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"The government had hoped to enlist the efforts of private merchants, to help them open Japan at far less cost to the government than if they had sent official emissaries or military."
I don't believe in this motivation. This needs to be sourced. Lebedev, Shelikhov, Rezanov were businessment who explored the Far East for profit in the spirit of private enterprise. --Ghirla-трёп- 22:53, 1 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]
This comes directly from "Let the Sea Make a Noise," the source cited. I will see if I can find a page number and/or the direct quote. LordAmeth 15:01, 4 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]