Mr. Portman to Mr. Seward.
Sir: While temporarily residing at this place, for the purpose of daily consultation with the representatives of the treaty powers in reference to the negotiations for the revision of the tariff, now in progress, I soon became convinced of the great importance to our interests of establishing an American marine hospital at Yokohama
On inquiry I found that there exists a so-called general hospital in a small building, wholly unsuited for the purpose, owned by an English physician, into which no patients are admitted except on the payment of exorbitant fees.
To this establishment it became necessary to remove some of our wounded from the Wyoming, after her action at Simonoseki in 1863. The English and French have already established national hospitals at this place; and their sick, both civil and military, receive all the care and attention they require. It is principally among our destitute seamen discharged from merchant vessels that great suffering is often witnessed, which it is not always in the power of any individual to relieve. From Dr. Vedder, formerly a surgeon in the navy, I learned that only a few days ago a seaman, one of forty recently discharged from the steam covette Fuge Yama, died from a disease which might probably have been arrested had proper accommodation and applicances been at the disposal of his physician. With the early establishment of our Pacific steamship line, and the increase of American shipping at this port, the need of hospital accommodation will daily become more apparent. How many valuable lives may not be saved, or how much suffering may not be relieved, among the officers and crews of the East India squadron, if hospital accommodation be within reach, in case small-pox or any such contagious disease should make its appearance ? And on this station this is of frequent occurrence. I accordingly applied to this government for a suitable location, and I now have the honor to inform you that I received a letter from the Gorogio to the effect that the governor of Kanagawa has been authorized to grant me a suitable lot of ground on the bluffs at this place for an American marine hospital.
Admiral Bell, now at Hong Kong, has been pleased to inform me that it is his intention soon to visit Japan. On his arrival I shall not fail to call his immediate attention to this matter, and feel confident of meeting with his cordial support.
I hope you will approve of my action, and that, in view of the great importance of the establishment of a marine hospital, which indeed can scarcely be overestimated, you will be pleased to recommend to Congress to make an appropriation for that purpose. It is estimated that a sum of ten thousand dollars, judiciously expended in the construction of the necessary buildings, and for providing medicines, surgical instruments, &c., would be sufficient. Respectfully [Page 201] recommending the subject to your favorable consideration, I beg to suggest, that in case of approval the fleet surgeon of the East India squadron be charged with the construction and general superintendence of such marine hospital.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.