Mr. Van Valkenburgh to the Ministers for Foreign Affairs
About one year has now elapsed since the payment by the Japanese government of the third instalment of the Simonoseki indemnity.
The government of the United States has not by any act or word consented to the postponement of the remaining payments according to the terms of the convention, but desiring, in common with my colleagues, the representatives of England, France, and Holland, to give proof to the Japanese government of the friendship and consideration of our respective governments, and having been informed of the financial and other embarrassments of your government, I have not urged the fulfilment of the obligation.
I cannot consent longer to postpone the request for payment of the remainder of this just indebtedness, duty to the government which I represent requiring that I should present this matter in concert with my colleagues, whose governments are also interested therein, [Page 30] and to urge that your excellencies will fulfil the engagements made by the Japanese gov ernment by the prompt payment of the remaining instalments.
I shall therefore request that the first of those instalments will be paid on the 15th day of May next, the second in three, and the third in six months thereafter.
With respect and esteem,
Their Excellencies the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Yedo.