American naval officer (1794-1858) who took a leading role in the establishment of international trade with the formerly insular nation of Japan. LS signed “M. C. Perry,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 8.25 x 10.5, October 20, 1853. Addressed from “Macao,” a letter sent to Drs. House and Mattoors, written aboard Perry’s flagship, the USS Mississippi, in part: “Our friend the Rev’d Dr. Parker of Canton informs me of his having written to you, with reference to a contemplated visit of mine to Siam, after I shall have accomplished my Japan mission. He has doubtless intimated to You my desire to obtain some accurate information, as to the probability of a favorable reception by the King of Siam of any prepositions, I might make for modifying and enlarging the Stipulations of the present Treaty between the United States and that Kingdom; and of inducing the King to send one of his finest Ships to the United States, in charge of some of the most intelligent of his officers, that they might examine into our institutions, religious, civil, military, and commercial, and take back with them an account of what they shall have seen, as furnishing evidence of the advantages, that Siam would derive from a free and mutually liberal intercourse with us…Another failure following that Mr. Ballestier, would put our relations on a worse footing than they now are, and this is the object of my addressing myself to you, to ask as a particular favor, that you would, if it at all practicable, ascertain the feelings and disposition of the King and his counselors, with respect to any diplomatic visit, I might make to Bankok.” In fine condition, with short fold splits, and an old mounting strip to the back edge of the last page.
In October 1853, Commodore Matthew C. Perry anchored near Macao as part of his mission to open Japan to trade with the United States. Earlier that year, in July 1853, Perry had entered Edo Bay (modern Tokyo Bay) with a fleet of ships to deliver a letter from President Millard Fillmore, demanding that Japan open its ports to American trade. After this initial contact, Perry left Japan to give the Japanese government time to consider the request and to prepare for his return. During this interim period, Perry anchored near Macao and other locations in the region, preparing for his return to Japan, which would eventually lead to the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa in March 1854.
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