While the treaty negotiations were going on the American officers and artisans were busy in unpacking the presents and explaining their operation. The telegraph wire was stretched, and offices opened at either end, from which messages were sent in English, Japanese, and Dutch, greatly to the amazement and curiosity of the dignitaries and people, who daily crowded the buildings. A circular railway was constructed and the Lilliputian locomotive and train of cars were operated to the wonder and delight of the throng of spectators. These inventions, the steam engines of the vessels, and the manœuvres of the marines, deeply impressed the Japanese with the marvelous power and genius of their visitors.

The Japanese officers had been hospitably received on their various visits to the ships, and had become quite accustomed to American dishes, and were especially partial to champagne and the other liquors served them. When the negotiations were practically completed, the commodore invited the Japanese commissioners, the attendant officials, and interpreters to a banquet on board the flagship. prevailed, and as the wine was became frequent on the part of some of the Japanese, who grew quite hilarious over the peaceful termination of the negotiations.

Great good-fellowship freely used, the toasts

At last the treaty was agreed upon and ready for signature, and the ceremony of signing took place at the hall of conference on March 31, 1854. Commodore Perry signed and delivered to the commissioners three copies of the treaty in the English language, and

accompanied them with translations in the Chinese and Dutch languages, certified to by his interpreters; and the commissioners signed three copies of the treaty in the Japanese, Chinese, and Dutch languages, and handed them to the commodore. Immediately after the ceremony the commodore presented the first commissioner (Hayashi) with an American flag, remarking that he considered it the highest expression of national courtesy and friendship he could offer. The commissioner, it is reported, seemed deeply impressed with the gift, and returned thanks with indications of great feeling.

The signing of the treaty was followed by a dinner, given in the hall of conference by the Japanese commissioners. It was served entirely in native style. It is recorded that the feast did not make a strikingly favorable impression on the guests; but they were greatly pleased with the courtesy of their hosts, whose urbanity and assiduous attentions left nothing to desire on the score of politeness. They departed, however, it was confessed, with appetites but scantily gratified by the unusual fare that had been spread before them.1

The treaty which had been agreed upon was all that was expected by the American negotiator, the doughty commodore, except as to the matter of commerce. The Japanese stipulated for the protection of shipwrecked sailors; two ports were to be opened, in addition to Nagasaki, where Americans might land, where vessels. might obtain supplies and purchase goods, and which

1 For narrative of events on second visit to Yedo and negotiation of treaty, 1 Perry's Expedition, chaps. xviii., xix., and xx.; for official report and documents, S. Ex. Doc. 34, cited, 116–167.

might be made depots for coal; and consuls or government agents were permitted to reside at Shimoda, the open port nearest the capital. It was not possible to secure the privilege in the open ports of unrestricted trade. Hope was held out that it might be granted later, but for the present the government had gone as far as it was able in view of the national sentiment, to meet the demands of the United States. Anticipating, however, that other nations would soon bring like pressure upon Japan for treaties, and that they might secure some additional privileges, a provision was inserted that the United States should enjoy all such privileges.

The commodore's anticipations were soon realized. Six months after his treaty was signed a British admiral sailed into the harbor of Nagasaki, and demanded like treatment as the Americans, and October 14, 1854, a treaty was signed with Great Britain similar to that with the United States. Russia followed January 26, 1855, Holland the same year, and other nations later.1

Commodore Perry had successfully performed his mission. Free commerce was not yet secured, but he had broken down the barriers of non-intercourse, and opened the gates of the capital to the access of foreign governments. The first important steps had been taken by Japan, and the rest would follow in due time. In all the negotiations the American commander exhibited marked skill as a diplomatist. True the squadron was a great support in the negotiations. But even with

that it was easy for him to make a fatal mistake; yet he

1 Nitobe's Intercourse, etc. 59; Japan, by J. J. Rein (translation), New York, 1884, p. 243.

made none. While he exhibited the firmness becoming a military officer of his government, he was careful not to wound the sensibilities of the Japanese. He fully and frankly discussed with them all the terms of the treaty, but at the point where further persistency was unwise he yielded to the wishes of the Japanese negotiators.

By his skill, patience, and courtesy he achieved a great personal triumph, and rendered an inestimable service to his own country, to Japan, and to the world. To his own profession he added great renown. England, France, Holland, and the United States have produced justly celebrated naval heroes, who have added imperishable glory to their countries, but none will stand higher on the roll of fame or as a benefactor of his race than the sailor diplomat, Matthew Calbraith Perry, who achieved a signal victory without firing a single hostile shot.

The treaty was hailed both in Europe and America as a great triumph of Western civilization. It was promptly and unanimously ratified by the Senate. The Secretary of the Navy, in acknowledging to Commodore Perry its receipt and the action of the Senate, wrote: "I tender you my warm congratulations on the happy success of your novel and interesting mission. You have won additional fame for yourself, reflected new honor upon the very honorable service to which you belong, and we all hope have secured for your country, for commerce, and for civilization a triumph the blessings of which may be enjoyed by generations yet unborn." On his way home he was highly honored by

1 S. Ex. Doc. 34, cited, 180.

the American residents at Canton, and after his arrival by his fellow-citizens in New York and other cities. Increasing years have added to his fame and to the recognition of his services to his country and mankind.

But in no part of the world has his work been so highly appreciated as in Japan itself. When the exchange of the ratifications of the treaty was effected in Japan on the 21st of February, 1855, the commissioners with whom the commodore negotiated the treaty sent him many messages of friendship, and the assurance that "his name would live forever in the history of Japan." So early did the Japanese begin to realize the value to them of his enforced negotiations, and time has constantly added to this realization. The "New Japan dates back the beginning of its progress to "the coming of Perry."

So strongly has that country become impressed with its obligations to him that an association in Japan set on foot a movement to erect a monument to his memory. The circular, signed by the president (a member of the imperial cabinet), setting forth the object of the movement, refers to the visit of Perry as "the most memorable event in our annals -an event which enabled the country to enter upon the unprecedented era of national ascendancy in which we are now living." The monument was erected upon the spot where the commodore first landed and held his conferences with the Japanese plenipotentiary. The money for its erection was contributed by the Japanese people, the emperor himself subscribing to the fund; and the inscription