Doc Recap: 1854 Additional Regulations on the Treaty of Kanagawa

In June 17, 1854, after few months visiting ports opened to Americans, Commodore Matthew C. Perry, commander of the US Squadron assigned to a mission in Japan, signed an agreement adding new regulations accompanying the Treaty of Kanagawa few months before. Explore the additional regulations agreed by Perry and his Japanese counter-parts.

Additional regulations, agreed to between Commodore Matthew C. Perry, special envoy to Japan from the United States of America, and Hayashi Daigaku-no-kami; Ido, Prince of Tsu-sima; Izawa, Prince of Mimasaki; Tsudzuki, Prince of Suruga; Udono, member of the board of revenue; Take-no-uchi Sheitaro, and Matsusaki Michitaro, commissioners of the Emperor of Japan, on behalf of their respective governments.

ARTICLE I. - The imperial governors of Simoda will place watch stations wherever they deem best, to designate the limits of their jurisdiction; but Americans are at liberty to go through them, unrestricted, within the limits of seven Japanese ri, or miles; and those who are found transgressing Japanese laws may be apprehended by the police and taken on board their ships.

ARTICLE II: - Three landing-places shall be constructed for the boats of merchant ships and whale-ships resorting to this port; one at Simoda, one at Kakizaki, and the third at the brook lying southeast of Centre Island. The citizens of the United States will, of course, treat the Japanese officers with proper respect.

ARTICLE III. – Americans, when on shore, are not allowed access to military establishments or private houses without leave; but they can enter shops and visit temples as they please.

ARTICLE IV. - Two temples, the Risohen at Shimoda, and the Yokushen (Gokushen) at Kakizaki, are assigned as resting-places for persons in their walks, until public houses and inns are erected for their convenience.

ARTICLE V. – Near the temple of Yokushen, at Kakizaki, a burial-ground has been set apart for Americans, where their graves and tombs shall not be molested.

ARTICLE VI. – It is stipulated in the treaty of Kanagawa, that coal will be furnished at Hakodadi; but at as it is very difficult for the Japanese to supply it at that port, Commodore Perry promises to mention this to his government, in order that the Japanese government may be relieved from the obligation of making that port a coal depot.

ARTICLE VII. – It is agreed that henceforth the Chinese language shall not be employed in official communications between the two governments, except when there is no Dutch interpreter.

ARTICLE VIII. – A harbor-master and three skillful pilots have been appointed for the port of Simoda.

ARTICLE IX. – Whenever goods are selected in the shops, they shall be marked with the name of the purchaser and the price agreed upon, and then be sent to the Goyoshi, or government office, where the money is to be paid to Japanese officers, and the articles delivered by them.

ARTICLE X. – The shooting of birds and animals is generally forbidden in Japan, and this law is therefore to be observed by all Americans.

ARTICLE XI. – It is hereby agreed that five Japanese ri, or miles, be the limit allowed to Americans at Hakodadi, and the requirement in Article I, of these Regulations, are hereby made also applicable to that port within that distance.

ARTICLE XII. – His Majesty the Emperor of Japan is at liberty to appoint whoever he pleases to receive the ratification of the treaty of Kanagawa, and give an acknowledgement on his part.

It is agreed that nothing herein contained shall in any way affect or modify the stipulations of the treaty of Kanagawa, should that be found to be contrary to these regulations.

In witness whereof, copies of these additional regulations have been signed and sealed in the English and Japanese languages by the respective parties, and a certified translation in the Dutch language, and the exchanged by the commissioners of the United States and Japan.

Simoda, Japan, June 17, 1854.

M.C. Perry,

Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Naval Forces, East India, China, and Japan Seas, and Special Envoy to Japan.

Source:

Hawks, Francis. Narrative of the Expedition of An American Squadron to The China Seas and Japan, Performed in the Years 1852, 1853, and 1854, under the Command of Commodore M.C. Perry, United States Navy by Order of the Government of the United States, Volume I. Washington D.C.: A.O.P. Nicholson, Printer, 1856.