, 1854-11-18
The Treaty Of Kanagava.

AuC 1Ttdly VI Au0aSaWa.
On the first of May last we announced
the arrival Of the Saratoga, with bearer
Of dispatches from Com. Perry to the 20,
vernment at Washington. The treaty il.
self which had been concluded between the
Commissioners of the two governments,
was not made public, and some Of its pro.
Visions were not clearly apprehended at
that time. 1t has now appeared in the
public prints, and we give it in full on our
first page this week. 1t was unanimously
confirmed by the Senate of the United
States on the 18th Of July, aud only awaits
the exchange of ratihcationS, to become a
law Of the two countries.
1t will be observed that the port Of ST.
moda is to be opened Immediately on the
signing Of the treaty, while that of Hak-
odade will not be opened until a year after
that event. In this particular The treaty
is more favorable than our first information n
led us to anticipate.
There are some imperfections in the
treaty which it would have been well to
have reeti6ed, before the notifications were
exchanged; but it is quite probable that
the fear of causing delay, or Of losing what
has really been gained, induced the Senate
to confirm it as it was, rather than hazard
all by attempted amendment. For in
stance, Article Sd stipulates that the Jap
anese shall assist the crews of American
vessels wrecked on the Japan coast, and
convey them to Simoda or Hakodade, and
adds, the expenses incurred in the rescue
and support Of American and japanese,
who may thus be thrown upon the shores
Of either country, shall no. be refunded .
As nsthing had been previously said res
pecting Japanese sailors wrecked upon the
American coast, 1t may be a matter Of dis
pute whether Japanese sailors, wrecked on
the shores Of Oregon or California, are to
be returned TO SimOda or Hakodade, at the
expense Of the American government, or
at what other point they are to be deliv-
cred.
Article 4th, also stipulates that Citizens
Of the United States shall be free as in 9th
1 e0HHtries," while article 5th restricts
them "IOithiR The limits of seren japanese
Miles." This restriction may cause trouble,
If the liberty allowed in the former article
is insisted upon; and it would have possibly
prevented all ground Of disagreement and
collision, had the wording Of the treaty
been more oarefslly attended to. -r
But with these defects, which may in
part be occasioned by defective transla-
tion from difficult language not very tho
roughly understood by any foreigners-the
treaty reflects great credit upon Com. Per-
ry and the government he represents; and
his skill in diplomacy, by which he over
came so many obstacles, may well be COM
meuded, as Of a high order. He has ac-
complished q most desirable object in a
most exemplary y'manner, and without the
employment OF any means which might
canse himself or his country to blush, when
investigated or made public.
Should the working Of the details be
found troublesome, it can be remedied at
leisure, and il may be found conducive to
the interests Of both nations before many
years, to substitute, for this treaty of amity
and friendship, one Of commerce, which
shall more fully open that interesting coun-
try to the commerce Of the world in a much
moro efectual manner than the present
treaty proposes to do.
A great achievement has been accom-
plished by Commodore Perry, in peaceful
way, and at triding expense; and that
too, without exciting the hatred ofthe ia
panese. Greater privileges might possibly
have been secured had an unjust war been
waged, at the expense Of many millions Of
dollars and treaty dictated under the
menace Of force capable Of Injecting still
greater injury. But the present treaty,
although il does not secure all that might
be desired, leaves no sting behind to rankle
in the hearts Of the Japanese POIyne-
Siaa.