Ambroos Rentmeester
Wolvenstraat, Amsterdam
1016EE
May 4, 1899

Emperor Meiji
Yubinbango
100-8111 Tokyo
Chiyado, Chiyado 1-1v

Dear Great Emperor Meiji,
I am a humble Dutch trader that has heard of the concerns that bringing Japan out of isolation has brought forth. This letter is written on behalf of many other Dutch traders who completely support your most wise decision to open up the gates of Japan. Coming out of isolation has helped strengthen both our economies and relationship. Despite the benefits that opening trade has led to many benefits for both the Dutch and Japanese, we are aware of the doubt that rests among your people. As a country, we completely support your choice and hope that the uncertainty part of your people hold will not prevent, but further our countries trade.

Because of our trade in the Edo Period, we gained considerable wealth exporting beautiful Japanese products, such as silk, porcelain and cotton, as well as providing bits of knowledge for Japan and outside nations. However that wealth never went past a certain point because of the restricted laws, and as a result many of the Japanese products we received came through China. During the mid Edo period both our countries suffered a huge loss due to the crash of the Dutch East India Company. Independent Dutch traders were also unapproved by the bakufu, which worsened the situation. As the only foreign company Japan traded with, your limited link to the outside world decreased substantially and the Netherlands lost its advantage against other western countries. Not only this, but our government then became unstable. With the lack of trade and an unsteady governing body, the Netherlands, once one of the most dominant countries in the world lost its supremacy. This is why we are very grateful that you opened the gates, encouraging more trade with us, the Netherlands and opening