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.

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.

The United States have no possessions in the east and do not desire to have any, as other countries do.

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.

In time of war steamships and improved arms are the most important things.

It appears that the English think the Japanese... are fond of opium, and they want to bring it here also.

If Japan had been near to either England or France, war would have broken out long ago.