Townsend Harris Quotes

Townsend Harris — American Businessman died on December 30, 1878

Townsend Harris was a successful New York City merchant and minor politician, and the first United States Consul General to Japan. He negotiated the "Harris Treaty" between the US and Japan and is credited as the diplomat who first opened the Empire of Japan to foreign trade and culture in the Edo period... (wikipedia)

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.

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.

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

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

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