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.

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.

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.

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.