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

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 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.

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

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

In case of war, a treaty would have to be made at the end of the war.

The nations of the West hope that by means of steam communication all the world will become as one family.