Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1855-06-21
pThs presentation Of Plate, which was

assembly ofladies and gentlemen, who oc-
cupied the Parade in front OF the State
House. 1t was intended TO have had a
military parade, but il being civic occa-
SION, this arrangement was given up, at tho
request of Commodore Perry, who did not
desire any such display.
There was one piece OF Plate, Salver,
made of silver, which weighs 800 ounces ;
it is the richest and most beautiful piece of
work, of the kind, that we ever saw; il was
manufactured by Gorham & Co., OF Prcvi
dence, and cost over One thousand dollars.
The following is the inscription upon it,
Presented
Commodore Matthew Calbreth Perry,
In the name Of the People
of the State OF Rhode Island,
by their General Assembly,
in testimony of their appreciation OF
his services 10 his country in
negotiating
Treaty of Amity and Commerce
with Japan;
and in acknowledgment of the honor
he has conferred upon his native State ;
maintaining the renown of
the name he bears, ''.
and adding to the triumphs Of
his profession, those of humanityand peace.
Feb. 2S, 1855. D., 4...
The Salver wa. placed on a table on the
top step, where Gov. 1loppin and Commo.
dore Perry STOOD, the latter being dressed
in full uniform. The balcony over the
steps Vas decorated with American flags.
Commodore Perry was accompanied by
Lieut.. Bent, Of the Navy, who was also in
full uniform. On the Commodore's lett wo
noticed DR.. Usher Parsons. of Providence,
who was a Surgeon in the Navy formerly,
and was in the battle Of Lake Erie with
] The elder Comnol6re Perry.
! 7ile iEaI r>s1 tsA- rflrcw't.rr- srr.u sf
Gov. TIoppin addressed Commodore
Porry as follows -
Respected Sir -
1t is with great personal qualification
that accept the honor to become the in
s,rument Of conveying to you a token of
the deep feelings Of respect and interest
with which tho General Asse mbly of Rhode
Island have regarded your course in the
late difficult negotiations with the Empire
o: Japan.
They have watched the whole progress
oi this important enterprise from its incep-
ton to its happy termination, with lively in
terest. They fct the singular embarrass.
ment Of your poSition,-the more so from
the fact That the honor Of your own native
State was in some degree involved in your
success. They had 10 fear, as far as your
self were concerned, that all things would
not be accomplished with Characteristic
faithfulness and wisdom,--but under all the
possible contingencies oi 30 great move
ment, the vast complication Of the details,
the distance Of the scene Of operations, the
rivalry of other nations, the total uncertain
~ Of the barbarian mind,-they could not
but have great solctsde. That solicitude
is now past. The object which was eyery
way worthy Of it, digniied origin, and Of
the energies and sympathes of great and
enlightened nation, has beon achieved |;
and achieved also, under God we believe,
mainly through your own perseverance, 80
gacity and skill.
Where many might havo failed through
over much boldness, or over-much tear, you
seem TO have pursued that golden middle
course that conducted TO perfect success.
That which has been acco plished is
held by the General Assembly Of Rhode
Island to be of the greatest moment-both
i'm the view of the commercial interests Of
this land, and the general interests Of hu-
manity.
Fhe Islands of Japan, stretching across
Is degrees of latitude, and containing prob
ably, as many inhabitants as the United
States, who are gifted as race with no
common degree OF intellectual force and In
dustrial talent,-these Islands, closed to
the world for nearly two centuries, and
never entirely opened to benefit, or to be
benefited by other nations,--have now un-
locked their gates al the touch OF power
which was clothed in kindness. This was
a new kind OF triumph. Military power,
even while carrying the sword at its side
and the thunJer-bolt at its command, yet
chose to employ the weapons of reason and
OF love.
The General Assembly Of Rhode Island
see in this certain foreshadowing of a
moro wise method of settling international
questions, and Of reconciling all diferen-
| ces between Governments.
The results Of the Japan Expedition have
proved that there need be no lack OF firm
ness, and no lowering OF just demands, in
the exercise Of the utmost spirit Of conci-
liation. The material advantages TO be de-
rived by our nation from the Treaty with
japan may be seen at a glance. What
Holland, by her Jealous inrlgues, has here
tOfore drawn from her commerce with Ja-
pan, in very limited degree, will probably,
in the course Of time be turned towards US
| in mighty stream. And the boldness and
wisdom which have secured tor us the first
place, will, as in the case Of England with
China, fairly contribute to enrich Us, while
shutting out no others. But Japan, AZ a
| stepping stone from our Pacific coast to
the coast OF ASIA, lying only 20 days from
California, aifording new depot for the
track Of Asiauc Commerce. and now