1850 American Gold Tycoon.

Chapter 174 The Temptation of Japan

"The trade between us and the Far East is very important, and the Far East is becoming more and more important because of the increasing interaction between our ports on the Pacific Rim and East Asia.

The prosperity of the west coast of the United States depends on the trade between the United States and the countries of the Far East, and ships from California to the Far East for commercial activities also need a safe haven and a commodity distribution center. "

President Fillmore looked away from the Mississippi.

"This is the original words in the letter from California State Assembly Speaker Liang Yao. My thoughts coincide with his."

After the Opium War, the privileges that Britain gained in the Qing Dynasty deeply stimulated the American politicians and stirred up the restless heartstrings of the American politicians.

The big market of the Qing Dynasty has been occupied by the British. Although the signing of the "Nanjing Treaty" did not change the current situation of Great Britain's trade deficit with the Qing Dynasty, the privileges that Great Britain obtained in the Qing Dynasty are very attractive.

The Qing Dynasty had already been preempted by the Great Britain, and the United States and Great Britain were far apart in strength, so they dared not openly compete with the British for the big cake of the Qing market.

However, the country in the Far East is not only the Qing Dynasty, but also Japan, which is quite large and the British have no interest in getting involved.

"Liang Yao? I often hear this name. It is said that California is developing very well now. The speaker of the state has contributed a lot. He immigrated to the United States from the Qing Dynasty. I think he knows the Qing Dynasty and Japan better than us. It is necessary for me to contact this Mr. Speaker to get as much information about Japan as possible.”

Perry followed around Fillmore.

Fillmore walked to the side of the ship, leaning on the railing and looking into the distance.

"Perhaps, he will come to the East in the near future. At that time, I can talk to him about the founding of Japan and listen to his views on Japan. I support your plan to expedition to Japan. The Congress over Japan's trade The voice is also very high.

An American whaling ship was shipwrecked off the coast of Japan and went ashore to ask for help. These savage Japanese actually detained and abused American citizens, and even transferred American citizens to Dutch merchants for disposal. What is this like?We must give these barbaric Japanese a little color, let them bathe in the brilliance of civilization, and experience the power of civilization!

I think it is necessary for us to establish an embassy in Japan to protect the interests of American citizens in Japan, rather than let the Dutch solve these problems for us. "

Since the 19s, American whaling ships from the Oregon region have often come to the coast of Japan to catch whales. The coast of Japan has become one of the five fishing grounds of the American whaling industry in the Pacific Ocean.

However, because the United States does not have a nautical chart of the coast of Japan, and the weather at sea is cloudy and cloudy, American whaling ships have been killed off the coast of Japan frequently.

Most of these American sailors who went ashore were handed over to the Dutch business house after being detained and abused by the Japanese, and the Dutch business house sent these American crew members to their colony of Java.To redeem these American citizens, the United States still needs to negotiate with the Dutch Batavia colonial authorities, which is very troublesome.

Moreover, the Dutch will also ask them for expenses such as mediation fees, crew placement fees, board and lodging fees, etc., which makes the American government very disgusted.

The news that the Japanese abused the crew of the American whaling ship aroused public outrage after it was spread back to the United States, which made the American government feel ashamed, and the American government also protested to the Japanese shogunate.

The Japanese shogunate insisted that this was a spy sent by the American government to Japan, and asked the Dutch to tell the American government to prohibit Americans from fishing in the coastal waters of Japan.

In this regard, it is naturally impossible for the United States to accept the Japanese request.

The United States is the number one whaling country, and the whaling industry is very important to the United States, providing at least [-] jobs for the United States.

Whale products are one of the few export products that the United States can sell besides cotton, sugar cane, tobacco and other cash crops.

American whale oil not only lights up the nights of big American cities like New York and Philadelphia, but also lights up the nights of London and Paris.

Before the birth of the chemical industry, the whaling industry was a huge profiteering industry. The most important function of whales was not to be used for food, but to extract high-quality smokeless and odorless fuel oil, soap, and machine lubricants. The ambergris of sperm whales is even more Priceless.

If the Americans give up the Japanese fishing grounds, wouldn't it be cheaper for the Dutch?

The United States can't afford to provoke the British, can't the Dutch also afford to provoke them?
"I also really want to meet this young and promising speaker of the state, I am very interested in him." Perry said.

"Mr. President, since you agree to the expedition to Japan, I wonder which fleet you will send to Japan? It is better to prepare early. The plan for the expedition was proposed by me. I want to personally take charge of the expedition to Japan."

Perry is quick-witted, has outstanding debating skills, has rich experience and qualifications, and has a very high reputation in the navy. He is also the most suitable candidate for the expedition in Fillmore's mind.

"You are indeed the best candidate for the expedition to Japan. After the bill on the expedition to Japan is passed by the Congress, I will let you succeed Orlick as the East India Fleet in charge of the expedition," Fillmore said.

"East India Fleet?" Perry thought for a while and said.

"The territory of the west coast of the United States is large enough, and California has also been established as a state. I think it is necessary for the United States to establish a Pacific Fleet to protect the rights and interests of the United States in the Pacific Ocean. The French just invaded the Kingdom of Hawaii last year.

The Kingdom of Hawaii is a sovereign country recognized by the United States, and its relationship with the United States is also very friendly.If the Navy can have a fleet on the west coast, it can change the status quo of our weak influence in the Pacific. "

"Our financial situation is very tight and does not support us to do so. At present, we cannot provide excess funds to the Department of the Navy."

Fillmore shook his head helplessly.

Although the Texas crisis and the California crisis have been resolved, the differences between the North and the South have been put on hold for the time being.

But America's finances are still not optimistic. Britain and France's war debts have to be repaid, Mexico's war reparations have to be repaid, and there are huge national debts issued during the war.

These debts are like a heavy mountain on the United States, making the United States breathless, and making Fillmore feel constrained in doing things.

"It's a pity."

Perry sighed helplessly and had to face reality.

He is 57 years old this year. Perhaps the United States may become a maritime power like the United Kingdom in the future, but he cannot see this day.

All he can do now is pave the way for America's future.

"Matthew, if you can be responsible for the expedition to Japan in the future, I hope you can resolve this expedition in a peaceful manner, and strive for the greatest benefit for the United States at the least cost." Fillmore turned his head and looked at Perry. .

"America cannot afford a new war."

Fillmore's mood is very complicated. He himself, and even all Americans do not understand Japan as a country. It is a very risky move to rush to Japan without understanding Japan.

But for the future of America, and for his own next campaign, he has to take risks.

Since the 19s, driven by the doctrine of destiny, the United States has acquired large areas of territory through negotiations or wars, and directly expanded its territory to the Pacific coast.

Most of these territories were obtained through war, and the war also ignited the enthusiasm of the American people for war and the desire for expansion.

President Polk, and later President Zachary Taylor, benefited greatly from the war against Mexico.

President Polk received higher approval ratings and more votes, and President Taylor was a hero in the Mexican-American War.

There is no doubt that war and territorial expansion are the shortcuts to votes.

A shortcut to the ballot is a shortcut to Fillmore.

His term has been less than two years.

So far, Fillmore has not left much political achievements, and his image in the hearts of the people is that of a good old man and a peacemaker.

The public, on the other hand, prefers to vote for a president with an iron fist and a tough attitude towards foreign affairs, and Fillmore also wants to be such a president.

Mexico can no longer fight, after all, it has just finished the fight and signed the treaty, and the two big brothers, Britain and France, will have opinions if they fight again.

Kingdom of Hawaii?It is impossible to annex the Kingdom of Hawaii in the short term. The only thing left to make a fuss is Japan, which faces the west coast of the United States across the Pacific Ocean, forcing Japan to establish a country and improving the national self-confidence of the American people.

Fillmore hopes to use force to force Japan to change its inherent image in the hearts of the people, divert the attention between the north and the south, and win more chips for his re-election.

Of course, to force Japan to establish a country, it is necessary to avoid the use of force as much as possible, because the United States cannot support an expensive foreign war now, let alone a transoceanic war against Japan.

"I understand, Your Excellency, I can understand your difficulties. As long as you can entrust me with the founding of Japan, I will do my best." Perry puffed out his chest and promised Fillmore.

(End of this chapter)