§ MR. GREGSONsaid, the House generally might not yet be aware that the American commodore had succeeded in obtaining an opening for commercial inter- 614 course with the empire of Japan, which was a country rich in resources and in mineral wealth, and containing 30,000,000 inhabitants. As the Emperor had replied to a suggestion, disinterestedly made by the American commodore, that the same privilege which had been granted to America should be extended to other countries, by stating that each Power must apply for itself, he wished to ask the Lord President of the Council whether any instructions had been, or, if not, would be transmitted to Sir John Bowring, the Governor of Hong Kong, or whether any steps would be taken to obtain an opening for British commerce with Japan on terms similar to those understood to be arranged with the United States of America?
§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLsaid, Sir John Bowring had already been instructed, if he should find that a treaty with America had been signed with Japan, immediately to ask for similar terms for this country. He had likewise been instructed to proceed to Japan for that purpose; and although special circumstances had hitherto prevented his doing so, as soon as the admiral should be able to place a ship at his disposal, it was his intention to go to Japan for the purpose of obtaining a treaty similar to that which had been entered into with the United States of America.