Mr. Seward to Mr. Pruyn
Sir: In fulfilment of the announcement made in my instruction to you of the 4th of April last, (No. 38,) a box has been sent to you via San Francisco, to the care of the collector of that port, containing the following testimonials from the President to the principal officers of the Japanese ship-of-war Cho-yo-maroo, and other authorities, in recognition of their humane services to the shipwrecked officers and seamen of the American bark Chevalie, which foundered on the east coast of Japan in November last:
2 gold chronometer watches, with Japanese dials and heavy chains.
1 marine glass.
1 silver speaking trumpet.
The distribution of these presents among the parties for whom they are intended, namely, the two principal officers of the Cho-yo-maroo, and the two principal Japanese authorities of the province where the wreck occurred, is left to your discretion, as is also the mode of presentation and the remarks fitting to the occasion. You will be careful, however, not to lose sight of the great importance which the President and people of the United States attach to the disinterested kindness and humanity displayed by the Japanese authorities and people on the occasion referred to.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
Robert H. Pruyn, Esq., &c., &c., Yedo.