West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-03-24

and how to conduct his negotiations after
he Got there. lie was instructed from pas,
experience that arguments OF persuasion ad.
dressed to semi-barbarous people like he
Japanese, would be unavailing unless
seeoned by some imposing display OF military
force and power. Hence the organization
10y our government Of peuy's expedition of
armed war vessels, the high diplomatic
powers conferred on him TO make treaty
with Japan, under the distractions, and for
the objects before stated The President
instructed Commodore Perry as follows ,
"rhe President eoncuB with you in the
opinion that il Is highly desirable. probably
necessary for the safety Of the expedition
under Jonr command that YOU should sccuie
one OF more ports OF refuge Of easy access.
II YOU find that these cannot be obtained in
the Japanese Islands without resort To force,
1t will he necessary that you seek them else.
where, In establishing yourself at one or
more convenient points In those islands,
with the consent of the natives you will
pursue the most friendly and eoncililary
course, and enjoin the same conduct ON all
under your command. Take no supplies
from them except by fair purchase, for a
satisfactory consideration. Forbid, and at
all hazards preven, plunder aud acts of
violence on the part of your men towards
these simple and rnwarlke people, for such
they are described to be. Let them from
the first see your coming is benefit to them
aud not an evil. Make no use of force ex-
eept in the last resort, for defence II attacked,
and for self preservation. The President
approves the idea suggested by you of en-.
coursging the natives to turn their attention
to agriculture, aud has given orders to have
the implements Of industry mentioned by
you sent opt on the Vermont, together with
small printing press, with type and
materials tor printing Especially were the
japanese 10 be informed iha, the United
States did not intend TO interfere with their
religion, bn, the same would be respected in
good faith"
The President of the United States then
sat down, aud wrote letter in his own
hand addressed TO the Emperor OF Japan
which embodied the purposes. and objects
OF the expedition, which letter he objected
the Commodore TO deliver in person II
4 possible to the Emperor. That letter was
not in the suited verbose language Of modern
diplomacy, intended 10 conceal thought in.
stead Of expressing It, but was in the simple
language Of a father 10 his child, aud reads
as follows;
THR President or THg UNITED STATES
TO rng EMrRRoR or JArAN
MiIIard Fillmore, President Of the Uni,ed
States Of America, 10 His Imperial
Majesty the Emperor of Japan.
Cyeal and Gooa Etiead.
] send you this public letter by commo.
/ dofc Matthew g. Perry, an officer OF the
| highest fauk ln the navy Of The United
states aud commander Of the sqnadron
now visiting your imperial maJosly's
dominons
/, I have directed Commodore Perry TO
assure your imperial majesty that enter.
tain the kndcst feelings towards your
/ majesty person and government, and that
! have no other object In sending him To-
| Japan but 10 propose TO your impefiaI
majesty that the United States aud Japan
should live In friendship and nave CON.
mercia intercourse With each other
Tho Constitution aud laws Of the United
! states forbid ell Interference with the
/ religious or political concerns OF other
! nations. lave particularly charged
/ Commodore Perry TO abstain from every
act which could possibly disturb the iran.
guilty OF your imperial majesfy's do.
/ minions.
The United States ofAmerica reach from
ocean 10 ocean, aud orr territory Of oregon
and state Of California lie directly opposite
/ 10 the dOminions ~ your imperial malosly
| Our steamships can so from California to
| japan ~ eighteen days
Our great State Of California produces
about sixty millions Of dollars In gold cycrg
/ year. besides silver. quicksilver, precious
! stones, aud many other valuable articles.
/ Japan Is also rich and fertile country
and produces many very valuable articles
Your imperial maicstYs subjects are
I skilled ln many Of the arts am desif Gus
that ovI two countries should trade with
each other Tor The benefit both OF Japan
and the United States.
We know that the ancient laws Of your
| imperial majosiys government do not
/ allow Of foreign trade except with tho
/ Chinese and the Dutch; but as the state Of
me wOnd changes and new governments
are formed, IL seems 10 be wise. from lime
! TO time, TO make new laws. There was rs
Time when the ancient laws Of your i'm.
/ perial maJesiy's government were FIRST
/ MADE
Aboutihe same time America which is
| sometimes called the New World was first
| discovered and settled by The Europeans
For long time there we're but few people
\ and they we're poor. They have now be.
Come quite numerous their commerce is
/ very extensive and they think that II your
/ imperial majesty we're so fac to change the
ancient laws as 70 allow free trade be-.
/ tween the two countries. II would be eF
/ ircmciy beneficial 20 both
II your imperial majesty Is NOS satisfied
1 that y would be safe altogether 70 abrogaie
The ancient laws which forbid foreign trade
ihcy might be suspended for Eve or ten
| years, 80 as TO try thc experiment III %
i does not prove as benhcial as was hopod
| The ancient laws can be restored The
| United states often limit their treaties wiih
| foreign States 10 few years. and them re-
new them or not 1s they please.
I have directed Commodore Perry TO
| mention another thiug 20 your imperial
/ majesty Many Of our slips pass every
year from California % China sud great
! numbers Of our people pursue The whale
hshcry nesr The shores Of Japan. n some.
| tines happens IN stormy weather. that on~
| Of our ships ls wrecked on your Imperial
/ m4iesiy's shores. Iu ali such cases We asa
and expect that our unfortunate people
should be treated with kindness. ard dad
their popcrty should be protected en- wo
/ can send vessel snd bring fhem away.
| We arc very mnch in caracst in this
Commodore Perry "a also directed by me
| 90 represent 90 your imperial maiesty that
/ we understand there is great abundance
oi coal and provisions in the empire of
japan Our steamships in CROSSING the
I great ocean burn great deal Of coal and
I % is not convenient io bring t aiI flie wae
| ifom America. We wish that orr steam
ships and other vessels should be allowed
l tO stop in l7p1n and supply themselves
With coal. provisions and water They viii
pay ior them ln money or anything else.
ieri and we request your Imperial maitsty
I 20 app0lni z convenient port I1 The south.
crp part Of the cmpife whcrc our vessels
( msy stop i1l this purpose Wc arc terv
/ DESTROYS OF fhie