President Fillmore had forbidden Perry to use threats or force. As a lawyer, Fillmore believed that the Shogunate would respond reasonably to American concerns about U.S. mariners washed up on Japanese shores and the need to repatriate Japanese fishermen washed up on American shores.
President Fillmore had prohibited Perry from employing intimidation or coercion. As a lawyer, Fillmore believed that the Shogunate would respond sensibly to American concerns about U.S. sailors stranded on Japanese shores and the need to repatriate Japanese fishermen who had washed up on American shores.