, 1860-08-03
The American Consul-General 10 Japan

The American COnSnI-General 10 Japan
Townsend Harris, ESQ, the American
Consul-General TO Japan, is former New
York merchant, of great skill and ability
and extensively acquainted with the Gus,
toms, manners, and many Of the dialects Of
the East. He had passed several years in
India, China, aud many of the islands that
dot the eastern seas, aud was therefore con.
sidered by President Buchanan the fitting
person to Representatives, the treaty made
by Com. Perry with the Japanese-our
country at -ledaO, and to negotiate com.
mercal treaty with Siam. This duty he
performed ia manner entirely acceptable
to the government, and his labOrS h We al.
ready resulted in important advantages ia
American commerce From careful esli-
mate, made from reliable information, il
has been ascertained that the saving from
tonnage duty alone on American vessels
engaged in that trade. in the first two
years after the ratification of the treaty
with Siam, had reached nearly the sum OF
quarter million OF dollars.
Mr.. Harris arrived in Simoda, in Japan,
in the month of August, &56, aud imme.
dil;cly entered upon his duties ms Consul,
General. His first efforts were directed to
obtaining some notifications OF the exist
ing treaty under which the japanese would
only receive foreign coin at the rate OF
thirty-three cents on the dollar, and in a
few months he accomplished his FIRST tri-
umph over japanese diplomacy. From
this time Mr.. Harris steadily directed his
efforts to extend his personal social rela-
tions among the japanese His success
was remarkable. Travellers from all coun.
tries have borne their testimony to the
wonderful skill with which he had adapted
fIis habits and tastes to the peculiaritieS Of
the people among whom he was to make
his temporary. Unaided by any display of
military or naval power, isolated from all
counsel and aid, he ingratiated himself so
successfully with every grade of official per-
Sonages that he gradually won his way to
tue capitol Of the Empire. His visit was
made upon the invitation of the Emperor
and his progress from Simoda 10 Jeddo
could only be described as a triumphAl
march. His visit was signal;zed 10y a re-
markable event. lie was admitted to the
presence Of the Emperor. This honor had
been denied to all foreigners from time i'm.
memorial, and has been conceded to none
since the interview with Mr.. Harris, who
remained for several months at Jcddo, aud
while in that city was treated by the En-
peror's own physician, as q mark of dstin-
guished consideration. This interview with
the Emperor was soon followed by the
treaty of 1858, by which the Empire of ia
pan was finally and effectnally opened to
the commerce of the civilized world
BY this important treaty was insured the
liberation Of Christianity liberty to for
eigners TO reside in certain ports, to build
churches, and worship God according to
their creeds, without molestation; aud the
abrogaton Of all penalties against Japanese
who may embrace Christianity. In con-
formity with these provisions, the missions
of the American churches have already es-
tablshed stations in Japan. Bat the latest
diplomatic triumph Of Consul-Geuernl Har
ris remains to be noticed. A provision in
the treaties Of Japan with England and
Russia, which treaties were procured by
the especial and magnanimous intercession
of Mr.. Harris stipulated that the ratfca-
tions were sevcraIIy to be exchanged by
embassies from japan to the several coun-
tries interested in the result. Each OF the
foreign governments entitled to receive these
embassies were naturally solieitous TO be
first The British minister was especially
earnest on this subject. but his request was
met by provision in a subsequent conven.
ton made with Mr. Harris, on the 18th Of
March, 1859, which provides that t7-'ao en-
basSy shall leave japan for any foreign ma
tion before the mission bearing the japan
ese ratification bds arrived at Washington >
Under this stipulation the embassy is now
here Washington Star.