Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.

No. 56.]

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith (No. 1) the translation of a communication received on the 7th instant from the ministers for foreign affairs, together with the form of a passport adopted by them under the proclamation of the Japanese government, dated May 23d, 1866, and the tenth article of the convention of Yedo, dated June 25th, 1866.

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.

[Translation.]

We have to inform you that the form of passport to be issued to any Japanese, without distinction of class, either official or merchant, who may wish to travel abroad for purposes of study or trade, has been determined upon, and herewith send you a specimen copy of the same, which we request you to communicate to your government. We have further to say that such passports, when issued at Kanagawa, Nagasaki, or Hakodate, shall be partly stamped with a seal of the local governments, the counterpart of the seal to remain on record at the port of issue.


INOWEYE KAWATSI NO KAMI.

MATSU DAIRA SUWO NO KAMI.

MATSU DAIRA NIU NO KAMI.

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

No.—.

[Untitled]

Limited years; birthplace; name of the person; &c.; &c.; &c.

Age, ; stature, ; eyes, ; nose, ; mouth, ; face, ; scar,

This passport is supplied to the above-mentioned person upon his request to go to—— country for the purpose of study [trade] of ——.

It is requested to the authorities of every government to permit safely and freely to pass him on any country which he will travel, and in case of need to give him the lawful aid and protection.

Foreign Office, Japan, —. day ofmonth of the year —.