No. 252.
Mr. Shepard to Mr. Fish.
Japan, June 16, 1872. (Received July 22.)
Sir: On the 14th instant I had the honor of presenting Rear-Admiral Jenkins to His Majesty the Tenno, and although the occasion itself presented no unusual features the circumstances were peculiar, and bringing me, as they did, at variance with my English, French, and Russian colleagues, I feel it my duty to give them in brief.
On the 24th ultimo, Mr. Watson arrived in Japan, and relieved Mr. Adams as Her Britannic Majesty’s chargé d’affaires. About the same time Mr. Butzou arrived as Russian chargé d’affaires, as did also the French admiral. It has been the custom of this court to receive chargé d’affaires and admirals, and the days for the receptions of the English charge d’affaires, Admiral Jenkins, the French admiral, and the Russian chargé d’affaires were all set in the order I have just named, with but a day or two between each.
Upon arranging the details, Mr. Watson found that the Tenno would receive sitting, to which he at once took exceptions. The Tenno declined to stand, saying that he received charge d’affaires and admirals only as a matter of courtesy, and that he could not be dictated to concerning the manner. He claimed that Japanese and foreign customs differed, and that while, for instance, in America and Europe it was courtesy to uncover the head, in Japan it was etiquette to cover it. Mr. Watson declined a presentation except the Tenno stood, and appealed [Page 323] to the French and Russian chargés d’affaires and myself to support him. These gentlemen deemed it proper to comply. I saw it my duty quite in the opposite direction. I only asked that Admiral Jenkins and myself be received as others had been and would be received. I claimed that foreign representatives had no right to demand a change of Japanese customs, and that intention should determine a courtesy or lack of courtesy, I deprecated the forcing of strict etiquette upon this people, as interpreted by an European court, and thought it better to suit ourselves to circumstances, and make allowances instead of seeking for points of dispute. With my opinions and support the minister for foreign affairs expressed himself delighted, and the audience was arranged as usual.
While in the waiting-room, the day of the presentation, I was informed that so pleased was His Majesty with my friendly actions that he had determined to receive me standing, assuring me that it was done as a particular mark of gratitude and friendship, and that in doing so he did not commit himself to future action. The other audiences spoken of have not yet taken place hence, how they will be received I cannot say; but be that as it may, through kind words a courtesy has been offered me which threats and demands were impotent to effect.
I have. &c,
Chargé d’Affaires ad int