The Treaty of Kanagawa (Hawaii Editorial) 1854

Source: The Polynesian. Saturday, September 9, 1854.

On the 1st of May last we announced in an Extra the arrival of the Saratoga, with a bearer of detaches from Com. Perry to the government at Washington. The treaty itself which had been concluded between the Commissioners of the two governments, was not made public, and some of its provisions were not clearly apprehended at that time. It has now appeared in the public prints, and we give it in full on our first page this week. It was unanimously confirmed by the Senate of the United States on the 15th of July, and only awaits the exchange of ratifications, to become a law of the two countries.

It will be observed that the port of Shimoda is to be opened immediately on the signing of the treaty, while that of Hakodade will not be opened until a year after that event. In this particular the treaty is more favorable tun our first information led us to anticipate. 

There are some imperfections in the treaty which it would have been well to haste rectified, before the ratifications were exchanged; but it is quite probable that the fear of causing delay, or of losing what has really been gained, induced the Senate to confirm it as it was, rather than hazard all by attempted amendment. For instance, Article 3rd stipulates that the Japanese shall assist the crews of American vessels wrecked on the Japan coast, and convey them to Simoda or Hakodade, and adds, "the expenses incurred in the rescue and support of Americans and Japanese, who may thus be thrown upon the shores of either country, shall not be refunded." As nothing had been previously said respecting Japanese sailors wrecked upon the American coast, it may be a matter of dispute whether Japanese sailors, wrecked on the shores of Oregon or California, are to be returned to Simoda or Hakodade, at the expense of the American government, or at what other point they are to be delivered. 

Article 4th, also stipulates  that "citizens of the United States shall be free as in other countries," while Article 5th restricts them "within the limits of seven Japanese miles."  This restriction may cause trouble, if the liberty allowed in the former article is insisted upon; and it would have possibly prevented all ground of disagreement and collision, had the wording of the treaty been more carefully attended to.

But with these defects, -which may in part be occasioned by a defective translation from a difficult language not very thoroughly understood by any foreigners, -the treaty reflects great credit upon Com. Perry and the government he represents; and his skills in diplomacy, by which he overcame so many obstacles, may well be commended, as a higher order. He has accomplished a most desirable object in a most exemplary manner, and without the employment of any means which might cause himself or his country to blush, when investigated or made public. 

Should the working of true details be found troublesome, it can be remedied at leisure, and it may be found conducive to the interests of both nations before many years, to substitute, for this treaty of amity and friendship, one of commerce, which shall more fully open that interesting country to the commerce of the world in a much more effective manner than the present treaty proposes to do.

A great achievement has been accomplished by Com. Perry, in a peaceful way, and at a trifling expense; and that, too, without exciting the hatred of the Japanese. Greater privileges might possibly have been secured had an unjust war been waged, at the expense of many millions of dollars, and a treaty dictated under the menace of a force capable of inflicting still greater injury. But the present treaty, although it does not secure all that might be desired, leaves no sting behind, to rankle in the hearts of the Japanese.