Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-10-26
Japan and the Japan Treaty.


fewer study them with proper regard TO their effect
and meaning. The treaty made with Japan is an in
stance in point. We don't believe that one man in
fifty thousand, if asked about it, could tell upon the
spur of the moment what its stpulatons really are
although all the world has talked magniloqueny of
the achievement of Commodore Perry in opening up
the Hermetic Empire TO the trade of the model Re-
public. A recent event has drawn attention more
directly to the matter Messrs. Reed and Dougherty,
American merchants of San Francisco have endea-
vored to establish mercantile house at Smoda, and
failed These gentlemen fitted out a schooner, and,
it is said, loaded her with ship stores, and made
fragments to purchase cargo of Japanese goods TO
carry to the United States At Simoda, some ship
wrecked Russians, from a wrecked man. of war, we
believe engaged the schooner to carry them to the
Russian ports in Asia, Petropolowski, or the Amour
River. The schooner sailed. Messrs Reed & Dough-
erty remained The Japanese authorities did not like
it. They concluded that the treaty did not contem
plate any permanent residence at any port in Japan
When the schooner returned, the merchants had to
leave in her forthwith. They applied to Commodore
Rogers, comma nding u. S. Naval forces in the Chi
nese seas He correspondent with the authorities
the authorities said that they carrying out the
pEofISlOIle vi Tue treaty CnelI OAuo'0 anu
the understanding of their government. Commo-
dore Rogers declined farther Interference upon the
ground that the delicate matter of the Interpretation
OF treaties was beyond his instructions. We annex
the treaty. 1t will be manifest that the main diff
Guilty in this case, consists in the Interpretation to be
placed upon the 5th Article. The treaty, strangely
enough, only signed by M. C. Perry, U. S. Com
missioner The gentlemen with the awful names,
would not append their signatures after "Our Lord
Jesus Christ, in the last paragraph to Chris
tanity being an institution of the Empire. They did
something equivalent to signing.
THE TREATY WITH JAPAN.
The United States of America and the Empire of
Japan desiring establish firm, lasting and sincere
friendship between the two nations, have resolved 10
fix, in clear and positive, by means of a
treaty of general convention OF peace and aity, the
rules which shall in future be mutually observed in
the intercourse of their respective countries for which
most desirable object the President of tn United
States has conferred full powers his commissioner
Matthew Galbraith Ferry, special Ambassador Of
the United States to Japan; and the august Sovereign
of japan has given similar full powers to his COM
missiOners, Hayashi, DaI-gaku.n no. ami, Ido prince
of Tsus- Sima, zawa, prince of Mima-saki, and lido
no, member Of the board of revenue. And the said
commissioners, after having exchanged their said full
powers and duly considered the premises have agreed
to the following articles:
| ART. l. There shall be perfect, permanent, and
universal peace and sincere and cordial amity be-
tween the United States of America on the part
and the Empire of Japan the other part, and be-
tween their people respectively, without exception
of persons or places.
ART. 2. The port of Smoda, in the principality
of Idzu, and the port of Hakodade in the principal
~ of Matsmai, granted by the Japanese ports
for the reception of American ships, where they can
be supplied with wood water, provisions, coal, and
other articles their necessities may require, far
the Japanese have them. The time for opening the
first named port is Immediately signing this treaty.
the last named port is 10 be opened immediately after
the same day in the ensuing Japanese year Note
A tariff of prices shall be gwen by the Japanese off,
GERS of the things which they can furnish, payment
for which shall be made in gold and silver coin.
ART g. Whenever ships of the United States are
thrown wrecked on the coast of Japan, the Japan
csc vessels will assist them and carry their to
Smoda or Hakodade, and hand them over 10 their
countrymen appointed to receive them whatever ar
tices 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 Cit
liens of the United States shall be free in other
countries and not subject to confinement, but shall
be amenable to Just laws.
ART. 5. Shipwrecked men and other citizens of the
United States temporarily living at Simoda and Hak
1
confinement the Dutch and Chinese are at Nagas-
ka, but shall be free at Simoda to 90 where they
please within the limits of Japanese miles Cor
: 1i) from small island in the harbor of Simoda,
arked on the accompanying chart hereto appended;
and SHALL in like manner, be free to 60 where they
please at Hakodade, within the limits to be defined
after the visit of the United squadron to that place
ART. 6. IT there be any sort OF goods wanted, or
any business which shall require to be arranged
there shall be careful deliberaton between the par
ties in order to settle such matters
ART T. 1t is agreed that ships of the United States
res0tng to ports open to them shall be permitted to
exchange gold and silver coin and articles of goods
for other articles of goods under such regulations
shall be temporarily established by the Japanese gov
eminent for that purpose 1t is stipulated, however
that the ships of the United States shall not be per
mtted to carry away whatever articles they arc un
: willing TO exchange.
d ART. 8. Wood, water, provisions, coal and goods
required shall only be procured through the agency
of Japanese officers appointed for that purpose, anC
O in other manner.
ART O. 1t is agreed that if at any future day the
Government of Japan shall grant to any other natior
l. or nations privileges and advantages which are no
i herein granted to the United States and the citizens
thereof these privileges and advantages shall b
granted likewise to the United States and TO the cti
! zens thereof without any consultation or delay
= ART. 10. Ships of the United States shall lie per
med to resort TO other ports in Japan but Simods
and Hakodade unless in distress or forced by stress
of weather.
ART. II. There shall be appinted by the Govern
meRt of the United States consuls or agents to reside
IN SImoda at any time after the expiration of eighteen
months from the date of the signing of this treaty
- provided that either of the two Governments deem
- such arrangement necessary.
. ART. ~ The present convention, having been con
cluded and duly signed shall be obligatory and faith
re fully observed by the United States of America AM
is Japan and by the citizens and subjects of each res