680 THE JAPANESE NATION. 



Although the ports of Japan were nominally opened in 1854, it was 

 not until the appointment of Commissiouer Harris, in 1860, that any 

 trade was carried on. From a very small beginning it slowly but 

 steadily increased each year more and more rapidly. At first all kinds 

 of foreign goods were bought and found a ready market $ the imports 

 largely exceeded the exports, and the balance was paid in gold and 

 silver, the accumulation of centuries. 



Then came hard times for Japan ; imports fell off, for the people had 

 no means to pay for them. iSText came the great expositions in Europe 

 and America and a demand for the products of Japan — their tea, silk, 

 and art works — so great that the balance of trade turned in their favor. 

 A good market for cotton goods among the Japanese was created, 

 and to supply this demand the manufacture of cotton yarn into cloth 

 was commenced, and then as the demand increased, factories were 

 started with machinery imported from the United States. Then cotton 

 was imported, more factories built, the machinery copied and made by 

 the Japanese. Now Japan is exporting cotton goods to India and 

 China in competition with England, and will soon supply the market 

 of the nations on the Indian and Pacific oceans. 



Until 1800, all commerce between Japanese ports were in Japanese 

 junks and boats, then English and American steamboats took their 

 place for a few years, only to be supplanted by Japanese steamships, 

 and now one of the Japanese steamship companies is among the largest 

 in the world. They are now sailing to the islands of Australasia and 

 India; soon the Japanese flag will be seen at Tacoma and San Fran- 

 cisco, and will ere long drive out English and American vessels from 

 the carrying trade of the Pacific for the same reasons that they have 

 driven their vessels from the Japanese waters. 1 



The opening of the ports was followed by the establishment of 

 foreign banking, mercantile, and trading houses. Their number rap- 

 idly increased, and the trade, both wholesale and retail, was carried 

 on by foreigners, and all suits between foreigners and natives were 

 tried by foreign consuls. Gradually Japanese retail shops were opened 

 in the ports, then wholesale warehouses and banking houses were 

 started, and treaties made by which Japanese tribunals were substi- 

 tuted for foreign courts. Soon all this foreign trade must pass into 

 Japanese control. 



When we see what one generation has accomplished, and remember 

 that those whose fathers knew nothing about cotton or cotton goods, 

 nothing of machinery or manufactures, are becoming large manu- 

 facturers and supplying Asia, we begin to realize the magnitude of the 

 change, and wonder what will be the ultimate result of these new con- 

 ditions of environment to Japan and the world. The preparation began 

 on a small scale some years ago has been steadily carried on. The 



'Since the above was written, a contract Las been made for a line of Japanese 

 steamers to ply between the ports of Japan and Seattle in connection with our 

 northern railroads. 



