Today in History: July 8, 1853
Commodore Perry Sails into Tokyo Bay
With California gaining statehood in 1850 and the opening up of China to foreign trade, the United States wanted to establish a port that could be used as a refueling coaling station for the new steam ships. Additionally, the growth of American whaling activities in the northern Pacific, the United States was looking for a safe harbor for shipwrecked sailors. It was believed that Japan held vast deposits of coal, which made the island ideal for a coaling station.1
Japan’s ports were not always closed to foreign trade. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Japan traded with Spain, Portugal, and the Dutch. However, due to unfair trade policies and attempts to spread Catholicism within Japan, the Japanese expelled most foreign traders in 1639. The only two nations able to trade were the Chinese and the Dutch, who had been granted special charters.2
Throughout the 1830s, the United States Navy’s Far East Squadron attempted on multiple occasions to engage in diplomatic talks with Japan, but was refused each time, lacking the authority to force the issue. This would change in 1851, when President Fillmore authorized a naval expedition to return shipwrecked Japanese citizens to Japan and demand the return of shipwrecked Americans. The orders originally fell to Commodore John Aulick, but he was relieved of command, and the assignment fell to Commodore Matthew Perry.
Commodore Perry received orders to sail to Japan in March of 1852, but would not set sail from the port of Norfolk, Virginia, until that November. The first major stop was to the Ryukyus Islands, whose principal city is Okinawa, and then the Bonin Islands. From there, Commodore Perry, commanding four ships, the USS Susquehanna and USS Mississippi, both steam-powered sidewheel frigates, along with the sloops USS Saratoga and USS Plymouth, arrived in Edo Bay, present-day Tokyo Bay, on July 8, 1853.3 Refusing to depart, and demanding an audience with the Emperor of Japan, finally on July 14, a barge with two princes of the Emperor meet with Commadore Perry and received the two letters addressed to the Emperor. The first letter was from President Fillmore, and the second was from Commodore Perry himself. Additionally, they were presented gifts including a working model steam locomotive, a telescope, a telegraph, and various wines and liquors.4
The letters presented were not treaties, but avowals of friendship, listing the advantages of opening trade with the United States, and suggesting a formal treaty with the United States. After receiving the letters, Commodore Perry expressed that they had time to consider the contents of the letters and that he would return next Spring to receive their response. Japan insisted that he leave immediately, but as a show of power, Commodore Perry remained in Tokyo Bay for an additional three days before departing.
As promised, Commodore Perry returned with six ships, USS Susquehanna, USS Powhatan, USS Mississippi, USS Macedonian, USS Lexington, and USS Vandalia to Edo Bay on February 11, 1854.5. Japan responded by offering the opening of one port for a term of five years. Commodore Perry, in return, presented them with a proposed treaty. Japan ultimately agreed, and on March 31, 1854, Japan signed the Treaty of Kanagawa, which outlined the future treatment of shipwrecked American sailors and also opened up two ports, Shimoda and Hakodate, for coaling and supplies6. In addition, the treaty established United States consuls within those cities. It permitted the free movement of United States citizens within those port cities.
“The United States and the Opening to Japan, 1853.” United States State Department Office of the Historian. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1830-1860/opening-to-japan.
Ibid.
“Brief Summary of the Perry Expedition to Japan, 1853.” United States Navy’s Naval History and Heritage Command. Accessed July 2, 2025. Brief Summary of the Perry Expedition to Japan, 1853.
“The United States and the Opening to Japan, 1853.”
“Brief Summary of the Perry Expedition to Japan, 1853.”
“The United States and the Opening to Japan, 1853.”