Mr. Seward to Mr. Pruyn.

No. 9.]

Sir: The despatch of Mr. Harris, of the 27th of November (No. 50) has been submitted to the President.

The arrangement which Mr. Harris has made with the Japanese government, by which that government agrees to use its most diligent efforts to bring to condign punishment the murderers of the late Mr. Heusken, our secretary of legation, and also to pay to this government, for the use of Mr. Heusken’s doubly bereaved mother, ten thousand dollars, is entirely satisfactory to the United States.

You will assure the minister for foreign affairs that the President is most favorably impressed by the promptness and cheerfulness with which the government of the Tycoon has acceded to the demands, in that respect, which the President deemed himself obliged to make by a careful regard to the rights and the honor of our own country. He reposes full confidence upon the sincerity and good faith of the Tycoon and his enlightened ministers.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Robert H. Pruyn, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Yedo.