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Opening of Japan

LS dated 12 July 1856 from Baynard Taylor to Captain Henry A. Adams.

New York,
July 12, 1856
Capt. H. A. Adams:
My Dear Sir:
I regret
that I was not one of those who
welcomed you on your arrival in
New York. I called at the Aster
House on Sunday morning, but
you had already left for Washington.
It would have given me great pleasure
to have seen you, and to have heard
through you of my friend in the
squadron. I missed a great deal by
being obliged to return home before the
second voyage to Japan, which would
have enabled me to see Yezaimon
and Sabinoske take their first trip
in an American rail road. You
have succeeded gloriously, and I am
doubly rejoiced at it, for I have
ventured to predict a similar result,
whenever my opinion has been asked.

[Page 2]
I have been endeavoring to create
a little more interest in the ex-
pedition by a lecture on Japan,
which I delivered through the Northern
and Western States during the winter.
I endeavored to give an idea of the
character of the Japanese people,
as contrasted with that of the Chinese,
and the advantages which may accrue
to us from the opening of the
country; and disclosed nothing concern-
ing the expedition which the Com-
modore had not authorized me to
make public.
Perhaps you can inform me
about what time the expedition will
return. I am now engaged in
preparing for the press my travels
in Africa, and desire to give, in
a later volume, my adventures
in India, China, Loo-Choo and
Japan. This, however, I cannot do
until I receive my notes and
journals which I gave up to
Com. Perry according to the order

[Page 3]
of the Department, and I should like
to know at what period I may be
able to receive them. The Department
will no doubt allow me the use of
them as soon as they are received.
I suppose the Russian War
will prevent Lt. Bent and Mr.
Heine from making their proposed
journey through Siberia.
Is there any possibility of obtaining
a copy of the Treaty for publication?
The principal points have already
been made public, and I suppose
the Government will shortly give
the whole of it to the world.
Perhaps you are acquainted with
the views of the State Department
in this respect, and can tell me
whether there will be any use in
making application.
I reached home on the
20th of December. There was con-
siderable delay in getting your
boxes and those of Capt. Buchanan
through the Custom House, or the

[Page 4]
officers refused to pan them, and
they were not upon the ship's
manifest. A post entry was
finally made and duties assessed
upon them, by which means they
were got through at last. I
have heard from Mrs. Buchanan
of the safe arrival of those which
were addressed to her, and shall
be glad to hear that yours also
reached their destination.
If you should visit New
York this summer, pray let
me know where I may see you.
Very sincerely yours,
Baynard Taylor

Published: Thu Jan 04 16:04:34 EST 2018