Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Thirty-ninth Congress

Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.

No. 42.]

Legation of the United States in Japan, Yedo, September 28, 1866.

Sir I have the honor to inform you that on my arrival at Yokohama, on the 12th of August, I found the Italian frigate Magenta in the harbor, whose captain was accredited as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, as I was informed, with full powers to conclude a treaty with Japan. About the 1st of September, I learned from public rumor that a treaty had been concluded with Italy by the Japanese government, and about that time the Italian frigate left the harbor of Yokohama.

On the 14th of this month, having received from the Gorogio no communication relative to this subject, I addressed them a letter calling their attention to the fact that five years ago the Japanese government had desired the then minister of the United States to request his government to notify Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Italy, Spain, and Sweden, that treaties could not then be made, and suggesting that I be informed officially that a treaty had been concluded with Italy, and that the United States government be requested to inform the other fire-powers that the Japanese government was then prepared to enter into treaty relations with them.

Immediately I was called upon by one of the governors of foreign affairs, in order that the matter might be explained. In the course of the conversation he told me that Denmark had applied, through Mr. Van Polsbroeck, H. N. M. political agent and consul general in Japan, to make a treaty with the Japanese government, and that the Hawaiian government had also applied to enter into treaty with Japan, through Mr. E. M. Van Reed, consul general of the Hawaiian islands in Japan.

The governor gave as a reason for not notifying me that they were ready to enter into treaty relations with the five other powers; that the Japanese government was at war, and they desired to defer the treaties until peace should be restored. However, on my explaining to him that courtesy, both to the United States government and from the United States government to the government of these other countries, required such a communication should be sent, he promised to forward it at once, and on the 27th instant I received the enclosed communication, which I have the honor to forward as requested by the Gorbgio.

This government will make treaties with these powers whenever ministers shall arrive properly accredited for that purpose, but they prefer to defer it until peace shall be restored to the empire.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

[Untitled]

Legation of the United States in Japan, Yedo, September 14, 1866.

With reference to your archives, your excellencies will perceive that more than five year ago a letter was transmitted from your government, at your request, through this legation, by the government of the United States to the governments of Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Italy, Spain, and Sweden, to the effect that his Majesty the Tycoon was not then prepared, owing to the state of affairs in this country, to enter into treaty relations with them. The recent conclusion of a treaty with one of those powers, namely, Italy, is a pleasing evidence of the removal of the difficulties set forth in your circular letter; though I must express my regret, while cheerfully acknowledging the progress made by Japan since that letter was written, that after the friendly action of my government above referred to, your excellencies have omitted to inform me officially of the conclusion of your treaty with the kingdom of Italy. As it was at the request of your government that the government of the United States notified the six powers above named that treaties could not be made, now the treaty with Italy having been concluded and the disabilities mentioned in the circular letter having been removed, would it not be expedient for your government, without delay, to request the government of the United States to use its friendly offices with the governments of Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Spain, and Sweden, on your behalf, and announce your desire to enter into treaty relations with them, as international courtesy would seem to require ?

When announcing the conclusion of your treaty with the kingdom of Italy, I shall of course inform my government that the disabilities mentioned in your circular letter of 1861 are removed, and that you are probably prepared to enter into treaty relations with the five other powers, to whom such circular letter was addressed, though I hope that on a careful and prompt consideration of the matter to which your attention is now invited, you will at once enable me to convey to the five powers named the pleasing intelligence of your readiness to conclude treaties with them, in precisely the same manner as adopted by you in 1861, when, through the considerate courtesy of my government, you were enabled to convey to them the unpleasant intelligence that you were not prepared to do so.

With respect and esteem,

R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Minister Resident of the United States in Japan.

Their Excellencies the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, &c., &c., &c., Yedo.

[Translation.]

Sir: We have the honor to make the following communication:

Lately an ambassador was sent from the Italian government, who applied to make a treaty, but we intended to refuse to treat, as we troubled the former minister of your country to give information to the government of each power that we were obliged to decline to make treaties with any foreign powers, except those with whom we were already in amity, until our realm became quiet and in peace; and Italy is one of those powers, and our government has not become quiet. However, the reason that the ambassador gave was not only for the benefit of commerce, but was this: that when Italian men-of-war, which are in the eastern seas, may be in peril, they would have no port in which to take refuge unless the treaty was made, and Italy was now engaged in war with Austria. This reason made it unavoidable for us to consent, and in compassion we could not refuse, and so the treaty was concluded at last.

We give you this particular account of this, as we troubled the former minister of your country on the subject. On the application of her ambassador we made the treaty with Italy. Now, our government is willing to make a treaty with other powers, but at present we are busy raising an army and transporting ammunition, and engaged in war in Nagato and Suwo, and we have many other troubles.

We prefer to wait for making treaties with other powers until peace be restored in our country. We hope that you will understand our condition, by which we are compelled to say this, although it is unpleasant to us, and will report it properly to your considerate government.

With respect and esteem.

The sixth day of the eighth month of the second year of Kaiao, (September 14, 1866.)

INOWEYE KAWATSI NO KAMI.

MATSU DA IRA SUWO NO KAMI.

MATSU DA IRA NOO-IE NO KAMI.

His Excellency R. B. Van Valkenburgh, Minister Resident of the United States of America.