When the ambassadors of other foreign countries come to Japan to make treaties, they can be told that such and such a treaty has been made with the ambassador of the United States, and they will rest satisfied with this.

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

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

By means of steam one can go from California to Japan in eighteen days.

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.

Since the invention of steamships distant countries have become like those that are near at hand.

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