These letters express the desire of this government that the opening of
the cities of Yedo and Osacca, and the harbors of Hiogo and Neegata,
should be postponed, for reasons that are set forth in the letter of the
ministers for foreign affairs.
In my despatch No. 26, dated August 1, 1860, I expressed my opinion that
it would be judicious to postpone the period fixed by the treaty for the
opening of the city of Yedo, and not having found any reason to alter my
views since writing that despatch, I respectfully request you to
reperuse the same.
I have never been able to visit Osacca, and am therefore unable to say
what may be the actual state of feeling in reference to the permanent
residence of foreigners in that city; but I am aware that it is in the
district called Tien, or Heavenly, by the
Japanese, from the fact of its being the residence of the Mikado, or
spiritual ruler of Japan, and it may well be that the residence of
foreigners in that district would be regarded with dislike by a portion
of the Japanese people. Hiogo is simply the seaport of Osacca, and its
opening naturally depends on that of the city, and Neegata is a minor
consideration.
The present action of this government would seem to be a retrograde
movement, [Page 795] but this opinion
will be somewhat modified when the present and the past are
compared.
Since July, 1859, the prices of all articles of export from this country
have risen from 100 to 300 per cent. A change so great and so sudden
could not fail to press heavily on all official persons of fixed and
limited incomes, and it is from this class that the loudest complaints
are heard; and these complaints will continue while they are in a
transition state towards a higher rate of salary.
The Dimios receive a large portion of their revenues in kind, and as they
dispose of all their surplus, they find their incomes greatly increased.
The effect of this is clearly shown by the fact that when I first came
to Yedo, in November, 1857, only thirteen of the Dimios out of some
three hundred were in favor of opening the country, while at the present
time about one-half of them are in favor of the new order of things.
I would respectfully suggest that discretionary power should be given to
the diplomatic agent of the United States in this country to act in
concert with his colleagues in such manner as he may deem most advisable
for the interests of both countries.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient
servant,
[Untitled]
To his excellency the Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs of the United States of America,
&c.,&c.,.&c.:
We have to state to your excellency that his Majesty the Tycoon has
addressed a letter to his Majesty the President on the subject of
the treaty concluded with the United States, and by his order a full
and clear statement of the fact therein set forth is to be made by
us to your excellency.
It was for a period of nearly three hundred years that foreign
intercourse was excluded from our empire. That ancient law, owing to
the pressing recommendation of his Majesty the President of the
United States, was somewhat altered, and it was resolved to allow
ships off our coasts to be furnished with wood, water, provisions,
and what they might be in need of at the two ports of Simoda and
Hakodadi.
Since the arrival in Japan of the minister of the United States, his
excellency Townsend Harris, we became gradually better informed upon
all that relates to foreign countries as at present situated, and
our government, taking this into consideration, concluded the
treaties of amity, recently gone into operation, first with the
United States, and subsequently with Russia, France, England,
Holland, &c, thus establishing freedom of trade.
This, however, carried into effect led to a result generally
experienced and very different from what was anticipated: no benefit
has been derived, but the lower class of the nation has suffered
from it already.
The prices of articles of general consumption are daily advancing,
owing to extensive exportation to foreign countries, while but
little is imported into our country; and the people of the humbler
class, not being able to supply their wants as heretofore, attribute
this to foreign trade, and occasionally express themselves to that
effect. Yea, even the higher and wealthier classes are generally not
favorably disposed towards commerce; so that soon there may be those
who will condemn the abrogation of the prohibition of former times,
and desire the re-establishment of the ancient law.
The policy of exclusion of foreign intercourse was like an
established custom, and had deeply taken root in the national mind,
that knew nothing of intercourse with foreign powers. It would,
therefore, be a matter of great difficulty [Page 796] to allay the feeling of uneasiness with which
public opinion regards the change of policy, even if the difficulty
already mentioned did not exist.
While this disadvantage has made itself felt throughout the empire, a
general uneasiness is created by referring to the stipulation
according to which the ports of Hiogo and Neegata are to be opened,
and foreign trade is to be carried on at Yedo and Osacca, which
stipulation is to be found in the 3d article of the treaty, and
published accordingly. As the time approaches that this stipulation
is to be carried out, a greater anxiety manifests itself from an
apprehension that the disadvantage and the loss already experienced
are to be further increased.
In the present state of public opinion it would be a matter of great
difficulty for the government to exert its power and authority for
the purpose of demonstrating the benefits to be realized at some
future day, and thus causing it to submit to the present uneasiness
for some time longer.
To look at things in their present and not in their prospective state
is the habit of ignorant people. Should recourse be had to strong
measures to accomplish the purpose, the extent of the calamity to
result from such action, in direct opposition to public opinion,
could not well be estimated. And as for Neegata, there are several
sand banks at the entrance of that harbor, which render it unfit to
be visited by ships of foreign nations. The minister of the United
States, his excellency Townsend Harris, is also of opinion that that
place lacks the requirements for commercial purposes. Another
suitable port ought, therefore, to be selected and opened on the
west coast, according to stipulation. This has not yet taken place,
and the selection has been delayed, owing to adverse winds and
currents at the time of examination of that coast, which examination
had then to be discontinued.
In view of the present state of affairs, the proper time to make
suitable arrangements should be waited for. Therefore the opening of
the two ports and the two cities should be postponed; public opinion
reassured and gradually prepared; commerce organized by degrees;
prices of things find their level, and the old custom changed in
such a manner that a prosperous intercourse with foreign countries
may become the wish of the nation.
Under such circumstances it would not be difficult to open the two
ports and the two cities.
Like the sailor under a head wind, who waits until the wind becomes
favorable, so should there be patience in waiting for the proper
time for perfecting the matter without pressure or compulsion of any
kind. For the above-mentioned reason it is desired to postpone the
opening referred to for a period of seven years, according to the
Japanese era, until the close of the year of the next Hinoto,
corresponding to the year 1868 of your era.
It may be expected that such arrangements, allowing time for
preparation, will soon bear good fruit and prevent difficulties.
Should, however, any pressure be brought to bear upon this matter,
the evil consequences of such a course could not well be averted,
though it be in accordance with the treaty. This is the true state
of affairs. People are apt not to heed the recommendation of others,
but to be in favor of all that they themselves originate. This is a
common thing in human nature.
The best course to be pursued is to take into consideration the true
nature of men and things; to use no compulsion; to enlighten the
people by degrees, and to prepare the time when of their own accord
they will look to the future with confidence; and surely there will
be no other means to meet the present emergency.
As, however, the postponement of fulfilment of any treaty stipulation
may lead to a disagreeable impression being formed, we hesitated
until now to make this communication. We have taken the subject
repeatedly in mature consideration, and feel confident that there is
but one way to arrange the matter, [Page 797] and that is as above suggested. This measure
is not only in the interest of our empire, but it will undoubtedly
tend to strengthen the existing ties of friendship, and to secure
the advantages of commerce permanently. For this reason has his
Majesty the Tycoon addressed a letter to his Majesty the President,
with the object of postponing the opening of the two ports and the
two cities as above mentioned.
We consulted the ministers of foreign powers on this subject, and
also fully explained it to the Prussian minister, last arrived, who
agreed to the reasons set forth, in consequence of which, in the
treaty concluded with Prussia, the article referring to the two
ports and the two cities was omitted.
It is our heartfelt desire that your excellency will take the
foregoing in due consideration, and in view of the urgency of the
case and the importance of our statement, be pleased to submit the
matter to his Majesty the President, and cause it to be settled and
accepted in conformity with our wishes, and for the perpetuation of
the existing friendship between the two countries.
We also consulted his excellency Townsend Harris on the subject, who
partly agrees with us. A communication by him will also be made to
your excellency.
We further beg leave to inform you that similar communications have
been sent to the governments of those powers having treaties with
Japan.
Stated with respect and courtesy.
On the 23d day of the 3d month of the 1st year of Runkin.
KUDSI YAMATO NO KAMI.
ANDO TSUSIMA NO KAMI.
The Tycoon of Japan to the President of the United
States:
Greeting: I have to state to your Majesty the President of the United
States of America, that since a treaty was concluded between my
empire and the United States, the relations between the two
countries have been in steady progress of organization, and that the
time approaches when much of what is stipulated in that treaty is to
go into effect. But there are several obstacles in the way of
execution of that article of the treaty which relates to the opening
of the ports of Hiogo and Neegata, and the admittance of foreign
trade in the cities of Yedo and Osacca. I therefore desire to
postpone the opening of the places above named. More particular
information on this subject will be communicated by the members of
my council for foreign affairs, Kudsi Yamato no Kami and Ando
Tsusima no Kami, to the minister of foreign affairs of the United
States. I hope that your Majesty, animated by friendly feeling, will
consent to this.
I wish happiness and prosperity to the United States.
On the 23d day of the 3d month of the 1st year of Runkin.
[Name of his Majesty the Tycoon.]
