 

 much, very much, was obtained on the part of our negotiator in procuring a concession even to 

 this extent. 



But, as he knew that our success would be but the forerunner of that of other powers, and as 

 he believed that new relations of trade once commenced, not only with ourselves, but with 

 England, France, Holland, and Bussia, could not, in tlie progress of events, fail effectually and 

 forever to break up the old restrictive policy, and open Japan to the world, but must also lead 

 gradually to liberal commercial treaties, he wisely, in the ninth article, secured to the United 

 States and their citizens, without " consultation or delay," all privileges and advantages which 

 Japan might hereafter " grant to any other nation or nations." And the Commodore's 

 comments on this article, conclusively show, that he, at least, did not suppose he had made a 

 "commercial treaty." 



"Article IX. This is a most important article, as there can be little doubt that, on hearing 

 of the success of this mission, the English, French, and Russians will follow our example ; and 

 it may be reasonable to suppose that each will gain some additional advantage, until a commercial 

 treaty is accomplished. Article IX will give to Americans, without further consultation, all 

 these advantages." 



As far as we have yet learned, all other powers have been content to obtain just what we, as 

 pioneers, have obtained. Their treaties are like ours.* That of Russia is copied from ours, with 



• In a note to page 63, we have said intelligence had reached us of a commercial treaty between England and Japan. We 

 have reason to think this is a mistake. If there be such a treaty, we are entitled, under our 9th article, to all its privileges and 

 advantages, at onca. 



