upon it, recognizing the commodore's services in appropriate terms, was prepared by Marquis Ito.

The dedication took place on July 14, 1901, being the forty-eighth anniversary of the event. The government of the United States sent a squadron to participate in the exercises, commanded by Rear-Admiral Rodgers, a grandson of Perry, and there was also present RearAdmiral Beardslee, who was a midshipman in Perry's fleet. The Japanese government honored the occasion with the presence of its army and navy. The president of the association, in his dedicatory address, gave as the reason for the location of the monument that "it was at this spot that the modern civilization of our empire had its beginning. . When Commodore Perry set his foot on this shore the Japanese empire was enshrouded in the fogs of a seclusion of nearly three hundred years." He proceeded to review, "the complete and wonderful change" which the nation had made, and for which it was mainly under obligations to the United States. "This monument," he said, "is erected to preserve on stone our determination never to forget the friendship of the United States that sent Commodore Perry to induce us in a peaceful way to have intercourse with foreign powers." The prime minister of the empire also delivered an address of similar purport, in which he said: "It gives me boundless joy to participate in this grand celebration at this moment when the light of our progress is sending forth its rays with increasing brightness." Such an occasion and such a tribute are without a parallel in the history of nations. 1 Foreign Relations U. S. 1901, p. 378.

VI

THE TRANSFORMATION OF JAPAN

THE United States in 1854 had attained a commercial and industrial position among the nations of the world, which for rapidity of growth and for importance was unprecedented in history. It was an era peculiarly fitted for the development of American commerce. The unsettled political state of Europe, which had materially reduced its productiveness, had but added to the trade of the United States in the Atlantic; while the settlement of California had created a new centre of energy on the Pacific, and greatly stimulated national interest and effort in commercial intercourse with the East. It was but natural, then, that the people of the United States should have received the announcement of the success of the Japan expedition with satisfaction at the prospect of material benefit which it offered, and with pride in the American enterprise and skill which had opened a new field for their activities.

Up to the period when this expedition was initiated the two neighboring empires of the Far East had preserved a uniform policy in their relations with the Western nations. This policy was steadily persisted in to the point where warlike opposition was encountered. When confronted by a serious display of force, the

dissimilar character of the two peoples dictated a divergent course of conduct. The Chinese with blind obstinacy adhered to their policy, while the Japanese, though a warlike people, were able to discern the situation of affairs and yielded to the inevitable.

The government at Yedo negotiated with the American plenipotentiary under the persuasive influence of his warlike fleet, and made the best terms possible rather than hazard the consequences of a military conflict. But much had yet to be done by way of negotiation before Japan was opened to commerce and intercourse with the world. The first step, however, had been taken and the spirit of the age would not permit a backward movement.

The first appearance of a foreign vessel in the Bay of Yedo after Commodore Perry had taken his departure was that of the American clipper-ship Lady Pierce. She had been fitted out by her owner for a pleasure voyage, and, anticipating the success of the Perry mission, sailed from San Francisco for Japan. Fifteen days after the commodore left, the Lady Pierce entered the bay "as a token of peace and amity." En route at Honolulu a shipwrecked Japanese was taken aboard, and for his return the thanks of the authorities were tendered. The vessel attracted great attention by the symmetry of her model and the elegance of her appointments. Orders were received from the capital that "similar hospitality to that displayed toward Commodore Perry" should be extended. During the stay the vessel was furnished with all needed supplies, and at its departure presents were sent the captain from the

Shogun. But notice was given that thereafter all foreign vessels must resort to the new treaty port of Shimoda, as they would not be permitted to enter the Bay of Yedo. The favorable change in the demeanor of the authorities was very marked.1

The government of the United States lost no time in taking advantage of the privileges secured by the Perry treaty. The eleventh article provided for the residence of a consul or agent in Shimoda eighteen months after the signing of the treaty. Exercising some license as to this provision, a consul-general was appointed July 31, 1855, to reside at Shimoda, and a month earlier a consul was named for Hakodate, the other open port. Townsend Harris, of New York, was selected for the post of consul-general. His school education was confined to the academy of his native town, but his taste for study caused him to read extensively and also to acquire a knowledge of the French, Spanish, and Italian languages. He was trained for mercantile pursuits, and for many years was a merchant in the city of New York. For six years previous to his appointment he was engaged in commerce in the East as supercargo and merchant, and in this way had become familiar with the people of the Orient.

He was also charged with the negotiation of a new treaty with Siam, the one made by Mr. Roberts in 1833 not having proved fully adequate for the protection of American interests. This duty he was enabled to discharge successfully, and, after a short delay,

1 The China Mail, August 24, 1854.

continued on his voyage to Japan in a naval vessel which had been placed at his service.1

The San Jacinto with the consul-general on board reached Shimoda, August 21, 1856. Mr. Harris kept a journal during his residence in Japan, and as he sailed up the coast in sight of Fujiyama, he makes this entry: "I shall be the first recognized agent from a civilized power to reside in Japan. This forms an epoch in my life, and may be the beginning of a new order of things in Japan. I hope I may so conduct myself that I may have honorable mention in the histories which will be written on Japan and its future destiny." As indicated in this extract, he at all times during his mission evinced a laudable ambition, but it was tempered with a well-becoming degree of reserve.

From his first intercourse with the officials at Shimoda he was met with obstruction, evasion, and prevarication which sorely tried his patience. The governor said that it was not expected that a consul would be sent unless some difficulty should arise, and that no arrangements had been made to receive him and no proper house could be had. He advised the consul-general to go away and return in a year. At the official interview granted him and Commodore Armstrong of the San Jacinto, Harris was again requested to go away, and when he declined the commodore was asked if he would take a letter to the United States expressing a desire for the consul's removal, but he also declined. He was then asked if he would write his government and

1 For negotiations in Siam, Fankwei: The San Jacinto in the Seas of India, China, and Japan, by Dr. W. M. Wood.