Tinted lithograph print depicting Commodore Matthew Perry and his officers in the House of Reception, the building prepared by the Japanese for purposes of the ceremonial reception of the letter from President Millard Fillmore. Perry’s officers are stood on the right side of the hall, while the Japanese officials are sat on the left side of the hall. Inscribed: ‘Delivery of the President’s Letter / T. Sinclair’s lith. Philad[elphi]a.’

The print is based on a drawing by Peter Bernhard Wilhelm Heine, better known as William Heine (1827–1885). A German-American world traveller, writer and artist, Heine was the official artist on Commodore Matthew Perry’s expedition to Japan in 1852. This print was published as an illustration in the official voyage publication, Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan (Washington: Beverley Tucker, 1856), opposite page 261.

Perry’s expedition embarked for Japan in 1852 with the intention of securing a trade treaty through threats and displays of US naval power. On 9 July 1953, Perry announced that he wished to have a letter from US President Millard Filmore delivered to the Emperor of Japan, requesting an end to Japan's foreign seclusion policy, which had been in place since 1639. Negotiations continued over the following days, leading to the ceremonial presentation of the letter to the Emperor’s representatives in the port of Kurihama on 14 July 1853.

Perry returned for a reply from the Emperor the following year. On 31 March 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.