Convention between the Lew Chew Islands and the United States of America

Signed at Napa, in Chinese and English, July 11, 1854 -

Hereafter, whenever Citizens of the United States come to Lew Chew, they shall be treated with great courtesy and friendship. Whatever Articles these persons ask for, whether from the officers or people, which the Country can furnish, shall be sold to them; nor shall the authorities interpose any prohibitory regulations to the people selling, and whatever either party may wish to buy, shall be exchanged at reasonable prices.

Whenever Ships of the United States shall come into any harbor in Lew Chew, they shall be supplied with Wood and Water at reasonable princes, but if they wish to get other Articles they shall be purchaseable only at Napa.

If Ships of the United States are wrecked on Great Lew Chew or on Islands under the jurisdiction of the Royal Government of Lew Chew, the local authorities shall dispatch persons to assist in saving life and property, and preserve what can be brought ashore till the Ships of that Nation shall come to take away all that may have been saved; and the expenses incurred in rescuing these unfortunate persons shall be refunded by the Nation they belong to.

Whenever persons from Ships of the United States come ashore in Lew Chew, they shall be at liberty to ramble where thay please without hindrance or having officials sent to follow them, or to spy what they do; but if they violently go into houses, or trifle with women, or force people to sell them things, or do other such like illegal acts, they shall be arrested by the local officers, but not maltreated, and shall be reported to the Captain of the Ship to which they belong for punishment by him.

At Tumai is a burial ground for the Citizens of the United States, where their graves and tombs shall not be molested.

The Government of Lew Chew shall appoint skillful pilots who shall be on the lookout for Ships appearing off the Island, and if one is seen coming towards Napa, they shall go out in good boats beyond the reefs to conduct her in to a secure anchorage, for which service the Captain shall pay the pilot, Five dollars, and the same for going out of the harbor beyond the reefs.

Whenever Ships anchor at Napa, the officers shall furnish them with Wood at the rate of Three Thousand Six hundred Copper Cash per thousand catties; and with Water, at the rate of 600 Copper Cash (43 cents) for one thousand catties, or Six barrels full, each containing 30 American Gallons.

Signed in the English and Chinese languages by Commodore Matthew C. Perry, Commander in Chief of the U. S. Naval Forces, in the East India China and Japan Seas, and Special Envoy to Japan, for the United States; and by Sho Fu fing, Super-intendent of Affairs (Tsu li-kwan) in Lew Chew, and Ba Rio-si, Treasurer of Lew Chew at Shui, for the Government of Lew Chew, and copies exchanged, this 11th day of July, 1854, or the reign Hien fung, 4th Year, 6th Moon, 17th day, at the Town hall of Napa.

(Signed) M. C. PERRY.