Richmond semi-weekly times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 184?-1853, 1852-04-27
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

below:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, 10th June. 1851.
Commodore John III. Aulick :-Sir-The mo-
ment Is near when the last link in the chain OF
oceanic steam navigation is to be formed. From
CHINA and the East Indies, to Egypt thence
through the Mediterranean and the Atlantic
ocean, to England, thence again to our happy
shores, and other ports of this great continent ;
from our own ports to the southernmost part of
the lsthmus, that connects the two western CONT
nents, and from its Pacific coast north and south
wards as far rs civilization has spread, the steam
ers OF other nations, and of our own. carry intel
ligence, the wealth of the world, and thousands
of travellers.
1t is the Presidents opinion that steps should
De taken at once to enable our enterprising mer-
chants to supply the last link in that great chain,
which unites all nations of the world by the ear
ly establishment of line of steamers from Cali
lorna to China In order to facilitate the enter
prise, it is desirable that we should obtain from
the Emperor OF Japan permission to purchase
from his subjects the necessary supplies of coal,
which our steamers, in their out and inward vow
ages may require. The we'll known jealousy with
which the Japanese Empire has, for the last two
centuries rejected all overtures from other nations
to open It's ports to their vessels, embarrasses all
new attempts to change the exclusive policy of
that country.
The interests of commerce and even those of
humanity, demand, however, that we should make
another appeal to the sovereign of that country,
In asking him to sell to our steamers-not the
manufactures of his artzans or the results of the
toll OF his husbandmen-but a gift of Proyi-
dence, deposited by the Creator of all things in
the depots of the Japanese Islands, for the bene-
fit Of the human family.
BY the Presidents direction, | now transmit
to letter n the Enparor of
open copy which you are to carry to Jeddo his
capital, IN your flag ship, accompanied by as ma
ny OF the vessels OF the squadron under your COM
mana as may conveniently be employed in this
service. A Chinese translation of this letter will
be furnished to you by the United States Legation
at Canton, and sent to your anchorage at Hong
Kong or Macao.
At one of the latter places you will probably
meet with national vessel, detached by the
Commodore of the squadron in tho Pacific. IN,
you will perceive by the enclosed copy of CORES
pondence between this and the Navy Department.
to cary you number of shipwrecked Japanese
mariners, who were, some time ago. picked up at
sea by the barque Auckland. These men YOU
will take with you to Jeddo, and deliver them
over to the officers of the Emperor, giving them
through your interpreter the assurance that the
American government will never fail to treat with
kindness any natives of Japan, whom misfortune
liar treatment for such of its own citizens who
may be driven on the coast of Japan.
Tue letter of the President to the Emperor of
Japan, you willdeiver to such of his high officers
as he may appoint for the purpose of receiving
1t. 10 them you will explain the main object Of
your visit.
Mineral coali abundant in japan that the
government OF the country can have no reasona-
bic objection to supplying steamers, at fair
aS witt hiatt
One OF the eastern ports Of Niphon would be the
most desirable place for this purpose. Should,
however, the government of Japan persist in fol-
lowing out It's system of exclusiveness, you might
perhaps induce them to consent to the transpor-
tation OF the coal by their own vessels to neigh
boring island easy of access, where the steamers
could supply their wants, avoiding thus the neces-
sity OF an intercourse with any large number of
the people of the country.
1t Is considered important that you should avail
yourself OF every occasion TO impress on those
Japanese officers with whom you will be brought
IN contact that the government of the United
States does not possess any power over the reli-
glon OF Its own cities, and that there is therefore
no cause to apprehend that it will interfere with
the religion of other countries.
The President, although fully aware of the
great reluctance hitherto shown by the Japanese
government to enter into treaty stipulations with
any foreign national feeling which it is sincere
ly wished that you may be able to overcome-bas
thought it proper, in anticipation of this latter
favorable contingency, to invest you with full
power to negotiate and sign treaty of amity and
between the United States and the En-
pire of Japan.
Transmit, herewith, the act of the President.
clothing you with that power; as also copies of
the treaty between the United States and China,
with Siam and Muscat, which may to certain
extent be OF use to you as precedents. 1t is i'm
portant that you should secure to our vessels the
right to enter into one or more of the ports of
Japan, and there to dispose of their cargoes either
by sale or by barter, without being subjected to
extravaganza port charges; and even more impor-
ant is it that the government of Japan should bind
Itself to protect American sailors and property
which may be cast on their shores. The second
article of our treaty with Muscat, and the fifth ar
5ice OF the treaty with Siam, embrace these OBJ
ects.
Every treaty has to be subjected to the Senate,
or ratification, us you are aware. In considera-
Ion of the great distance between the two coun-
ries, and unforeseen difficulties, it would be pru-
lent, should you succeed in etfecting the object
proposed. to fix the period for the exchange of the
at three years.
am, sir, respectfully, your obed't sery't,
DANIEL WEBSTER.
The accompanying note from the Minister of
he Netherlands here, will also be found interest
ng -
TRANSLATION.
NOTE VERBALE.-It is a matter of public noto-
'lety that foreign vessels excluded from Japan
oy the government of that empire. twas never
heess, determined, in ls42 that, if such vessels
should be cast upon the shores of Japan by storms,
'r come there in want of provisions, with view of
asking for such commodities. water, food, Or
uel, those articles should be granted to them, en-
'equest
For fear, however, lest this determination
prompted as it has been by feelings of humanity
should give rise to any faseinterpretation, the gov
'rnment of Japan has solicited that of the Meth
,rlands to inform the other lowers that the above