19th century artwork showing the Perry Expedition landing in Japan. The fleet of US Navy Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry (1794-1858), consisting of four warships, landed in Uraga Harbour on 8th July 1853. This US Navy expedition to the Far East was sent to cause the opening of Japan to international trade. This show of force resulted in the signing on 31 March 1854 of the Convention of Kanagawa. On his return, Perry was rewarded by Congress and published an account of his voyages. Artwork by Hatch & Severyn.