Japan has issued a stamp marking the opening of her ports to foreign trade in the 19th century. The treaty resulting from Commodore Perry's negotiations in 1853-4 merely opened the two ports of Shimoda and Hakodate to American vessels and it was not until July 29, 1858 that a further treaty was signed on board the U.S. paddle-frigate Powhattan at Kanagawa between Townsend Harris—first American Consul-General to Japan—and two Yedo officials, opening all Japanese ports to foreign shipping.
The wooden paddle-frigate Powhattan was built at the Norfolk Navy Yard and launched on February 14, 1850. She displaced 3,765 tons and had dimensions 253 ft 8 in. x 45 ft. with a load draft of 18'/2 ft. Designed by Naval Constructor Grice, her engines came from the engineering firm of Mehaffy and Company of Gosport, Virginia and she carried an armament at first of one 11-in. Dahigren and 10, 9-in. Dahigrens, plus four heavy and one light 12-pdr. By 1865 she was carrying three 100-pdr. Parrott rifles, one 11-in. Dahlgren, 16, 9-in. Dahigrens and four heavy 12-pdrs. There were other combinations over the years.
SG777 Sea Breezes 9/58