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[[Image:Ulysses Grant.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Ulysses S. Grant. Photograph taken c. 1870-1880.]]

[[Image:Ulysses Grant.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Ulysses S. Grant. Photograph taken c. 1870-1880.]]

*''Born: [[1822]]''

*''Born: [[1822]], April 27''

*''Died: [[1885]]''

*''Died: [[1885]], July 23''

*''Titles: General-in-Chief of the Union Army (1864-1865), President of the United States (1869-1877)''

*''Titles: General-in-Chief of the Union Army (1864-1869), President of the United States (1869-1877)''

Ulysses S. Grant, American Civil War hero and two-term President, visited Japan from June 21 to September 3, 1879, the last leg of a two and a half year global tour. Though no longer President at this time, and traveling purely as a private citizen, not as an official representative of the United States in any respect, his visit was viewed by the [[Meiji government]] as an important diplomatic opportunity.

Ulysses S. Grant, American Civil War hero and two-term President, visited Japan from June 21 to September 3, 1879, the last leg of a two and a half year global tour. Though no longer President at this time, and traveling purely as a private citizen, not as an official representative of the United States in any respect, his visit was viewed by the [[Meiji government]] as an important diplomatic opportunity.

When he met with Prince Kung, the prince explained to Grant that the Chinese sought not to annex the Ryukyus themselves, but to restore the kingdom, along with its [[tribute|tributary]] status. He assured the former president that China was not interested in the domestic affairs of the island kingdom, nor which other countries it made agreements with and paid tribute to, but only that the [[Chinese investiture envoys|investiture rituals and relationship]] between China and Ryûkyû be restored and continued, and that Japan rescind any claims to exclusive sovereignty over the islands.  

When he met with Prince Kung, the prince explained to Grant that the Chinese sought not to annex the Ryukyus themselves, but to restore the kingdom, along with its [[tribute|tributary]] status. He assured the former president that China was not interested in the domestic affairs of the island kingdom, nor which other countries it made agreements with and paid tribute to, but only that the [[Chinese investiture envoys|investiture rituals and relationship]] between China and Ryûkyû be restored and continued, and that Japan rescind any claims to exclusive sovereignty over the islands.  

Viceroy Li similarly aimed to convince Grant of China's relatively altruistic motives in seeing the kingdom restored as an independent power, and denied any Chinese intentions or desires to annex it. He explained that China had never claimed sovereignty over the islands, only a suzerain relationship and close ties involving tribute, investiture, the strong involvement of people of Chinese descent in education and government in Ryûkyû, and a system by which Ryukyuans studied and sojourned in China. Grant was also told that the Ryukyuans preferred their association with China, a sentiment which would have been backed up by recent letters from Shô Tai in exile in Tokyo requesting Chinese assistance, and by those of Ryukyuan official [[Kochi Chojo|Kôchi Chôjô]] who was resident in China at this time, though it is unclear if Grant would have seen these letters or met with Kôchi ''[[ueekata]]''.

Viceroy Li similarly aimed to convince Grant of China's relatively altruistic motives in seeing the kingdom restored as an independent power, and denied any Chinese intentions or desires to annex it. He explained that China had never claimed sovereignty over the islands, only a suzerain relationship and close ties involving tribute, [[investiture]], the strong involvement of people of Chinese descent in education and government in Ryûkyû, and a system by which Ryukyuans studied and sojourned in China. Grant was also told that the Ryukyuans preferred their association with China, a sentiment which would have been backed up by recent letters from Shô Tai in exile in Tokyo requesting Chinese assistance, and by those of Ryukyuan official [[Kochi Chojo|Kôchi Chôjô]] who was resident in China at this time, though it is unclear if Grant would have seen these letters or met with Kôchi ''[[ueekata]]''.

Grant was, however, unconvinced by Kung's altruistic-seeming claims to not have an interest in the kingdom's affairs or in seeing the tributary relationship restored. Additionally, Grant is said to have had great admiration for Japan's military modernization efforts, and to have believed that if it came down to war, Japanese victory would have been inevitable<ref name=Kerr>Kerr.</ref>.

Grant was, however, unconvinced by Kung's altruistic-seeming claims to not have an interest in the kingdom's affairs or in seeing the tributary relationship restored. Additionally, Grant is said to have had great admiration for Japan's military modernization efforts, and to have believed that if it came down to war, Japanese victory would have been inevitable<ref name=Kerr>Kerr.</ref>.

==Other Meetings and Functions==

==Other Meetings and Functions==

During his Imperial audience on August 10, with Yoshida as interpreter and Prince Sanjô as the only other person present, Grant explicated his views on a wide range of matters, at the request of the Emperor. These included views on the possible revision of the Unequal Treaties, the foreign policy aims of the European powers, and popular suffrage. In the course of this meeting, he offered some advice on economic policy, specifically in recommending an increase of certain tariffs, so as to protect native industries and ease the tax burden on the Japanese people; for this, treaty revision was necessary, however. The matter of the implementation of popular suffrage, and of governance by popularly-elected assembly, was also discussed; Grant expressed the ultimate superiority of democratic forms of government, but warned against implementing it too quickly or hastily, as this could lead to chaos. Grant also advised that Japan should avoid borrowing money from foreign nations.

During his Imperial audience on August 10, with Yoshida as interpreter and Prince Sanjô as the only other person present, Grant explicated his views on a wide range of matters, at the request of the Emperor. These included views on the possible revision of the Unequal Treaties, the foreign policy aims of the European powers, and popular suffrage. In the course of this meeting, he offered some advice on economic policy, specifically in recommending an increase of certain tariffs, so as to protect native industries and ease the tax burden on the Japanese people; for this, treaty revision was necessary, however. The matter of the implementation of popular suffrage, and of governance by popularly-elected assembly, was also discussed; Grant expressed the ultimate superiority of democratic forms of government, but warned against implementing it too quickly or hastily, as this could lead to chaos. Grant also advised that Japan should avoid borrowing money from foreign nations.

Though he had visited a great many countries during his two and a half year tour, it is said that Grant truly held a special admiration, sympathy, and affection for Japan, which he saw as a rising power in the East, capable of great things<ref name=chang/>.

Though he had visited a great many countries during his two and a half year tour, it is said that Grant truly held a special admiration, sympathy, and affection for Japan, which he saw as a rising power in the East, capable of great things<ref name=chang/>.

Grant fell ill in 1885, and died later that year. During his illness, the Japanese ambassador to Washington was sent by the Emperor to visit the former president at his home in upstate New York on at least four occasions.

Grant fell ill in 1885, and died later that year. During his illness, the Japanese ambassador to Washington was sent by the Emperor to visit the former president at his home in New York City on at least four occasions; Grant focused, as well, in those last months of his life, on composing his memoirs.<ref>Plaque on-site at his former home at 3 East 66th St, where he lived from [[1881]] until 1885.</ref>

During discussions surrounding the composition of the [[Meiji Constitution]] in [[1889]], the Meiji Emperor is said to have drawn heavily upon Grant's advice<ref name=chang/>.

During discussions surrounding the composition of the [[Meiji Constitution]] in [[1889]], the Meiji Emperor is said to have drawn heavily upon Grant's advice<ref name=chang/>.

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[[Category:Meiji Period]]

[[Category:Meiji Period|Grant]]

[[Category:Foreigners]]

[[Category:Foreigners|Grant]]