Commodore Perry is also directed by me to represent to your Imperial Majesty that we understand there is a great abundance of coal and provisions in the empire of Japan. Our steamships, in crossing the great ocean, burn a great deal of coal, and it is not convenient to bring it all the way from America. We wish that our steamships and other vessels should be allowed to stop in Japan and supply themselves with coal, provisions, and water. They will pay for them, in money, or anything else your Imperial Majesty’s subjects may prefer; and we request your Imperial Majesty to appoint a convenient port in the southern part of the empire, where our vessels may stop for this purpose. We are very desirous of this. These are the only objects for which I have sent Commodore Perry with a powerful squadron to pay a visit to your Imperial Majesty’s renowned city of Yedo: friendship, commerce, a supply of coal, and provisions and protection for our shipwrecked people. We have directed Commodore Perry to beg your Imperial Majesty’s acceptance of a few presents. They are of no great value in themselves, but some of them may serve as specimens of the articles manufactured in the United States, and they are intended as tokens of our sincere and respectful friendship. May the Almighty have your Imperial Majesty in his great and holy keeping! In witness whereof I have caused the great seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed, and have subscribed the same with my name, at the city of Washington in America, the seat of my government, on the thirteenth day of the month of November, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two. _Your Good Friend_, MILLARD FILLMORE. _By the President._ EDWARD EVERETT, _Secretary of State_. Accompanying this letter was one from Commodore Perry, merely repeating the language embraced in the instructions from the secretary of state:— TO HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, _THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN_. The undersigned, Commander-in-chief of all the naval forces of the United States of North America, stationed in the East India, China, and Japan seas, has been sent by his government to this country on a friendly mission, with ample powers to negotiate with the government of Japan, touching certain matters which have been fully set forth in the letter of the President of the United States; copies of which, together with copies of the letter of credence of the undersigned, in the English, Dutch, and Chinese languages, are herewith transmitted. The original of the President’s letter, and of the letter of credence, prepared in a manner suited to the exalted station of your Imperial Majesty, will be presented by the undersigned, in person, when it may please your Majesty to appoint a day for his reception.