Chap. XYII. ON OPENING NEW PORTS. 287 
of these places for a time.” The Ministers for 
Foreign Affairs, also, have addressed Mr. Alcock 
upon the same subject. They begin by stating 
that nearly three hundred years have elapsed since 
the empire discontinued its intercourse with 
Foreign Powers ; that recently, in consequence of 
the urgent advice of the President of the United 
States and of the King of the Netherlands, this 
old-standing law was altered, and foreign vessels, 
sailing near the coasts, were allowed to put in at 
the ports of Simoda and Hakodadi for fuel, provi- 
sions, and water. Again, after the arrival of the 
American Minister, the Government, having taken 
into consideration “ the existing posture of foreign 
affairs,” concluded the treaty of amity which lately 
entered into operation, and established free-trade 
in the same manner, first with Great Britain, Ac. 
But the actual result of this proceeding differed 
considerably from what had been anticipated. 
“ No profit has yet been derived ; but the lower 
classes of the people have already suffered loss 
thereby.” The price of things is daily increasing, 
in consequence of the large quantity of products 
which are exported to foreign countries ; and the 
people, when deprived of the means of gaining 
their livelihood, ascribe the cause to trade and are 
discontented. Even the wealthier classes, it is 
hinted, are likely to condemn the abrogation of 
the previously existing prohibition, and may 
desire the restitution of the former law. This 
being the result of opening two or three ports to 
