Mr. Seward to Mr. Pruyn
Sir: Your despatch No. 63, dated the 16th of December last, was duly received. It relates exclusively to the loss, and the circumstances which attended it, of the American bark Chevalier, on the east coast of Japan, in the province of Hilato, and is accompanied by a copy of a report made to you by the consul at Kanagawa, giving a detailed account of the shipwreck; of your letter of thanks to the ministers of foreign affairs, and by a translation of an official letter addressed to you by the minister of France at Yedo, with copies of your replies to the same.
It gives me pleasure to inform you that your proceedings, in connexion with this disaster, are fully approved, and to request you, upon the receipt of this instruction, to address a communication to their excellencies the ministers of foreign [Page 1071] affairs expressive of the profound satisfaction with which the President and people of the United States have received intelligence of the generous, humane, and efficient services rendered to the shipwrecked officers and seamen of the Chevalier by the officers of the province, as well as by those on board the gunboat Choyo-maroo, which the Japanese government so promptly despatched to the scene of the wreck. It is by such acts that nations are bound more closely together than they can ever be by mere ties of interest; and you will assure their excellencies that this manifestation on the part of the Japanese government and people, of a desire not merely to fulfil their treaty obligations to the United States, but to increase and perpetuate the cordial good will and friendly relations between the two countries, is accepted by the President as a sure indication that nothing will ever arise to disturb the firm friendship existing between the United States and Japan. You will also inform their excellencies, that the President has directed certain presents to be sent to the principal officers of the Japanese ship-of-war, and those of the neigborhood where the disaster took place, in recognition of their noble and humane services. These testimonials will be forwarded to you for distribution, and will soon be on their way.
In complying with the foregoing instructions you will not fail also to thank Mr. Bellecourt, in the name of your government, for his prompt offer to send to the place of the wreck of the Chevalier his Imperial Majesty’s ship the Duplex for the purpose of affording protection and assistance to the citizens of the United States.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Robert H. Pruyn, Esq., &c., &c., Yedo.