Mr. Seward to Mr. Pruyn
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the reception of your despatches of the 24th of July, (No. 48,) 24th of July, (No. 49,) and July 25, (No. 50,) which furnish the details of the assault made by the Prince of Nagato, or the Japanese, upon the American merchant ship Pembroke, and the proceedings of Commander McDougall, in the United States steamship-of-war Wyoming, under your sanction, to redress that wrong. The paper further describes the aggressions committed by the same parties against Dutch and British merchantmen, with the proceedings adopted by the representatives of all the treaty powers in regard to these outrages. Your proceedings, connected with them, are fully and cheerfully approved. You will, in all cases, hold the claims of this government and of citizens of the United States distinct and separate from those of other governments and subjects of other powers. But this separation will not be expected to restrain you from acting with your colleagues, and giving them your moral support; and when there is need, with reference to common defence, or to save a common right, or secure a common object, just and lawful in itself, the naval force of the United States will be expected to co-operate with those of the other western powers.
Having been advised by your despatch of the 8th of August, which came from San Francisco by telegraph, that the Tycoon has returned to Yedo, and that your relations with his government are much improved, I deem it inexpedient to restrain your discretion at present by special instructions, but cheerfully wait the development of events which must have occurred since that communication was sent.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Robert H. Pruyn, Esq., &c., &c., Yokohama.