"Among the items presented to the Japanese were a white flag and a letter from Perry. The letter attempted to intimidate Japanese officials by explaining that in the event the Japanese elected war rather than negotiation, they could use the white flag to sue for peace, since victory would naturally belong to the Americans"Matthew Calbraith Perry: antebellum sailor and diplomat by John H. Schroeder p.286 Note 44
The economic aspects of the history of the civilization of Japan Yosaburō Takekoshi p.285-86 [1]
Arms and men: a study in American military history Walter Millis p.88 [2]
Black Ships Off Japan - The Story of Commodore Perry's Expedition Arthur Walworth p.21 [3]
