If Japan had been near to either England or France, war would have broken out long ago.

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

The President regards the Japanese as a brave people; but courage, though useful in time of war, is subordinate to knowledge of arts; hence, courage without such knowledge is not to be highly esteemed.

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.

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

The President wishes the Japanese to be very prudent about the introduction of opium, and if a treaty is made, he wishes that opium may be strictly prohibited.

If Japan had been near to either England or France, war would have broken out long ago.