Townsend Harris
Townsend Harris
Townsend Harriswas a successful New York City merchant and minor politician, and the first United States Consul General to Japan. He negotiated the "Harris Treaty" between the US and Japan and is credited as the diplomat who first opened the Empire of Japan to foreign trade and culture in the Edo period...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBusinessman
CountryUnited States of America
communication mean west
The nations of the West hope that by means of steam communication all the world will become as one family.
war important arms
In time of war steamships and improved arms are the most important things.
country hands invention
Since the invention of steamships distant countries have become like those that are near at hand.
country japan desire
We were sent to this country by the President, who desires to promote the welfare of Japan, and are quite different from the ambassadors of other countries.
president wish may
The President wishes the Japanese to be very prudent about the introduction of opium, and if a treaty is made, he wishes that opium may be strictly prohibited.
country japan president
Japan and China are isolated and without intercourse with other countries; hence the President directed me to attend to or watch the state of affairs in China also.
desire matter firsts
If you make a treaty first with the United States and settle the matter of the opium trade, England cannot change this, though she should desire to do so.
country writing japan
If I write in my name to the agents of England and France residing in Asia and inform them that Japan is ready to make a commercial treaty with their countries, the number of steamers will be reduced from fifty to two or three.
country desire united-states
The United States have no possessions in the east and do not desire to have any, as other countries do.
war thinking president
The President of the United States thinks that for the Japanese opium is more dangerous than war.
war habit increase
The expense of a war could be paid in time; but the expense of opium, when once the habit is formed, will only increase with time.
art war people
The President regards the Japanese as a brave people; but courage, though useful in time of war, is subordinate to knowledge of arts; hence, courage without such knowledge is not to be highly esteemed.
children doors together
Open the doors to all. Let the children of the rich and the poor take their seats together and know of no distinction save that of industry, good conduct, and intellect.