ONE OP THE RESULTS OF “ PERRY’S TREATY.” 223 
tion of the above idea; but it is passing singular that 
they should have executed it successfully against Yankee 
forethought, or even, indeed, against ordinary common 
sense. 
How was so great a mistake committed by Commodore 
Perry? One asks in vain. We only know from sad 
experience that it was committed, and that the conse- 
quence of this depreciated value being attached to our 
coin results in a duty of just two hundred fer cent, being 
paid to the emperor on all American silver that enters 
Japan from American pockets, and that we Americans 
are the ones who pay that duty. 
When payment Avas made in gold we lost this same 
two hundred per cent., but the emperor gained little 
or nothing. The reason of this Avas that the difference 
between the value of gold and silver Avas much less than 
in other parts of the Avofld. So much for the Avay in 
Avhich Commodore Perry Avas weathered; and now for 
the fleecing consequences Avhich it entailed on us. 
W e made quite a grand displaj^ as Ave landed from our 
ten or a dozen boats and formed in marching-order 
under the dense shade of the grand old trees that lined 
the landing, Avhile tAvo drums and a fife took the 
head of the column and enlivened us Avith “both vocal 
and instrumental music.” We AAmre all in uniform, 
swords and cocked hats being the order of the day; 
and, to judge from the great numbers of the fliir sex 
that crowded the streets through Avhich Ave passed, 
there Avere Aveak heads in Japan also, who, like two 
out of three similar heads in other parts of the Avorld, 
were too apt to judge birds by their feathers. 
