222 
ITZABU VS. DOLLAR. 
Commodore Perry’s treaty, however, having just been 
signed before our arrival, we now had the liberty, through 
it, of landing and walking where we would. Hence it was 
supposed that we had the right to enter any man’s store 
and purchase that article which most suited our taste 
and pocket. But, as the raei'chant would in this case 
receive all the profit, tlie sleepless policy of that astute 
Government had taken care to introduce a defensive 
article in the treaty, which provided that “Americans 
should purchase every thing through the officers of the 
GovcrnvienV After which, vendors of all ranks and 
classes were given to understand that they were not to 
sell to any American except through an officer^ upon pain 
of losing their heads. Thus they had it arranged quite 
smoothly for the Government, and the revenue thus 
resulting was at least worth the trouble attendant upon 
the conception and execution of the idea, — which idea 
amounted to the following in plain English: — 
“These Americans,” they said to themselves, (those 
of Perry’s squadron,) “know a great deal about China. 
An American dollar is worth in China from fourteen to 
sixteen hundred cash, and a Japanese itzabu is worth in 
Japan sixteen hundred cash, also. An American dollar 
has a little more silver in it than three of our itzabu ; so, 
if we can make it by treaty equal to only sixteen hun- 
dred cash, we can receive them in payment at that rate, 
pass them through the mint, and — presto! — they are 
divided into three, each of which is worth as much as 
what we received it for.” 
How, so far as I can see, there is nothing but a very 
grand rascality and considerable cunning in the concep- 
