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

The President of the United States thinks that for the Japanese opium is more dangerous than war.

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

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

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.

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

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.