Mr. Pruyn to Mr.
Seward.
No. 58.]
Legation of the United States in
Japan,
Yedo,
October 29, 1862.
Sir: I have received from the minister of
foreign affairs a letter, of which I enclose translation, (enclosure No.
1,) requesting me to have constructed for them in the United States two
steam sloops of war of twenty-four heavy guns each, and one steam
gunboat with heavy guns, the number to be fixed by myself; the three
vessels to be propellers, with sailing gear, mathematical and nautical
instruments, and small-arms complete.
I have been induced to take this order, hoping and expecting that on fits
arrival home the rebellion will have been crushed, and that it will
supply work for our mechanics during the interval between the suspension
of work for our government and the resumption of that for our commercial
marine.
I have also been verbally requested by the ministers of foreign affairs
to procure for them a rifling machine and a field battery of six
guns.
I hope the government will approve of the selection of the agents I have
made. Being so many thousands of miles from home, I felt that I was
justified in confiding the trust to personal friends. I was therefore
happy that I had it in my power, when fixing on Thurlow Weed, esq., to
choose an individual who had without reward rendered signal services to
the government, and who has its entire confidence; and I also hope I
have not erred in selecting my friend and relative, Charles B. Lansing,
esq., of Albany, as his associate, as I thought it proper to choose one,
and in making the selection had in view the heavy pecuniary
responsibility I have assumed.
I enclose No. 2, copy of my letter to those gentlemen.
The ministers of foreign affairs have paid into my hands two hundred
thousand dollars on this account.
In the personal interview preceding this commission I have been highly
flattered by the proofs of confidence which have been given.
I trust that if anything were wanting to satisfy the President I have not
been unmindful of his instructions, and that I have a strong position
with this government, that this letter of the ministers will supply
it.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Page 672]
No. 1.
[Translation.]
To his Excellency Robert H. Pruyn,
Minister Resident of the United States of
America, &c., &c., &c.:
We have to state to your excellency, as we already did on several
occasions when consulting with you on the subject, that we desire to
have constructed in the United States and sent here two steam sloops
of twenty-four guns of heavy calibre each, propellers, with masts
and rigging, nautical instruments, small-arms, &c., and what
belongs thereto, with spare spars and sails, according to the
regulations for the American navy; and also a steam gunboat (with
heavy guns, the number of which we leave you to fix) of seven
hundred tons, Netherlands measure, propeller, masts, rigging,
&c., and with spare spars and sails, as above stated.
The cost of these vessels will amount, it is supposed, to eight
hundred and sixty thousand dollars, of which two hundred thousand
will now be paid in advance, the same amount on the 1st of January,
1863, and also on the 1st of March, and the balance, with the
expenses at sea, &c., will be paid together after the said ships
are finished and upon arrival here and delivery to us.
We desire that these ships be built as speedily as possible, strong
and cheap, as required by your own government.
We request your excellency to take the proper measures in regard to
the foregoing without delay.
Stated, with respect and esteem,
the 28th day of
the 8th complementary month of the 2d year of Bankin, (the
21st October, 1862.)
MIDSUNO IDSUMI NOKAMI.
ITAKURA SUWO NOKAMI.
No. 2.
[Untitled]
Legation of the United
States,
Yedo, October 29, 1862.
Gentlemen: The Japanese government hereby
authorize and empower you to contract for the building of two steam
sloops of war and of one steam gunboat, with machinery, rigging,
tackle, and armament complete, of the size and character herein
described.
The sloops to carry twenty-four cannon each, of heavy calibre, with
most approved screw and adequate steam power, with masts and
rigging, nautical instruments and small-arms all complete, and spare
spars and sails, according to the regulations of the American
navy.
The gunboat to be of seven hundred tons, Netherlands measure, to be a
propeller, with masts and rigging, instruments, arms, and spare
spars and sails, as above stated. The cannon to be heavy, the number
left to be fixed by myself. This is the sole description given by
the ministers.
To provide for the payment of the cost of construction, &c., said
government has placed in my hands the sum of two hundred thousand
dollars, which will be remitted by me as soon as I can purchase the
requisite drafts, and have agreed to advance the further sum of two
hundred thousand dollars on the first day of January next, the
further sum of two hundred thousand dollars on the first day of
March next, and to pay the balance of such cost, including the
expenses of delivering the same, on the delivery of said ships of
war in the harbor of Yedo.
As the government has done me the honor to say that it will rely
entirely on me to agree upon the price and see to the character of
the vessels, and will therefore send no officers to superintend
their construction, I have thought it proper to intrust this
commission to tried personal friends, who will see that this
confidence shall be fully justified.
In making such contracts, therefore, you will employ builders on whom
you can rely, whose capital will enable them to execute the contract
promptly, and whose skill and intelligence will insure the delivery
of vessels, &c., which shall reflect honor on our country.
As this government nearly a year since contracted for a steam sloop
of war in Holland, and the present order is a small one compared
with what will follow on the satisfactory completion of this one, it
is highly important that these vessels should be of the very first
class, and should not be excelled anywhere for economy and
excellency of build, and for speed, efficiency, durability, and
everything essential to constitute first-rate men-of-war.
To insure this, you are authorized to appoint a competent inspector,
and it is hoped that the government of the United States will, if
the rebellion shall, as I trust, have been entirely put down, assign
some naval officer for that purpose, as an act of courtesy to Japan
and of justice to the reputation of our own country.
Should you consider it proper you will see that suitable officers are
selected to bring said vessels to Japan.
You will take particular care that payments are not made until
sufficient work shall from time to time be done to insure the
fulfilment of the contract, and for that purpose insurances shall
[Page 673]
be required and
policies transferred to yon; and that the vessels and machinery
shall, during the progress of the work, belong to you, subject to
the right of the contractors to complete their work, also to guard
against liens for wages of workmen and debts for materials; in
short, obtain adequate security by means of the provisions of the
contract, and outside also of the contract, to guard against the
possibility of a failure to complete the work satisfactorily and
faithfully.
You will also purchase the necessary machinery for rifling cannon,
with steam engine and boilers, with the necessary connections,
safety valve, &c. I have no means of judging intelligently of
the cost of this, but have supposed that for six thousand dollars
the necessary machine and engine, say of twenty or twenty-five horse
power, could be procured. For this purpose this government has
advanced the sum of three thousand dollars; the balance will be paid
on the delivery of same in this harbor.
You are also authorized to purchase four bronze six-pounder rifled
cannon, one twenty-pounder and one thirty-pounder rifled Parrott
cannon, with the necessary caisson forges, &c., for field
battery appropriate thereto, together with a fair supply of James’s
shot and shell for said guns, and some of our improved powder for
large guns for this battery as well as for the ship’s batteries.
This battery and the above machine may be shipped by the vessels of
war when completed, or at an earlier day if practicable, as this
government will probably enter largely into the purchase of rifled
cannon, and a fair field will be opened here for the enterprise of
our countrymen.
The government will make an advance on account of the guns, advice of
which will probably reach you before any contract shall have been
made by you. The balance will be paid on delivery at Yokohama.
I remain, gentlemen, very truly and respectfully, your obedient
servant,
Thurlow Weed, and Chas. B. Lansing, Esq’s, Albany, N.
Y.
