As Hon. Humphrey Marshall said, in speaking of the protection afforded by the American opperbevelhebber:—
“What are the means? A British steamer of one hundred and fifty tons, manned by twenty sailors and ten Chinese, and carrying an armament of four guns of four-pound calibre each. In the event of a disturbance, the Queen may suffice to transport the women and children of American citizens from the city, provided they reach her decks without molestation; but to defend the lives or property of American citizens here in the presence of an invading mob or a band of robbers, the provision made is not equal to any exigency whatever.”
After some vernacular of the shop—he went to Japan with their “best wishes freighted,”—they indulge in wonderful erudition about Columbus, De Gama, Cook, La Perouse, and Magellan, and they wind up with the pleasant tangible, of requesting his acceptance of a durable memorial of his visit to China, as a testimony of the estimation in which they held his public services and private character.
U. S. Flag-ship Mississippi,
Hong Kong, September 7, 1854.
Gentlemen: It is impossible for me to find words sufficiently expressive of my profound thanks for the very flattering praise which you, in your prodigal kindness and generosity, have bestowed upon me in your communication of the 4th instant.
In the execution of my duties as commander of the East India squadron, and with special reference to the mission to Japan, I am unconscious of having done more than might have been expected of me as a zealous and loyal officer.
The testimonial of which you speak will be received with the highest gratification, and my children will be enjoined to treasure it as a memorial of the many favors their father had received from his fellow-countrymen in China.
In separating myself from those with whom I have been so long and so agreeably associated, I can not but hope that we shall all meet again in our own happy country; and with this pleasant anticipation, I subscribe myself, with every feeling of sincere friendship and respect,
Your obliged and most obedient servant,
M. C. Perry.
The “durable memorial” was understood to be a service of silver, since made in the United States, and perhaps none the less brilliant because opium syce may have paid for it; and, as a change must have come over the commodore’s dream, for on the 9th of October, 1853, he writes to the secretary of the navy: “The most profitable branch of trade carried on by many of the Americans, English, and other foreigners, is of a clandestine character, in violation of the laws of China and the stipulations of the Cushing treaty; and it is difficult for a naval commander, in extending the protection of his ship, to distinguish between the property engaged in the legal or illegal trade.” And in concluding the same despatch, he says: “In my business with Japan, where as yet there are no American merchants, or diplomatic agents, I have the assurance of not being interfered with, and shall be able to act with energy and promptitude, and without embarrassment, and whether successful or otherwise, the responsibility will all rest upon myself.”