Japanese.  If we put it in the treaty to be opened now, we would like you to give us an order that no ships shall enter that port before ten months.

Perry.  I cannot do that.  But there is no probability that any ships will come here before that time, as I shall not leave here for three months, and they will not hear of it before that time; and when they do hear of it, it will take several months for ships to make the voyage here.  If you choose I will keep one of the ships at Simoda for several months.

Japanese.  If ships go there before that time we shall not be able to give them other than provisions, wood, and water.

Perry.  The ships that may go there will want such things only as you may have; if you have them not, of course you cannot and will not be expected to furnish them; but, as I said before, there is no probability that ships will go there before the expiration of ten months.

Japanese.  When you come back from Matsumai, we shall have plenty of provisions at Simoda for the whole squadron; but to other ships we cannot furnish more than wood, water, etc.

Perry.  When we return from Matsumai we shall not want many provisions, as we shall be going to a place where we shall get plenty.  It is only the principle I wish settled now.  I have come here as a peacemaker, and I desire to settle everything now, and thus prevent trouble hereafter; I wish to write home to my Government that the Japanese are friends.

Japanese.  We will write you a letter stating that we cannot furnish you anything before ten months, but that we can furnish wood and water immediately, and that we will furnish such other things as we possibly can.  This letter we should like you to answer.

Perry.  Very well; I will.

Japanese. [Entering on another part of the terms agreed on.] We will not confine Americans, or prevent them from walking around; but we should like to place a limit to the distance they may walk.

Perry.  I am prepared to settle that matter now, but they must not be confined to any particular house or street.  Suppose we make the distance they may walk, the same distance that a man can go and come in a day.  Or, if you choose, the number of lis or ris may be agreed upon.

Japanese.  We are willing that they shall walk as far as they can go and come in a day.

Perry.  There is no probability that sailors would wish to go on shore more than once from curiosity; besides, they will have their daily duties to attend to on board ship and will not be able to go on shore.

Japanese.  We do not wish any women to come and remain at Simoda.

Perry.  The probability is that few women will go there, and they only the wives of the officers of the ships.

Japanese.  When you come back from Matsumai we should like you to settle the distance that Americans are to walk.  It is difficult for us to settle the distance.