Townsend Harris Quotes & Sayings

“As the treaty made with the United States was the first treaty entered into by your country with other countries, therefore the President regards Japan with peculiar friendliness.”

“It appears that the English think the Japanese... are fond of opium, and they want to bring it here also.”

“The expense of a war could be paid in time; but the expense of opium, when once the habit is formed, will only increase with time.”

“The President is of opinion that if Japan makes a treaty with the United States, all other foreign countries will make the same kind of a treaty, and Japan will be safe thereafter.”

“Any nation that refuses to hold intercourse with other nations must expect to be excluded from this family.”

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

“In time of war steamships and improved arms are the most important things.”

“The nations of the West hope that by means of steam communication all the world will become as one family.”

“If I write in my name to the agents of England and France residing in Asia and inform them that Japan is ready to make a commercial treaty with their countries, the number of steamers will be reduced from fifty to two or three.”

“It will be quite satisfactory if you open them gradually, as the circumstances may require; but the President assures you that this will not be the case if you make a treaty with England first.”