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

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 I write in my name to the agents of England and France residing in Asia and inform them that Japan is ready to make a commercial treaty with their countries, the number of steamers will be reduced from fifty to two or three.

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.

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

Japan and China are isolated and without intercourse with other countries; hence the President directed me to attend to or watch the state of affairs in China also.

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.