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TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

AND THE JAPANESE EMPIRE.

·

SIGNED AT YFDO, JULY 29TH, 1860.

Ratified by the President of the United States, April 12th, 1860. Ratifications exchanged at Washington, May 22nd, 1860. Proclaimed by the President, May 23rd, 1860.

The President of the United States of America, and his Majesty the Tycoon of Japan, desiring to establish on firm and lasting foundations the relations of peace and friendship now happily existing between the two countries, and to secure the best interest of their respective citizens and subjects, by encouraging, facilitating and regula- for this purpose, and have therefore named as their plenipotentiaries, that is to say :- ting their industry and trade, have resolved to conclude a treaty of amity and commerce

The President of the United States, his Excellency TOWNSEND HARRIS, Consul- General of the United States of America for the Empire of Japan, and his Majesty the Tycoon of Japan, their Excellencies INO-00-YE, Prince of Sinano, and IWASAY, Prince of Higo, who, after having communicated to each other their respective full powers, and found them to be in good and due form, have agreed upon and concluded the following articles :-

Art. I.-There shall henceforward be perpetual peace and friendship between the United States of America and his Majesty the Tycoon of Japan and his successors.

The President of the United States may appoint a diplomatic agent to reside at the city of Yedo, and consuls or consular agents to reside at any or all of the ports in Ja pan which are opened for American commerce by this treaty. The diplomatic agent and Consul-General of the United States, shall have the right to travel freely in any part of the empire of Japan, from the time they enter on the discharge of their official duties. The government of Japan may appoint a diplomatic agent to reside at Washington, and consuls or consular agents for any or all of the ports of the United States. The diplomatic agent and Consul-General of Japan may travel freely in any part of the United States from the time they arrive in the country.

Art. II.-The President of the United States, at the request of the Japanese government, will act as a friendly mediator in such matters of difference as may arise between the government of Japan and any European power. The ships of war of the United States shall render friendly aid and assistance to such Japanese vessels as they may meet on the high seas, so far as can be done without a breach of neutrality: and all American consuls, residing at ports visited by Japanese vessels, shall also give them such friendly aid as may be permitted by the laws of the respective countries in which

they reside.

towns shall be opened on the dates respectively appended to them, that is to say:

Art. III. In addition to the ports of Simoda and Hakodadi, the following ports and

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