Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Fortieth Congress

Mr. Seward to Mr. Van Valkenburgh

No. 30.]

Department of State, Washington, October 7, 1867.

Sir: Your despatch of the 17th of August, No. 38, has been received. It communicates the painful intelligence that George Bunkers, a seaman, belonging to the American bark Valetta, was murdered on the 14th of June in the public streets of Nagasaki.

Your own diligent efforts and those of the consul to stimulate the Japanese authorities to discover and punish the assassins are especially approved and commended. I reserve a more definite instruction with the hope that in later despatches you may have been able to throw some more light upon that painful transaction.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

R. B. Van Valkenburgh, Esq., &c., &c., &c.