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. 91.]

Legation of the United States, Yokohama, September 9, 1868.

Sir: Our consul at Osaka and Hiogo having reported to me that the Japanese authorities at those places had prohibited the transportation of rice to other opened ports in Japan, I immediately addressed a letter on the subject to Higashi Kuze Chinjio, a copy of which I herewith transmit, inclosure No. 1.

This matter was then promptly discussed between the foreign representatives and Higashi Kuze, and I now transmit No. 2, copy of an arrangement which was unanimously accepted by the foreign representatives.

Copies of this arrangement have been forwarded to the consuls of the United States in this country.

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.

[Untitled]

No. 144.]

Legation of the United States in Japan, Yokohama, August 25, 1868.

The United States consul at Hiogo and Osaka has informed me that the Japanese authorities at those places have issued a prohibition of the transportation of rice to other opened ports in Japan.

I have now the honor to request you to furnish me with full information on the subject, which will then enable me to issue instructions to the United States consul and to take such further action as the case may demand.

In conclusion I beg to inform you that while I am disposed to maintain the friendliest relations with the government of his Majesty the Mikado, I am quite prepared to guard against any infringements or abrogations of treaty rights to the detriment of the citizens of the United States.

With respect and esteem,

R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Minister Resident in Japan.

His Excellency Higashi Kuse Chinjio, Minister for Foreign Affairs, &c., &c., &c.

1. Whenever the Japanese government considers it necessary, in view of prevailing scarcity, to prohibit the transportation of rice in foreign vessels from one opened port to another, a previous notice of two months shall be given accordingly to the consuls residing at the port where the prohibition is to take effect.

2. Such prohibition concerning both Japanese and foreigners alike shall only be temporary, and be removed as soon as circumstances shall permit.

3. It being found impossible to issue such previous notice in the present instance, the authorities at Osaka and Hiogo will suspend the prohibition for a space of twenty-one days, namely, from the 11th of September to the 1st of October, and during the period of twenty-one days the transportation of rice from Osaka and Hiogo to other open ports may freely take place in foreign vessels.