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

Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.

No. 78.]

Legation of the United States, Yokohama, August 3, 1868.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith inclosure No. 1, a copy of letter from Higashi Kuze Chinjio, minister for foreign affairs, informing me that from the 1st of September next Osaka will be a port of entry.

Among the foreign merchants at Hiogo and Osaka, the opinions of the relative future importance of those two places have been much divided, and by this measure they are now placed on a par.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

To His Excellency R. B. Van Vankenburgh, Minister Resident of the United States, &c., &c., &c.:

I have the honor to inform you that it has been determined to make Osaka a port of entry from the 15th day of the 7th month of this year, Ke Wo, as agreed upon at my recent conference with all the foreign representatives.

On the 6th day of the 6th month—July 25, 1868.

HIGASHI KUZE CHINJIO.