Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward
Sir: About one year has now elapsed since the payment by the Japanese government of the third instalment of the Simonoseki indemnity, as provided by the convention of the 22d October, 1864.
The remaining three instalments are all past due, and no steps have as yet been taken, either to provide for the same, or to carry out the provisions of the agreement of November, 1865, between the treaty powers and Japan, by preparing for the opening of the ports of Hiogo and Osacca on the 1st of January next.
In compliance with the instructions contained in your despatch, No. 21, under date of July 18th, 1866, and upon consultation with my colleagues, the representatives of England, France, and the Netherlands, we came to the unanimous conclusion to no longer defer the demand for prompt payment of the remainder of that indemnity, and, consequently, on the 7th instant, I forwarded to the minister for foreign affairs a communication, a copy of which is herewith enclosed, marked No. 1.
My colleagues severally made a like request, urging the payment of one-third of the amount on the 15th of May, and the remainder in two instalments thereafter on the 15th August and the loth November. To this communication I have as yet received no answer.
Since the death of the Tycoon in August or September last, there have been no active movements in the field. The recent death of the Mikado has been the occasion of another armistice, but I am informed by a governor for foreign affairs that as soon as the days of mourning are passed, which will be in the early part of April, hostilities will be renewed.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.