Townsend Harris Quotes

A collection of quotes by Townsend Harris.

Townsend Harris (1804-1878) was an American diplomat and merchant. He is best known for negotiating the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the United States and Japan, which opened the way for diplomatic and commercial relations between the two countries. Born in New York City, Harris started his career as a trader and eventually became a successful merchant. In 1856, he was appointed as the first U.S. consul to Japan, where he spent years working to establish trade and diplomatic ties. His efforts paved the way for future cooperation and helped shape U.S.-Japanese relations.