The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-15
him to enter into Negotiations which hoped WOULD

him to enter into negotiations, which hoped would
terminate in convention Of friendship and COM
merce, mutually advantageous TO the two countries
The Sultan Immediately replied, that as he felt
the advantages Of friendship and trade with the
United States, he was perfectly ready to appoint one
or more of his ministers to negotiate with me- and
he hoped to good purpose.
Accordingly, on the same day after the audience,
enlightened officers of the court, who brought me
letter from the Sultan to the effect that he had the
proper authority delegated to him to treat with me-
For greater personal convenience we agreed to 20
to abuan where after conferences for two or three
days, the articles OF convention were agreed upon.
These stipulatlons provide for mutual free trade,
free ports, and the establishment and rights of con-
sus.
From the Sultan's dominions, which formerly in
cluded Sarawak, large quantities of pepper, i,e,
wax, sage, ratans, dye-woods, antmony ore, and
other products Of the country were obtained by
tive craft and foreign ships, for expectation But Of
late years, the commerce of that vast and fertile
island, having been interrupted by pirates who sue
ceeded in ensting its principal chiefs in the same
runous course the agriculture of the country
became entirely neglected and fell off. together
with its commerce. But the recent successful
efforts Of European powers having restored security
to navigation in the Malayan seas, the agriculture
and trade of Borneo is again revivng and promi-
ses at distant day, to yield large supples of the
articles already named /; and also Of those valuable
products, gutta pcrcha and India rubber which may
be had cheap. and to any extent, from the virgin
forests OF that favored lands whilst at the same time,
the increasing laboring population, with increasing
wealth, will become great customers for our cotton
manufactures, which are greatly esteemed in the
country as also for other articles Of American indus
try. Borneo possesses likewise nexhaustible sup
plies of fossil-coal Of the very best kind
Whilst in the discharge of my late duties in the
East, but more particularly in Java / applied my
self likewise to obtain the most reliable information
on Japan, from persons having recently occupied Off
cial situations in that country, TIE result of which
thof nm ttoynp
at negotiation with that jealous and isolated people,
for friendly intercourse by any one Of the nations
Of the West, alone, would be likely to prove unsuc-
ccssiul. not improbably through the intrigues Of
agents Of other powers, who would represent such
object to be gsaspng and selfish and dangerous to
them. But, on the other hand, was led to believe
that a combined and JOINT demonstration by the
three principal maritime nations of the West viz:
the United States, England, and France, would pre-
sent an unmstakabe intimation to japan that the
day had arrived when she must enter into the great
family Of nations, and her hostile course to-
wards shipwTecked and other Europeans. who NAV
chance to be found on her territory, and no longer
doom them to close imprisonment or confinement
in iron cages, and otherwise torture them to death
but that hereafter they must be received and treated
In friendly manner, so long as they demean them
selve- in accordance with the laws and customs Of
the country and to invite them to open their ports
for the purpose of trade.
Our newly acquired possessions in the Pacific open
great present and future trade with China and In
dia, in following which, the islands of Japan lay in
the direct track, and nothing would seem more APP
propriate and becoming than that the United States
should take the initiative in moving the great COM
mercia nations of the West, all of whom arc inter
ested in removing obstacles and embarrGssments
from navigation to join her in removing this last re-
naming barrier.
About the time of my leaving the East the King
of Siam died, and he succeeded by his two bro
theirs, as joint kings As both of them have had
intimate intercourse, for many years. with Amer-
cans residing in Bangkok. from whom they have
obtained familiar knowledge Of our language
most respectfully suggest to you the expedency Of
making new attempt to enforce our treaty with
them, or remodel it for one which would admit a
consul. or other agent OF the United States. having
authority to hold official communications with the
king, restore the trade regards Americans to it's
condition as at the time Of MIR. Robertss treaty and
granting permission to the citizens Of the United
States to enter into, reside with their merchandise
and trade in Siam, and to acquire and hold property
of every kind, without the interference Of Samese
officers.
Since then the new government have thrown
Siam open to the English and Americans, by special
proclamation Issued in January of this year