In 1854, Perry returned to Edo Bay to take the reply of the Japanese government from the letter that he delivered last year. A translation of the letter was made. Explore the contents of the reply of the Japan to the presidential letter.
TRANSLATION OF ANSWER TO THE LETTER OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN
The
return of your excellency, as ambassador of the United States to this Empire,
has been expected according to the letter of his Majesty the President, which
letter your excellency delivered last year to his Majesty the Emperor of this
Empire.
It
is quite impossible to give satisfactory answer at once to all the proposals of
your government, as it most positively forbidden by the laws of our Imperial
ancestors; but for us to continue attached to the ancient laws, seems to
misunderstand the spirit of the age; however, we are governed now by imperative
necessity.
At
the visit of your excellency last year to this Empire, his Majesty the former
Emperor was sick, and is now dead. Subsequently, his Majesty the present
Emperor ascended the throne; the many occupations in consequence thereof are
not yet finished, and there is no time to settle other business thoroughly.
Moreover, his Majesty the new Emperor, at the succession to the throne,
promised to the princes and high officers of the Empire to observe the laws. It
is therefore evident that he cannot now bring about any alteration in the
ancient laws.
Last
autumn, at the departure of the Dutch ship, the superintendent of the Dutch
trade in Japan was requested to inform your government of this even, and a
reply in writing has been received.
At
Nagasaki arrived recently the Russian ambassador to communicate a wish of his
government. He has since left the said place, because no answer would be given
to any nation that might communicate similar wishes. However, we admit the
urgency of, and shall entirely comply with, the proposals of your government
concerning coal, wood, water, provisions, and the saving of ships and their
crews in distress. After being informed which harbor your excellency selects,
that harbor shall be prepared, which preparation it is estimated will take
about five years. Meanwhile a commencement can be made with the coal at Nagasaki
by the next Japanese first month (Siogoots,) (16th February, 1855)
Having
no precedent with respect to coal, we request your excellency to furnish us
with an estimate, and upon due consideration this will be complied with, if not
in opposition to our laws. What do you understand by provisions, and how much
coal?
Finally,
anything ships may be in want of that can be furnished from the production of
this Empire shall be supplied. The prices of merchandise and articles of barter
to be fixed by Kurakawa Kahei and Moryama Yenosoke. After settling the points
before mentioned, the treaty can be concluded and signed at the next interview.
[Seals
attached by order of the high gentlemen]
Moryama Yenoske Source:
Hawks, Francis. Narrative of the Expedition of An American Squadron to The China Seas and Japan, Performed in the Years 1852, 1853, and 1854, under the Command of Commodore M.C. Perry, United States Navy by Order of the Government of the United States, Volume I. Washington D.C.: A.O.P. Nicholson, Printer, 1856.
Explore also:
Perry Expedition and the Opening of Japan (Part 9): The Treaty of Kanagawa
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