The expense of a war could be paid in time; but the expense of opium, when once the habit is formed, will only increase with time.

- Townsend Harris

When the ambassadors of other foreign countries come to Japan to make treaties, they can be told that such and such a treaty has been made with the a…

- Townsend Harris

Since the invention of steamships distant countries have become like those that are near at hand.

- Townsend Harris

Any nation that refuses to hold intercourse with other nations must expect to be excluded from this family.

- Townsend Harris

The President of the United States thinks that for the Japanese opium is more dangerous than war.

- Townsend Harris

The nations of the West hope that by means of steam communication all the world will become as one family.

- Townsend Harris

We were sent to this country by the President, who desires to promote the welfare of Japan, and are quite different from the ambassadors of other cou…

- Townsend Harris

Japan and China are isolated and without intercourse with other countries; hence the President directed me to attend to or watch the state of affairs…

- Townsend Harris

If Japan had been near to either England or France, war would have broken out long ago.

- Townsend Harris