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

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

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

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.

Any nation that refuses to hold intercourse with other nations must expect to be excluded from this family.

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.

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.