the American residents at Canton, and after his arrival by his fellow-citizens in New York and other cities. Increasing years have added to his fame and to the recognition of his services to his country and mankind.
But in no part of the world has his work been so highly appreciated as in Japan itself. When the exchange of the ratifications of the treaty was effected in Japan on the 21st of February, 1855, the commissioners with whom the commodore negotiated the treaty sent him many messages of friendship, and the assurance that "his name would live forever in the history of Japan." So early did the Japanese begin to realize the value to them of his enforced negotiations, and time has constantly added to this realization. The "New Japan" dates back the beginning of its progress to "the coming of Perry."
So strongly has that country become impressed with its obligations to him that an association in Japan set on foot a movement to erect a monument to his memory. The circular, signed by the president (a member of the imperial cabinet), setting forth the object of the movement, refers to the visit of Perry as "the most memorable event in our annals—an event which enabled the country to enter upon the unprecedented era of national ascendancy in which we are now living." The monument was erected upon the spot where the commodore first landed and held his conferences with the Japanese plenipotentiary. The money for its erection was contributed by the Japanese people, the emperor himself subscribing to the fund; and the inscription
