Townsend Harris quotes

Townsend Harris, an influential figure in American history, was a visionary diplomat and education reformer. Born in 1804, Harris played a crucial role in opening trade relations between the United States and Japan during the mid-19th century. Known for his perseverance and diplomatic skills, he successfully negotiated the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, paving the way for future international cooperation. Moreover, Harris also championed educational reform, advocating for free public education in New York City. His tireless efforts led to the creation of the Free Academy, which eventually evolved into the renowned City College of New York. Learn more about Townsend Harris and his impactful legacy in diplomacy and education reform.

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.

- Townsend Harris

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

- Townsend Harris

When the ambassadors of other foreign countries come to Japan to make treaties, they can be told that such and such a treaty has been made with the ambassador of the United States, and they will rest satisfied with this.

- Townsend Harris

We do not wish to open your ports to foreign trade all at once.

- Townsend Harris

It will be quite satisfactory if you open them gradually, as the circumstances may require; but the President assures you that this will not be the case if you make a treaty with England first.

- Townsend Harris

Since the invention of steamships distant countries have become like those that are near at hand.

- Townsend Harris

We were sent to this country by the President, who desires to promote the welfare of Japan, and are quite different from the ambassadors of other countries.

- Townsend Harris

In time of war steamships and improved arms are the most important things.

- Townsend Harris

If you make a treaty first with the United States and settle the matter of the opium trade, England cannot change this, though she should desire to do so.

- Townsend Harris

It appears that the English think the Japanese... are fond of opium, and they want to bring it here also.

- Townsend Harris

Japan and China are isolated and without intercourse with other countries; hence the President directed me to attend to or watch the state of affairs in China also.

- Townsend Harris

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.

- Townsend Harris

The President of the United States thinks that for the Japanese opium is more dangerous than war.

- Townsend Harris

If Japan had been near to either England or France, war would have broken out long ago.

- Townsend Harris

By means of steam one can go from California to Japan in eighteen days.

- Townsend Harris

If I write in my name to the agents of England and France residing in Asia and inform them that Japan is ready to make a commercial treaty with their countries, the number of steamers will be reduced from fifty to two or three.

- Townsend Harris

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

- Townsend Harris

If war should break out between England and Japan, the latter would suffer much more than the former.

- Townsend Harris

The President wishes the Japanese to be very prudent about the introduction of opium, and if a treaty is made, he wishes that opium may be strictly prohibited.

- Townsend Harris

The United States have no possessions in the east and do not desire to have any, as other countries do.

- Townsend Harris

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

- Townsend Harris

The President is of opinion that if Japan makes a treaty with the United States, all other foreign countries will make the same kind of a treaty, and Japan will be safe thereafter.

- Townsend Harris

The President regards the Japanese as a brave people; but courage, though useful in time of war, is subordinate to knowledge of arts; hence, courage without such knowledge is not to be highly esteemed.

- Townsend Harris

Two things are desired in order that intercourse may be had: First, that a minister or agent be allowed to reside at the capital. Second, that commerce between different countries be freely allowed.

- Townsend Harris