Japan, like
China, had always been a sort of sealed kingdom to the commerce of the world.
The foundation of the States of
California and
Oregon, on the
Pacific coast, suggested the great importance of commercial intercourse with
Japan, because of the intimate relations which must soon exist between that coast and the
East Indies.
This consideration caused an expedition to be fitted out by the United States government in the summer of 1852 to carry a letter from the
President (
Mr. Fillmore) to the
Emperor of
Japan soliciting the negotiation of a treaty of friendship and commerce between the two nations, by which the ports of the latter should be thrown open to American vessels for purposes of trade.
For this expedition seven ships-of-war were employed.
They were placed under the command of
Commodore M. C. Perry, a brother of the victor on
Lake Erie.
The diplomatic portion of the mission was also intrusted to
Commodore Perry.
He did not sail until November, 1852.
The letter which he bore to the
Emperor was drafted by
Mr. Webster before his decease, but countersigned by
Edward Everett, his successor in office.
Perry carried out many useful implements and inventions as presents to the Japanese government, including a small railway and equipments, telegraph, etc. He was instructed to approach the
Emperor in the most friendly manner; to use no violence unless attacked; but if attacked, to let the Japanese feel the full weight of his power.
Perry delivered his letter of credence, and waited some months for an answer, without being permitted to land on the shores of the empire.
Meanwhile he visited and surveyed the
Loo Choo Islands.
In February, 1854, he returned to the
Bay of Jeddo, and finally effected a landing and commenced negotiations, which were happily successful.
The treaty then made stipulated that ports should be thrown open to American commerce, to a limited extent, in different Japanese islands; that steamers from
California to
China should be furnished with supplies of coal; and that American sailors shipwrecked on the
Japanese coasts should receive hospitable treatment.
So
Japan was first opened to friendly relations with the
Americans.
Before this treaty the
Dutch had monopolized the trade of
Japan.
Subsequently a peculiar construction of the treaty on the part of the Japanese authorities, in relation to the permanent residence of
Americans there, threatened a disturbance of the amicable relations which had been established.
The matter was adjusted, and in 1860 the first embassy from
Japan visited the
United States.
It was an imposing array of Japanese officials.
There was great opposition in the empire to this intercourse with “the barbarians.”
Civil war ensued.
A rapid change now marked public opinion III
Japan in regard to foreigners; and from that time the intimate relations, social and commercial, between the
United States and
Japan have constantly increased, with results wonderfully beneficial to both countries.
Early in 1872 the government of
Japan sent another embassy to the
United States, this one charged to inquire about the renewal of former treaties.
It consisted of twenty-one persons, composed of the heads of the several departments of the Japanese government and their secretaries.
Among them was an imperial prince—Mori—who came to represent
Japan at
Washington as charge d'affaires, and also twelve students.
The mission arrived at
Washington at the beginning of March, and Mori had the honor of being the first minister ever sent by his government to reside in a foreign country.
