Under the treaty between Japan and the US, consulates could be placed if needed, as well as opening Shimoda and Hakodate ports to supply fuel and water for ships; the United States then sent Townsend HARRIS to Shimoda.
日米和親条約では、薪水の給与のための下田・函館開港と並んで、両国の必要に応じて総領事が置かれることとなり、米国はタウンゼント・ハリスを下田に派遣する。