United States Consul to Japan, Townsend Harris, met with the Shogun or Tycoon of Japan in December 1857 and handed over a letter from President Franklin Pierce to Emperor. Explore the contents of the letter bellow.
Letter of President Franklin Pierce to the Emperor of Japan
Franklin
Pierce,
President
of the United States of America,
To
his Majesty the Emperor of Japan.
Great
and Good Friend!
It
has occurred to me that the existing Treaty between the United States and Japan
might be so amended as to secure greater facilities for the exchange of the
rich and varied productions of Your Majesty’s vast empire for those of the
United States. I have accordingly made choices of the bearer of this letter
Townsend Harris, Esquire, a citizen of this country who has already been accredited
to Your Majesty’s Minister for Foreign Affairs as the Consul General of the
United States to confer upon the subject with such Ministers or other officers
as your Majesty may designate. I trust that they may agree upon the terms of a
treaty which will strengthen and perpetuate the bonds of amity between the
United States and Japan as well as increase the commercial intercourse between
them to their mutual advantage.
I
trust that Your Majesty will receive Mr. Harris with kindness, and will place
entire confidence in all the representations which he may make to Your Majesty
in my behalf.
I
pray God to have Your Majesty in His safe and holy keeping.
To
these presents I have caused the seal of the United States to be affixed and
have subscribed the same with my hand, at
the City of Washington on the twelfth day of September in the year of the
Christian Era, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Franklin
Pierce.
By
the President
W.S.
Marcy,
Secretary
of State.
Source:
"Franklin Pierce to the Emperor of Japan." in National Archives Catalog. Accessed on May 29, 2016. URL: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6158462
Explore also:
The Bakumatsu (Part 1): Opening of Japan
Explore also:
The Bakumatsu (Part 1): Opening of Japan
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