Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-10-23
OUR TREATY WITH JAPAN.

~
INDUCED by many of our commercial men
after the negotiation of Commodore Perry's
famous treaty, have been entirely dissipated
by the recent news from that far-off country.
that the hitherto sealed and secluded empire Of
Japan, after maintaining an unbroken solitude
for centuries, had suddenly opened her com
merce 10 our favored country, and granted the
privileges OF access and residence to our citi,
zens. There was something Of exullation,
too, felt and expressed at the fact that in ne.
gotiating treaty with japan, we had succeed.
ed in doing what England and France had in
vain attempted.
For ourselves, we never so construed the
treaty as some sauguine persons seem to have
done. We looked upon any treaty with Japan
as success. All that we expected was such
a treaty as would prepare the way for an ulti.
mate, unrestricted commerce. We did not
suppose, however persuasive Commodore Per-
rvs voice, Or however menacing his guns, that
Japan would, III one moment give up what
she had maintained for ages-her exclusive.
ness. We thought that the object of the Anne.
rican expedition was 10 gain foothold in ia
pan-to make an entering wedge. The treaty
gained the foot hold and made the entering
wedge.
Misconstruing il however, several Ameri-
can citizens proceeded to Japan, and estab-
lshed themselves in business. They were in
formed by the japanese authorities that this
they had no right to do under the treaty
correspondence at once took place between
these merchants, (Messrs. Reed and Dough
erty,) commander Rogers of our navy, and the
japanese Governors. The result was that the
merchants, after making formal protest against
the action of the authorities, returned to this
country.
Without undertaking formal and elabo.
rate argument Of the question, we shall simply
present the treaty with Japan, as We find it
in the New York Herald, and make few com
ments on it.
The Treaty with Japan.
The United States of America and the EN-
pire Of Japan, desiring to establish firm,
lasting, and sincere frienship between the
two nations, have resolved to fix, in manner
clear and positive, by means Of treaty or
general convention Of peace and amity, the
the rules which shall in future be mutually OBJ.
served in the intercourse of their respective
countries, for which most desirable object the
President Of the United States has conferred
T,r1 Gel
braith Perry, special AMBASSADOR OF the United
States 70 Japan; and the august sovereign Of
Japan has given similar full powers to his com
rnissioners, Hayashi, Dalfaku nokami, lido,
prince of Tsus-Sima, Izawa, prince Of Nina
saki, Udono, member OF the board Of revenue.
And the said commissioners, after having ex.
changed their said full powers, and duly con-
sidered the premises, have agreed to the fol
lowing articles
Article There shall be perfect, perma.
nent, and universal peace, and a sincere and
cordial amity between the United States Of
America on the one part, and the Empire Of
Japan on the other part, and between their
people respectively, without exceptions Of per.
sons or places.
Art 2.-The port Of Simoda, in the prin-
cpality of Idzu, and the port Of Hakodade, in
W
the japanese as ports for the reception Of Anne.
rican ships, where they can be supplied with
wood, water, provisions, coal, and other articles
their necessities may require, as far as the
japanese have them. The time for opening
the first named port is Immediately on signing
this treaty the last named port TO be immedi
a;ely after the same day in the ensuing Japa.
nese year. Note.-A tariff of prices shall be
given by the Japanese officers of the things
which they can furnish payment for which
shall be made in gold and silver coin.
Art. Whenever ships Of the United
States are thrown or wrecked on the coast Of
Japan, the Japanese vessels will assist them,
and carry their crews to Simoda or Hakodade,
and hand them over to their countrymen ap.
pointed to receive them; whatever articles the
shipwrecked men may have preserved shall
likewise be restored; and the expenses incurred
in the rescue and support Of Americans and
Japanese Who may thus be thrown upon the
shores Of either nation are not to be refunded
Art. 4.-Those shipwrecked persons, and
other others Of the United States, shall be free
as in other countries, and not subject to con-
fnement, but shall be amenable TO just laws
Art. 5.-Shipwrecked men, and other citi
zens Of the United States, temporarily living
az Simoda and Hakodade, shall not be subject
TO such restrictions and confinement as the
Dutch and Chinese are at Nagasaki, but shall
be free at Simoda to go where they please
within the limits of seven japanese miles Tor
nj from a small island in the harbor Of Simona,
marked on the accompanying chart hereto
appended: and shall in like manner be free to
20 where they please at Hakodade, within limits