Mr. Dayton to Mr.
Seward
No. 498.]
Paris,
June 30, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to send you herewith
translations of two communications received from the three Japanese
ambassadors, who have been residing in Paris for some time past, but who
have now left on their return to Japan.
Accompanying these you will please find the original communication from
the Japanese ambassadors to your excellency, referred to in one of the
translations enclosed.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward
&c., &c., &c.
[Translation.]
Japanese Ambassadors to Mr. Dayton
To his excellency the Minister of the United States
of America in France:
We have to make to you the following communication:
In the Magrato country of Japan was committed the unlawful act of
firing cannon into an American ship, which caused great regret on
account of the amicable relations of the two countries.
By the express order of his majesty the Taicoon of Japan to apologize
for this act, and to enter into negotiations as to the steps to be
taken in order to quiet the revolutionary sentiment of the Japanese
people, we left Japan in our twelfth month of the last year (in
Europe, February, 1864) with the view of obtaining, upon arriving in
the capital of the United States of America, an audience of his
excellency the President, and of having an interview with the
minister of foreign affairs, and now we are here at Paris, capital
of France.
We have now an important matter to set before our government, and we
are obliged to return from here to Japan, but, in conformity to the
order which will be given later by our government, it is possible
that we will return to Europe, and that we will reach your country.
It is desirable that you should understand this, whilst we will
communicate the details in writing to the minister of foreign
affairs of the United States of America.
Set forth with respect and consideration.
The
11th day of the 5th month of the 4th year of
Bunkin.
IKEDA TSIKOEGO NO-KAMI.
KAWADZO TDZOE-NO-KAMI.
KAWADA SAGAMI-NO-KAMI.
P. S.—It is requested that the sealed letter herewith be sent to
the minister of foreign affairs of the United States of
America.
[Page 119]
[Translation.]
Japanese Ambassadors to Mr. Dayton
To his excellency the Minister of the United States
of America in France:
We have to make you the following communication:
Some time since we begged you to ask of your government the date of
the completion of the vessels-of-war, which have been requested of
your government, and to send the answer to the place where we might
be at the time, and our secretary spoke to your secretary about the
matter; but as we return from here to Japan, we beg you to send
directly to Japan, to our address, the answer which you may receive
from your government.
Set forth with respect and consideration.
The
11th day of the 5th month in the 4th year
Boen-Cun.
IKEDA TSIKOEGO-NO-KAMI.
KAWADZO TDZOE-NO KAMI.
KAWADA SAGAMI-NO-KAMI.
