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A HANDBOOK OF MODERN JAPAN

then independent, and later visited also by Commodore Perry on his way from China to Japan. Ronald McDonald was an Oregon boy, who, "voluntarily left adrift, got into Yezo, and thence to Nagasaki." He is reported to have puzzled the Japanese authorities by stating that in America "the people are king and the source of authority"! This period of seclusion came to an end on July 14, 1853, when the Japanese, contrary to their own laws, received from Commodore Perry the letter from President Fillmore to the Emperor of Japan.^[1]

II. Period of Treaty-Making (1854-1858).

CHRONOLOGY.

1854. Perry's treaty of peace and amity.
          British treaty of peace and amity.
1855. Russian treaty of peace and amity.
          Terrible earthquake.
1856. Fire in Yedo; 100,000 lives lost.
          Dutch treaty of peace and amity.
          Townsend Harris, United States Consul, arrived.
1857. Harris in audience with the Shōgun.
1858. Harris treaty of trade and commerce.
          Elgin treaty of trade and commerce.

↑ The following is what the Japanese themselves stated about this event: "The letter of the President of the United States of North America, and copy, are hereby received and delivered to the Emperor. Many times it has been communicated that business relating to foreign countries cannot be transacted here at Uraga, but in Nagasaki. Now, it has been observed that the Admiral, in his quality of ambassador of the President, would be insulted by it; the justice of this has been acknowledged; consequently, the above-mentioned letter is hereby received, in opposition to the Japanese law."

[1] The following is what the Japanese themselves stated about this event: "The letter of the President of the United States of North America, and copy, are hereby received and delivered to the Emperor. Many times it has been communicated that business relating to foreign countries cannot be transacted here at Uraga, but in Nagasaki. Now, it has been observed that the Admiral, in his quality of ambassador of the President, would be insulted by it; the justice of this has been acknowledged; consequently, the above-mentioned letter is hereby received, in opposition to the Japanese law."

[1]