President Fillmore's Letter to the Emperor of Japan

By the mid-nineteenth century and for over two centuries previous, Western trade with Japan was conducted by the Dutch only (via annual visits of two vessels) and at the single port of Nagasaki where the foreigners were confined on the tiny island of Deshima. Subsequently, all attempts by other Westerners to open trade with Japan ended in failure or were repulsed by force. American interest in Japan coincided with the increased whaling activity of American merchant ships in the Pacific; the U.S. having recently become a Pacific power through its acquisition of California. Such long voyages naturally required the coaling, provisioning and refitting of ships while at sea. Yet whenever assistance was needed along the coast of Japan, American ships and sailors (as those of other nations save the Dutch) received rough treatment. For example, when the U.S. whaling ship Morrison attempted to land shipwrecked Japanese nationals in Yedo [now Tokyo] Bay , she was fired upon and forced to beat a hasty retreat. Nine years later, in 1846, Commodore Biddle of the U.S. navy sailed into Yedo Bay on a diplomatic mission designed to open negotiations for American trade only to be ushered off under veiled threats and with some discourtesy on the part of officials. Information was also obtained by the U.S. of the harsh treatment of American sailors shipwrecked off the coast of Japan and imprisoned in that country. Little wonder that the U.S. should finally, if rather belatedly, take decisive action both in relation to trade as well as the humane treatment of her citizens.

In 1852 Commodore Matthew Perry was commissioned to sail to Japan with instructions to deliver a letter from the U.S. President Millard Fillmore to the emperor. His squadron of four warships entered Yedo Bay [forbidden, of course, to foreigners] early in July 1853, after a six-month journey, to the utter consternation, if not wonderment, of the Japanese. It was the first time any Japanese had seen menacing, smoke-belching men-o’-war proceed into forbidden waters. Nothing availed Japan’s officials on this occasion as Perry left them in no doubt of his intention, come what may, to deliver the letter "to a high official." It was indeed accepted ceremoniously by a senior court counselor, after weeks of delay and prevarication left Perry unmoved in his determination not to suffer insult to him or his president. Nor was the trepidation of the Japanese allayed by his departure, for the Commodore promised an early return in the following spring with a larger squadron of the forbidding "black ships" for the expected favorable reply. That return visit was made in March 1854 and saw the signing of the humiliating (for the Japanese) Treaty of Kanagawa.

GREAT AND GOOD FRIEND: I send you this public letter by Commodore Matthew C. Perry, an officer of the highest rank in the navy of the United States, and commander of the squadron now visiting Your imperial majesty's dominions.

I have directed Commodore Perry to assure your imperial majesty that I entertain the kindest feelings toward your majesty's person and government, and that I have no other object in sending him to Japan but to propose to your imperial majesty that the United States and Japan should live in friendship and have cornmercial intercourse with each other.

The Constitution and laws of the United States forbid all interference with the religious or political concerns of other nations. I have particularly charged Commodore Perry to abstain from every act which could possibly disturb the tranquility of your imperial majesty's dominions.

The United States of America reach from ocean to ocean, and our Territory of Oregon and State of California lie directly opposite to the dominions of your imperial majesty. Our steamships can go from California to Japan in eighteen days.

Our great State of California produces about sixty millions of dollars in gold every year, besides silver, quicksilver, precious stones, and many other valuable articles. Japan is also a rich and fertile country, and produces many very valuable articles. Your imperial majesty's subjects are skilled in many of the arts. I am desirous that our two countries should trade with each other, for the benefit both of Japan and the United States.

We know that the ancient laws of your imperial majesty's government do not allow of foreign trade, except with the Chinese and the Dutch; but as the state of the world changes and new governments are formed, it seems to be wise, from time to time, to make new laws. There was a time when the ancient laws of your imperial majesty's government were first made.

About the same time America, which is sometimes called the New World, was first discovered and settled by the Europeans. For a long time there were but a few people, and they were poor. They have now become quite numerous; their commerce is very extensive; and they think that if your imperial majesty were so far to change the ancient laws as to allow a free trade between the two countries it would be extremely beneficial to both.

If your imperial majesty is not satisfied that it would be safe altogether to abrogate the ancient laws which forbid foreign trade, they might be suspended for five or ten years, so as to try the experiment. If it does not prove as beneficial as was hoped, the ancient laws can be restored. The United States often limit their treaties with foreign States to a few years, and then renew them or not, as they please.

I have directed Commodore Perry to mention another thing to your imperial majesty. Many of our ships pass every year from California to China; and great numbers of our people pursue the whale fishery near the shores of Japan. It sometimes happens, in stormy weather, that one of our ships is wrecked on your imperial majesty's shores. In all such cases we ask, and expect, that our unfortunate people should be treated with kindness, and that their property should be protected, till we can send a vessel and bring them away. We are very much in earnest in this.

Commodore Perry is also directed by me to represent to your imperial majesty that we understand there is a great abundance of coal and provisions in the Empire of Japan. Our steamships, in crossing the great ocean, burn a great deal of coal, and it is not convenient to bring it all the way from America. We wish that our steamships and other vessels should be allowed to stop in Japan and supply themselves with coal, provisions, and water. They will pay for them in money, or anything else your imperial majesty's subjects may prefer; and we request your imperial majesty to appoint a convenient port, in the southern part of the Empire, where our vessels may stop for this purpose. We are very desirous of this.

These are the only objects for which I have sent Commodore Perry, with a powerful squadron, to pay a visit to your imperial majesty's renowned city of Yedo: friendship, commerce, a supply of coal and provisions, and protection for our shipwrecked people.

We have directed Commodore Perry to beg your imperial majesty's acceptance of a few presents. They are of no great value in themselves; but some of them may serve as specimens of the articles manufactured in the United States, and they are intended as tokens of our sincere and respectful friendship.

May the Almighty have your imperial majesty in His great and holy keeping!

In witness whereof, I have caused the great seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed, and have subscribed the same with my name, at the city of Washington, in America, the seat of my government, on the thirteenth day of the month of November, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.

(Seal attached.) 

Your good friend,

							MILLARD FILLMORE

							 EDWARD EVERETT,

						       Secretary ofState.

[Ref.: U.S. Sen., 33rd, 2nd, Exec. Docs. #34 (1854-5), Vol. 6, pp. 9-11]
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