Mr. Pruyn to Mr. Seward
Sir: In the hope that the situation of affairs at home may soon be so improved as to admit of your proposal of 1861 being carried into effect, it may not be improper to say that I am satisfied the public mind in this country will not be quieted until the treaties are ratified by the Mikado.
Until this is done the position of foreigners must continue precarious, and their presence occasion intrigues, and perhaps civil war, because not sanctioned by the rightful sovereign, which the Mikado doubtless is, theoretically and practically, should the daimios gather around him.
The opponents of the Tycoon’s government can only, in this way, be driven from the cover which they now assume in their machinations to accomplish their selfish purposes, whether such be to supplant the Tycoon, or, by confining trade to its former channel, (Nagasaki,) again reap the sole advantage.
To secure this ratification a demonstration on Osacca (20 miles from Kioto) would be necessary, backed, if this should not at once be successful, by a land force to move on Kioto.
I have no doubt the treaties would be ratified as soon as a strong naval force reached the bay of Osacca.
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I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.