Tinted lithograph print showing the presentation of American products brought by the Perry expedition to the Emperor of Japan at Yokohama (written on print as ‘Yokuhama’). Among the gifts are a miniature steam locomotive, a barrel of whiskey and agricultural tools. The Japanese officials are dressed in kimono and short haori jackets. The American officials are in uniform. In the background, there are telegraph wires, illustrating the two telegraph sets with batteries, wire and insulators that the Americans gave to the Japanese. Inscribed: ‘Delivering of the American Presents at Yokhuhama / From nature by W.T. / Lith. Of SARONY & Co New York’.

This print was published as an illustration in Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan (Washington: Beverley Tucker, 1856), opposite page 357. It is based on a drawing by William T. Peters. Peters did not go on Commodore Perry’s expedition to Japan but worked from one of Eliphalet M. Brown’s now lost daguerreotypes.

Perry’s expedition embarked for Japan in 1852 with the intention of securing a trade treaty through threats and displays of US naval power. Perry and the Japanese disagreed on the site for negotiations. Perry insisted on Edo (Tokyo), while the Japanese offered various other locations. They compromised on Yokohama, a port city in Tokyo Bay. Perry landed on 8 March 1854, and three weeks of negotiations ensued. The exchange of gifts occurred on 13 March.

In 1854, the Convention of Kanagawa was signed under threat of force, with Japan reluctantly agreeing to protect stranded seamen and open two ports for refuelling of American ships. It was not a trade agreement but did contain a most-favoured-nation clause, which provided an opening for a future trade contract between Japan and the United States. Yokohama was one of the ports to open for trade with the West after 1859.