Washington sentinel., 1854-05-05

act which could possibly disturb the tranquility Of
yonr imperial majesty's dominions.
The United States of America reach from ocean
TO ocean, and our Territory of Oregon and State of
your imperial majesty. Our steamships go
from California to Japan in eighteen days.
Our great States Of California produce about
sixty millions of dollars in gold every year. besides
silver, quicksilver, precious stones, and many
other valuable articles. Japan is also rich and
fertile country and produces many very valuable
articles. Your imperial majesly's subjects are
skilled in many of the arts. / am desrous that
our two countries should trade with each other
for the benefit of both Japan and the United
States.
We know that the ancient laws OF your impe
rial m3jestys government do not allow of foreign
trade except with the Chinese and the Dutch.
But as the state of the world changes, and new
governments are formed, II seems TO be wise from
time TO time TO make new laws There a
time when the ancient laws OF your imperial ma
jeslys government were first made.
About the same time America, which is some
times called the New World, was first discovered
and settled by the Europeans. For long time
there were but few people, and they We're poor.
They have now become quite numerous; their
commerce is very extensive; and they think that
if your imperial majesty were so far 10 change the
ancient laws as to allow free trade between the
two countries, it would be extremely beneficial to
both
If your imperial majesty is not satisfied that it
would be safe altogether TO abrogate the ancient
laws which forbid foreign trade, they might be
suspended for five ten years, so as try the eX-
pertinent. If il does not prove as beneficial as
was hoped, the ancient laws can be restored
The United States often liinit their treaties with
foreign States TO a few years, and then renew
them or not as they please.
have directed Commodore Perry to mention
another thing TO your imperial majesty. Many of
our ships pass everyyear from California 10 China;
and great numbers of our people pursue the whale
fishery near the shores OF Japan. II sometimes
happens, in stormy weather, that one of our ships
is wrecked on your imperial msjesly's shores In
all such cases we ask and expect that our unfor-
tnnate people should be treated with kindness,
and that their property should be protected, till We
can send vessel and bring them away. We are
very much in earnest in this.
Commodore Perry is also directed by me to re-
present 10 your imperial majesty that we under
stand there is great abundance of coal and pro-
visions in the empire of Japan. Our steamships
in crossing the great ocean, burn great deal OF
coal, and II is not convenient TO bring 1t all the
way from America. We wish that our steamships,
and other vessels should be allowed 10 stop in
Japan, and supply themselves with coal, proyi.
sions, and water, They will pay for them iu
money anything else your imperial majesty's
subject may prefer and we request your imperial
majesty TO appoint convenient port in the south
ern part of the empire where our vessels may stop
for this purpose. We are very desirous OF this.
These are the only objects for which have sent
Commodore Perry, with powerful squadron, to
pay visit to your imperial maJesty's renowned
city of Notwithstanding, commerce, supply OF
coal and provisions, and protection for our ship
wrecked people.
We have directed Commodore Perry TO beg your
imperial majestys acceptance of few presents.
They are ofn great value in themselves, but some
of them may serve as specimens of the articles
manufactured in the United States, and they are
intended as tokens of our sincere and respectful
friendship
May the Almighty have your imperial majesty
in his great and holy keeping
In witness whereof have caused the great
seal Of the United States TO be hereunto affixed,
and have subscribed the with my name, at
the city of Washington in America. the seat OF
my government, on the thirteenth day of the
month of November, in the year one thousand
eight hundred and fifty-two. Your good friend
MILLARD FILLMORE.
BY the President:
EDWARD EVERETT, Secretary Of State.
The progress of the expedition, and lis proceed
ings up 10 its departure from Japan, have been
fully made known TO our readers through private
letters and public documents. But Commodore
Perry having been censured for not insisting up
on an immediate reply 10 the Presidents demand,
we copy from his despatch Of July 80 the follow
ing statement of reasons for the course adopted:
81 had not provisions or water sufficient to allow
OF my remaining on the coast month longer.
well knew that they could easily and very reason
ably defer for long time any satisfactory reply
for the reason of the alleged necessity OF calling
together and consulting the princes Of the empire
as also 10 consult the dairi or ecclesiastical empe
ror. Thus should be put off from day 10 day, and
ultimately lie obliged to sail without any satsfac
ton whatever; this would be construed into q
friu by hem "a iIsiaa n M n Ia
success Of my mission
Taking into view also the present disturbed
state of China, and the need Of one or more ships
of the squadron in that quarter, and considering
that not single vessel which had been promised
by the department should Immediately follow me
had yet Joined my force, and being without the
presents sent from the United States and those
expected in the Vermont was glad TO have a
good excuse for consenting TO wait until the ensu-
ing spring for the final answer of the Japanese
government
In the spring shall have concentrated my
whole force, and be prepared with store and coal
vessels, and all other conveniences, for remaining,
If it be necessary, an indefinite time 10 secure
such concessions as believe they will be con-
strained 10 make"
During his visit 10 the Japanese territory, the
commodore claimsto have secured the concession
Of several advantages:
"First. Guard-boats, which have up to this time
surrounded foreign ships by hundreds We're i'm
mediately dispersed by my orders.
Second Extensive surveys were made OF
waters hitherto unknown 10 foreigners, within a
few miles ofYeddo, and under the guns of numer-
Gus batteries.
sThird. The accomplishment ofmy predetermin-
ed intention 10 confer with one but dignltary OF
the highest rank in the empire, and OF being re-
ceived in manner honorable 10 my government
and myself and without the slightest deviation on
my part from those simple rules of diplomatic
courtesy recognised by our institutions.
"Whilst the governor of Uraga prostrated HIM
self on every occasion of addressing the prince
of Idzu, myself and staff were quietly seated OPP
poste the princes IdZu and lwami, and their sec
retary, with no more ceremony than was due 10 a
similar conference with any other commissioner
duly accredited.
Fourth. required, in the receipt and delivery
Of presents, conformity TO invariabe eastern Gus
tom, the United States should be on footing OF
equality, thus destroying the presumed claim hth-
erto held forth by China and JAPAN that all pres
ents to the respective cmperors have been ten
dered as tributes 10 superior powers.
"And lastly have endeavored TO inculcate The
idea that the government of the United States is
superior, in power and influence, to Japan, so its
overtures have been dictated only by desire TO
be on terms of amity with all nations, TO give pro-
lection TO our seamen and other citizens, and,
pecialy, TO cultivate friendly intercourse with
an empire whose geographical position has been
A., IL, ..laf afann no Nft m arcI n