'206 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



Captain A. Have you the Chinese copy? We will examine that. 



The Chinese copy was examined and found to agree in substance with the English and Dutch. 



Captain A. You perceive that the Japanese copy is the only one that differs from the others. 

 That was made by your own interpreters. Ours did not understand Japanese, and as the 

 original was made in English, any difference from it in the translation must be wrong. 



Commissioners. Yes, that is undeniable, the error is ours. 



Captain A. Now, I would like to see the Japanese ratification, that I may know how it is signed. 



Commissioners. It is not here. On finding that it differed from the English, it was sent back 



to Yedo. 



The objections to the Emperor signing the ratification were now renewed in the strongest and 

 most formal manner. The former assertions made on the subject were repeated over and over. 

 The discussion lasted three or four hours. I did not recede, but insisted that it should be signed 

 by the Emperor " Kubo," august sovereign, or person of the highest station in the empire, by 

 whatever name or title he was known ; one whose authority could never be called in question ; 

 and I further said, that as they declared the power of making and ratifying treaties, and doing 

 similar acts, was vested in the supreme council, it would be necessary and proper for them to 

 sign it also, and pointed out to them, that the American ratification bore the signature of the 

 Secretary of State in addition to that of the President. By this time I had learned that the 

 ratification they had brought down with them, was without the signature of the Emperor. I 

 now had the following note translated into Dutch and handed to them. 



" It appears that the ratification of the treaty brought by you from Yedo was not signed by 

 the Emperor, or august sovereign, as it should be according to the 12th article of the treaty. 

 Therefore it will be impossible for me to receive it in exchange for the one brought by me from 

 the United States signed and sealed by the President. I will prepare a letter to Abe Ise 

 Nokami, and send it to the governor by an officer ; and I beg the favor of him to forward it 

 immediately to Yedo. In a case so unexpected as this, it is my duty to inform the President of 

 the United States as soon as possible, that he may take such measures as he shall think necessary 

 for the honor and dignity of the country." The commissioners begged leave to retire with this 

 note for consultation. They returned after about fifteen minutes absence. 



Commissioners. We have agreed that the Emperor's name shall be to the treaty. The prime 

 minister will sign it by his authority. 



Captain A. It wont do. The President of the United States put his name to the treaty, and 

 the Emperor must do the same. 



Commissioners. We have no great seal like yours. 



Captain A. That is unnecessary. If you have any mark or sign which is put by the govern- 

 ment on public papers to show that they are authentic, such a mark will be sufficient. 



Commissioners. We have such a sign. 



The Japanese after some private conversation among themselves now said that, in order to 

 avoid misunderstanding and preserve friendship, everything should be done as I desired, and 

 engaged to have the signatures of the Emperor and supreme council affixed to the treaty in the 

 place and manner prescribed by me. A form was made out by them, and submitted to me for 

 examination. 



Captain A. This is all right. I will keep this to compare it with the treaty when it arrives, 

 to prevent mistakes or misunderstandings. How soon will you be ready? 



Commissioners. In eight days. 



