Mr. Portman to Mr. Seward
No. 54.]
Legation of the United States in
Japan,
Yedo,
September 22, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, No.
1, copy of a letter received from the Gorogio, in reply to
representations made, informing me of the abolition of the regulations
concerning the trade in irico, awabi, and sharks’ fins, important
articles of commerce, principally at Nagasaki, for the China
markets.
I enclose, No. 2, copy of a letter addressed by me to Mr. Mangum, at
Nagasaki; similar letters on the subject were addressed to the consul at
Kanagawa and commercial agent at Hakodadi.
I can claim no credit for this important concession, which, like the
removal of the restrictions on the purchase of silk-worm eggs and
cocoons, the subject-matter of my despatch No. 52, of the 13th instant,
is the result of prompt and united action under the perfect accord
existing among the foreign representatives in this country.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
A. L. C. PORTMAN, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim
in Japan.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
[Page 263]
No. 1.
The Gorogio to Mr. Portman
I have the honor to inform you that I have instructed the governors
at the three opened ports to notify the consuls of the treaty powers
at those places, respectively, that it has been decided to abolish
the hitherto existing regulations concerning the trade in irico,
dried awabi, and sharks’ fins, and that from the 20th day of our
ninth month (the 8th November next) the trade in those articles
shall hereafter be as free as that in any other article of
commerce.
The governors at the opened ports may possibly find it convenient to
give effect to this decision at an earlier day, in which case the
consuls of the treaty powers will be duly notified by them.
I have to request you to make the foregoing known to the consuls of
the United States in this country.
With respect and esteem, the 2d day of the
eighth month of the first year of Ke-U, (21st September,
1865.)
MIDLUNO IDLUMI NO KAMI.
A. L. C. Portman, Esq., Chargé d’Affaires of the United States in
Japan, &c, &c.
No. 2.
Mr. Portman to Mr. Mangum
Legation of the United States in
Japan,
Yedo,
September 21, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that
this day I received a letter from the Gorogio, to the effect that
the governors at the opened ports have been instructed to abolish
the hitherto existing regulations complained of as restricting the
trade in irico, awabi, and sharks’ fins, and that from the 20th day
of the 9th month (the 9th November of this year) the said articles
may be as freely purchased as any other article of commerce.
The date as above mentioned has been fixed with a view of
inaugurating this improvement at the opened ports on the same day,
according to precedent, though it is optional with the governor at
each port to allow it to take effect at an earlier day; and on
causing inquiry to be made at the custom-house at your port, I trust
you will find that the governor has availed himself of the privilege
granted him, and that all the regulations of a restrictive character
above referred to have been already abolished from the date of the
receipt of his instructions.
Permit me to request you to make the foregoing known to all American
merchants within your jurisdiction.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
A. L. C. PORTMAN, Chargé d’ Affaires ad
interim in Japan.
W. P. Mangum,
United States Consul, Nagasakí.
