Mr. Portman to Mr. Seward.
No. 69]
Legation of the United States in
Japan,
Yedo,
December 7, 1865.
Sir: As stated in my despatch No. 66, of the 30th ultimo, I that day addressed a
letter to the minister for foreign affairs, informing him of my return
to Yedo, and transmitting copies of the Mikado’s sanction and
accompanying documents. I now have the honor to transmit enclosure No.
1, a copy of that letter, and also enclosure No. 2, a translation of his
reply.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient
servant,
A. L. C. PORTMAN, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim
in Japan.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
No. 1.
[Untitled]
Legation of the United States in
Japan,
Yedo,
November 30, 1865.
I have the honor to inform your excellency of my return to Yedo, and
to transmit herewith for your information copies of three documents,
as follows:
No. 1. The Mikado to his Majesty the Tycoon, sanctioning the
treaties.
No. 2. The minister for foreign affairs to Mr. Portman.
No. 3. With regard to the promulgation of the Mikado’s sanction.
I am happy to believe that the peace and prosperity of Japan, in
harmony with foreign relations, have now been placed on a lasting
foundation under the strong government of his Majesty the
Tycoon.
Official copies of the foregoing documents, and instructions in
connection therewith, from his Majesty the Tycoon will no doubt
reach your excellency at an early day, and I now have the honor to
request you at once to appoint commissioners for the negotiation
with the foreign representatives of amendments in the tariff, so
urgently needed both for Japanese and foreign interests.
With respect and esteem,
A. L. C. PORTMAN, Chargé d’Affaires ad
interim of the United States in
Japan.
His Excellency Midsuno Idsumi no Kami,
Minister for Foreign Affairs, &c.,
&c., &c., Yedo.
No. 2.
[Translation.]
I have received your letter, No. 120, of the 30th November, informing
me of the result of your negotiations with my colleagues at Osacca
during your recent visit to Hiogo.
I am greatly obliged to you for your kindness in so promptly
communicating this to me, thereby again showing your desire to
promote friendly feeling between our respective countries.
I shall be prepared to enter upon the contemplated negotiations, as
stated to you by the
[Page 195]
governor for foreign affairs, Edzre Kanga no Kami, as soon as the
official communication to that effect shall have been received from
Osacca.
Which I have to state with respect and esteem.
The
seventeenth day of the 10th month of the first year of Ke
Yu, (December 4,) 1857.
MIDSUNO IDSUMI NO KAMI.
A. L. C. Portman, Esq., Chargé d’Affaires of the United States,
&c., &c.
