Two things are desired in order that intercourse may be had: First, that a minister or agent be allowed to reside at the capital. Second, that commerce between different countries be freely allowed.

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

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.

If war should break out between England and Japan, the latter would suffer much more than the former.

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.

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