at Peking. Perry had nearest at heart his mission to Japan, and besides he gave Marshall plainly to understand that he regarded the latter's scheme of a demonstration at the Peiho as chimerical and unwise.
This expression of opinion on the part of the commodore led Marshall to suggest ironically to the Secretary of State "the propriety of managing diplomatic relations with foreign countries through the instrumentality alone of the commodores of the navy, whose education and habits fit them peculiarly for the discussion of questions of international law!" He also had his retort for the commodore's opinion of his Peiho project by referring to "the shadowy future which may be enveloped within 'the peaceful expedition' to Japan." Subsequent events, however, established the correctness of the naval diplomat's judgment in both matters.
The subject of the proper relation between the diplomatic and naval officials of the government has been much discussed and has occasioned many unpleasant incidents not only in the service of the United States, but in that of Great Britain and other powers. Mr. Marshall's altercations with Aulick and Perry led to the issuance of specific instructions on the subject by the Department of State. Secretary Marcy, in writing to Mr. McLane, who succeeded Mr. Marshall in the Chinese mission, furnished him with a copy of the instructions given by the Secretary of the Navy to Commodore Perry, in which the latter was directed to render the minister such assistance as the exigencies of the public interest might require. But, he added,
