No. 254.
Mr. De Long to Mr. Fish.
United States
Legation in Japan,
Yokohama, March 9, 1873.
(Received April 11.)
No. 361.]
Sir: I have the honor to advise you that on the
27th instant the legation from Peru, headed by Señor Aurelio Garcia y
Garcia, arrived here per the American mail. The day following, his
excellency, accompanied by his secretary of legation, J. Federico Elmore,
called upon me, and I at once accompanied and introduced them to the several
foreign representatives here.
On the next day I accompanied them to Yedo, intending to call with them at
the foreign office and introduce them to the ministers, but on our arrival
we found it to be a holiday and the office closed.
Knowing Mr. Soyeshima’s earnest desire to meet with the embassy as speedily
as possible after its arrival, I went alone to his residence, to learn from
him if it would be agreeable for me to call with them there on that day.
During my interview with him he advised me of his intention to offer the
legation a temporary residence at Enryo Kwan, the imperial chateau in Yedo,
reserving only the royal apartments, thus making them for the time being the
guests of the government, and also expressed a desire to have them at once
call upon him, which we accordingly did. The interview was very pleasant in
its nature; a copy of the letter of credence
[Page 573]
was delivered, the chateau was tendered and accepted,
and an audience at an early day requested and promised.
I also tendered to the legation any use they might see proper to make of the
legation building in Yedo, placed the services of Mr. N. E. Rice,
interpreter for our legation, at their disposition.
Returning from Yedo to Yokohama with Señor Garcia, the question of the Maria
Luz case was discussed to some extent by us.
In the course of that conversation I ventured to state to Captain Garcia my
opinion, to the effect that if any serious controversy should arise between
his government and this upon that subject, Japan would unquestionably have
arrayed with her the liveliest sympathies of many of the Christian states;
that in the efforts this nation was putting forth to become a civilized
power, she carried with her constantly the active assistance of all states
having treaty relations with her, and that the foreign representatives at
her court had always endeavored to act as a unit in assisting and
encouraging her in each labor of reform; that we had all been called upon
very frequently to overlook on the part of this government errors and
mistakes sometimes amounting to actual grievances; that this action had been
taken to prevent casting a chill upon the tide of good feeling for foreign
states that had so strongly set in here; that in this great movement in
favor of civilization I felt sure his government and himself must feel as
lively a sympathy as any other government or representative; that within the
last few weeks this government had inaugurated reforms most gratifying to
the civilized world—it had repealed its edicts against Christianity, taken
down its notifications and proclamations relative to the same, proclaimed
rules organizing its judiciary on the basis of courts in Europe and America,
and had also offered, upon certain conditions, to open its entire territory
freely to foreigners; that in these noble works of reform Mr. Soyeshima had
been recognized by the diplomatic corps resident here, as the able and
active leader; that, at such a juncture, it must cause inexpressible pain to
the civilized world to have anything occur tending to check this noble
progress, or to weaken the influence of a minister so able and so liberal as
Mr. Soyeshima; that under such circumstances I begged to express the hope
that on his part these negotiations would be conducted in a spirit of
magnanimity and liberality, overlooking technical faults, in order to
preserve undisturbed the spirit of good-feeling now animating this
people.
I further stated to him that I had been thus candid with him in order that
the direction of my sympathies might not be misunderstood; and further, that
he might have a correct understanding of the condition of affairs here at
this time.
His excellency was kind enough to hear me through with courtesy and patience,
and, after I had concluded, to assure me that all I had said should be
maturely considered by him; and also he expressed the liveliest sympathy
with the spirit of progress which was prevailing here.
Several days after his excellency’s arrival he delivered to me a formal
letter announcing the same. (Inclosure No. 1.)
Also a letter from the Peruvian government, thanking me for my action in
representing its interests here. (Inclosure No. 2.)
To the latter I replied on the 2d instant, expressing my willingness to
assist this legation in establishing treaty relations with Japan, presenting
complete accounts of all expenses that had been incurred in taking charge of
the vessel, and tendering her to his excellency; also, agreeable to a verbal
request made by him, I inclosed copies of all dispatches,
[Page 574]
with their in closures, sent by me to his
government which had not arrived at Lima prior to his departure. (Inclosure
No. 3.)
I beg to advise you that I have not furnished to his excellency copies of any
instructions received by me from you, nor copies of any dispatches sent from
this legation to you.
Before the sailing of the next mail I will prepare, in order to forward to
you, a complete list of such documents as I have furnished him with.
On the 3d instant the minister was received by the Emperor, as he advised me
by note of date March 4, (inclosure No. 4,) and at the same time he
unofficially furnished me with a copy of his address to the Emperor,
(inclosure No. 5,) and also a copy of His Majesty’s reply, (inclosure No.
6.)
On the 5th instant I received from his excellency a dispatch acknowledging
the receipt of my note with inclosures, expressing his satisfaction
therewith, and also with accounts of the Maria Luz as presented, promising
to pay the same and asking me to retain possession of the ship for a short
time, (inclosure No. 7.)
On the 8th instant I received another note from him, asking for copies of the
correspondence that had passed between this legation and the Japanese
government, relative to the establishment of a new court of justice for
Kanagawa, and the amendment of the municipal convention of Yokohama. Also
for a copy of that convention, and a copy of the dispatch received at this
legation in 1867 accepting that convention, (inclosure No. 8.) To which I
replied, after first asking the minister for foreign affairs if there was
any objection on his part to my complying with this request, and receiving
his assurance that there were none, (inclosure No. 9.)
The inclosures with this dispatch are the same as those which I forwarded to
you with my No. 446, with the addition of the copy of the convention, and
the letter of the Japanese government accepting it in 1867. In this
connection I beg leave to advise you of my receipt on the 7th of last
February of two dispatches from the Peruvian government, (inclosures Nos. 10
and 11,) to which I replied on the 18th of that month, (inclosure No. 12.)
This I believe completes the record of all my correspondence with that
government, also with this government, relative to Peruvian interests, and
also with the Peruvian legation.
On day before yesterday I met Mr. Soyeshima, who wished to confer with me
about the business of the Peruvian embassy.
He appeared somewhat restless at the idea of being detained hereby this
business, and being compelled to enter upon the Maria Luz discussion, which
had evidently become somewhat distasteful to him. He asked me what course I
would recommend him to pursue. In reply I said, “At your conference
appointed for to-morrow I would at once offer to conclude a treaty with
Peru, upon as favorable terms and conditions as those existing between Japan
and other states; after doing which, when the Peruvian minister should
mention the Maria Luz business, I would unhesitatingly say to him that the
government of Japan never having had any relations with the Peruvian
government or its people prior to the arrival of this bark, it must be
apparent to him that the Japanese government had no intention or desire to
give any offense to the Peruvian government, and stood ready to give him
such an assurance; that if the Peruvian minister should claim that the
transaction has been illegal, that the interests of private parties had been
injured, and prefer a claim for a money indemnity, to treat such claim with
respect, notwithstanding however fixed his opinions might be against it, to
say to the minister in reply that the Japanese government, in the conduct
[Page 575]
of the Maria Luz case, had
been prompted solely by the desire to do justice and relieve suffering
humanity; that it had been guided in its actions by advisers upon whose
legal opinions the government placed the greatest credit, yet he stood ready
to hear from them any representation they might have to make in proof of the
illegality of this proceeding, and would not hesitate, if convinced that any
injustice had been done to any of his people, to grant them a proper
indemnity; that the discussion of this question was one that could not well
be entered upon by him until they had presented their case and he had
submitted it to the law-officers of his government for their examination and
report; that his intention to leave in a few days for Peking would preclude
the possibility of his entering upon that discussion before his return,
therefore necessitating such delay or otherwise submitting the matter to his
successor in the foreign office.”
Mr. Soyeshima expressed himself entirely satisfied with this expression of
opinion.
On the same day I was also called upon by Mr. Garcia, who inquired of me
whether I thought it best for him to conduct these negotiations verbally or
in writing. I replied that if I was conducting the negotiation I would first
ask a conference, and at that conference I would state all of my requests,
and learn the views of this government in reply. Then, if it should occur
that some were assented to and others not, he would understand to what
points it would be necessary for him to address his written case. This
seemed to accord with the minister’s views, and since that time a conference
has been held, the proceedings of which have been detailed to me by Mr.
Rice, who acted as interpreter.
From Mr. Rice’s statement it appears that Mr. Soyeshima opened the conference
by stating that, being compelled to absent himself for a short time, he
deemed it his duty to ask the Peruvian envoy for a statement of the objects
of his mission; that he would be required to explain the same to His Majesty
the Ten no before his departure, and would also like to be able to reply to
any questions upon the same that might be asked him while in China; that if
a treaty was desired, as had been hinted by the Peruvian envoy at the
audience with the Tenno, the government was ready to discuss the same, and
that if the Maria Luz case was to be opened again they would give him their
attention also. But with reference to the latter, he must allow that the
government of Japan, never having had any relations with Peru, could not be
suspected of any desire to injure or oppress its people that came into a
Japanese port on their own country’s vessel, and his government was ready to
give them such assurances at any time, and closed by stating that his
government had considered that in conducting the proceedings as it had done
it was acting humanely and from the best of motives, and having no desire to
conceal one single act of theirs from the public eye, had in fact
distributed copies of the whole case to the different treaty powers, in
order to learn the opinions of those who had one to give.
His excellency the Peruvian minister then replied that he was much pleased to
learn the good intentions of the Japanese government shown toward the
participants in that affair; that some of his people had sustained personal
inconveniences and pecuniary loss; and whereas the original intention of the
Peruvian government had been to establish a treaty of amity, &c., with
Japan, and named its officers who were to attempt such a duty, the reports
of the Maria Luz affair had claimed their later attention, and he, as the
envoy, considered that it should be considered firstly, and a determination
as to whether his
[Page 576]
people were
entitled to a pecuniary indemnity for losses sustained be arrived at before
the treaty negotiations were entered into.
Mr. Soyeshima then repeated his willingness to have the matter considered by
the proper officers of his government, and proposed that in the event of a
final disagreement the question be referred to some friendly power for
arbitration and settlement.
His excellency Señor Garcia then said he was willing for such points as could
not be agreed upon to be referred in such a way, so that an arrangement
might be made before Mr. Soyeshima left Yedo for China; and Mr. Soyeshima
replied that he would not have time to consider the question at all before
his departure, whereupon his excellency Señor Garcia gave notice of his
intention to send in his exposition of the case within a few days, and Mr.
Soyeshima reiterated his promise that his successor would give it his
careful attention.
Thus this matter stands at present, with the relations between the legation
from Peru and the Japanese government most kind, and the whole affair in as
fair a shape for amicable adjustment as could be wished.
Trusting to your kind approval, I have, &c.,
[Inclosure. 1.—Translation.]
Peruvian minister to
Mr. De Long.
Yokohama, February 28,
1873.
Sir: I have the honor to inform your excellency
that I arrived in this city late yesterday by way of San Francisco,
California, accredited by the government of Peru as envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipotentiary.
My government has intrusted me in a special manner to express to your
excellency the very particular pleasure which they have experienced on
knowing the solicitous care with which your excellency has attended to
the Peruvian interests which were intrusted to your excellency since
1870, and more especially your excellency’s action in the incident of
the Peruvian bark Maria Luz. The minister for foreign affairs has
separately written to your excellency a communication on this
subject.
Within a few moments I shall give myself the pleasure of calling at your
excellency’s residence in order to express personally to your excellency
the above sentiments, which are also those felt by him who now has the
honor to subscribe himself as your excellency’s most obedient
servant,
[Inclosure 2.—Translation.]
Peruvian minister of
foreign affairs to Mr. De
Long.
Department
of Foreign Affairs,
Lima, November 21,
1872.
Hon. Aurelio Garcia y Garcia, a post-captain in the Peruvian navy, who
will place this note in your excellence’s hands, has been appointed
envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary at the courts of China
and Japan, with the object of concluding treaties of friendship and
commerce with both countries. Mr. Garcia is also charged with the
mission to arrange in an amicable manner, with the government at Yedo,
the question which has arisen out of the disagreeable incident which
took place at Yokohama with the Peruvian ship Maria Luz. Mr. Garcia’s
mission is one of peace, and although the government had the purpose at
first, that is to say, before the incident came to their knowledge, to
send the legation, accompanied by two men-of-war, which would give it
more prestige, the government gave up this idea in order to avoid doubts
about its peaceful intentions.
The legation intrusted to Captain Garcia needs then the support and
co-operation which, I have no doubt, your excellency will please lend to
it, continuing in this way the good
[Page 577]
offices which your excellency has exercised in
favor of Peru, near that government, in the case of the Maria Luz, and
in the transmission to this department of the full and detailed facts
which refer to it.
The Peruvian government will always feel grateful both to the Government
of the United States for the recommendation which in our favor they made
to their represent tative in Japan, as also to your excellency for the
solicitous care with which your excellency has acted on that
recommendation.
Independent of this, Mr. Garcia is likewise instructed to arrange with
your excellency about the expenses which your excellency has sent to
this department, and any other matter referring to the service of
Peru.
I avail myself of this opportunity to repeat to your excellency the
expression of thanks of my government, and to offer once more to your
excellency the assurances of my distinguished consideration and
esteem.
His Excellency Mr. De Long,
Minister of
the United States in Japan.
[Inclosure 3.]
Mr. De
Long to the Peruvian
minister.
United
States Legation,
Yokohama, March 2,
1872.
No. 63.]
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of the dispatch from your government, dated the 21st of November
last, forwarded to me in your care.
I have carefully noted its contents, and after first expressing my deep
sense of gratification at learning that my course here, while
representing Peruvian interests, has been approved, I beg to express my
admiration for the kind consideration manifested in revoking the
original intention of sending your legation forth in vessels of war as
soon as the Maria Luz complication became known to your government.
I am also deeply gratified to learn by this dispatch that your mission is
one of peace, and that you bear with you instructions to adjust the
Maria Luz business in an amicable manner. With such information before
me, I feel at liberty to answer you that it will be a great pleasure to
me to aid you to negotiate a treaty of amity and commerce with Japan,
and in establishing cordial relations with this empire.
I congratulate your excellency and the officers comprising your suite
upon your safe arrival here, and I beg to express the hope that your
mission may result in the greatest good to your own and also to this
country.
In obedience to the verbal suggestion made to me yesterday by your
excellency’s secretary of legation, Señor J. Fredrico Elmore, I have now
the honor to transmit to you herewith copy of a dispatch, (No. 218,) of
the 6th of October last, addressed by me to your government respecting
the Maria Luz; also a copy of my dispatch to your government relative to
the same subject, (No. 229,) of the 5th of last November, (with eight
inclosures,) and my No. 151 of the 16th of last November, (with eleven
inclosures;) also my No. 18 of the 18th of last January, (with two
inclosures,) and my No. 48 of the 18th of last February; also copy of a
note from the acting master of the Maria Luz, dated the 22d of January,
communicating an inventory made by him of the property on board the
bark, and a list of certain other property belonging to the bark,
recovered from the schooner South Sea. Also another communication from
the same source, dated the 13th of January last, forwarding the expenses
of that vessel for that month.
This forms, I believe, a complete history of all my correspondence about
this bark which I have conducted with all parties; also it embodies a
complete history of all my correspondence with your government, and all
of my correspondence with this on behalf of Peruvian interests which had
not reached Lima prior to your departure. It also exhibits a complete
account of the property found on board of the vessel when I assumed
charge of her; and also an account in full of all expenses incurred,
under my direction, in paying off the crew and maintaining possession of
the bark.
I beg leave, in conclusion, to request your excellency to extend an early
examination into the accounts of this ship; and I also beg to advise you
that it is my desire to speedily transfer its custody into your
hands.
I have the honor to remain, sir, your most obedient servant,
His Excellency Aurelio
Garcia,
Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Peru to China and
Japan.
[Page 578]
[Inclosure 4.—Translation.]
Mr. Garcia to Mr.
De
Long.
Yedo, March 4,
1873.
No. 1.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform your excellency
that having arrived in this empire appointed by his excellency the
President of the republic of Peru, as envoy extraordinary and minister
plenipotentiary, I was received yesterday, together with all the members
of my legation, by His Majesty theTenno, in a public audience.
On communicating to your excellency this event, it is very gratifying to
me to express to your excellency the honor I feel in forming part of so
distinguished a body as the diplomatic corps accredited to this
court.
I avail myself of this first opportunity to offer your excellency the
assurance of the high and distinguished consideration with which I have
the honor to be, your excellency’s most obedient servant,
His Excellency C.
E. De Long,
Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of United States in
Japan.
A true translation.
J. FREDERICO ELMORE,
Secretary Peruvian Legation.
[Inclosure 5.—Translation.]
Address of the Peruvian minister to the Mikado.
Sire: Great is the honor which I, at this
moment, feel on presenting myself before Your Majesty as the first envoy
accredited by my country, the republic of Peru, at the court of the
ancient empire of Japan, ruled to-day by so wise and prudent a monarch
as Your Majesty, who is executing in this magnificent country, with the
general applause, the most extraordinary and transcendental reforms.
The kind reception and courteous hospitality which Your Majesty’s
government has in so spontaneous and delicate a manner shown me, will be
most highly appreciated by the nation whom I represent, and have created
in me the profoundest gratitude, the public expression of which I regard
as one of my first and most important duties.
I have been intrusted, in a very especial manner, by His Excellency the
President of Peru, to express to Your Majesty how earnest is the
interest he feels in the development of the relations which always
should exist between the countries separated as they are by an ocean of
easy navigation, and both of them abounding in valuable and distant
productions. Through the advantages of a mutual interchange, mutual
prosperity would be attained, provided it was based on acts of justice,
as indeed, with profound faith, will be expected of Your Majesty, who in
such high degree possesses that preeminent virtue. That a long and
peaceful life may permit Your Majesty to carry out to their complete
termination the progressive and liberal measures which have been
decreed, are my earnest hopes, at the time that I place in Your
Majesty’s august hands the letter of credence by which His Excellency
President Pardo appoints me envoy extraordinary and minister
plenipotentiary of Peru near Your Majesty. It only remains for me to
assure Your Majesty that frankness and good faith will be my only
guides, and with them I am sure of finding in Your Majesty the best
helps to fix on lasting bases the relations of all kinds between Peru
and Japan.
A true translation.
J. FREDERICO ELMORE,
Secretary Peruvian Legation.
[Inclosure 6.]
Reply of the Mikado to the address of the Peruvian
minister.
[Translation.]
royal reply to the envoy extraordinary and minister
plenipotentiary of peru.
We are highly gratified that you, sir, have come hither as envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary from his excellency the
President of Peru, bearing credentials
[Page 579]
from the same, with the expressed desire that the
friendship between both countries may be closer drawn.
It is not to be doubted, sir, that your ability will enable you to
sustain the duty intrusted, and accomplish the desire of the President,
be prospered, and the friendly relations between both countries may be
lasting.
Third
month, 6th year of the illustrious reign.
MEIJI.
[Inclosure 7.—Translation.]
Mr. Garcia to Mr.
De Long.
Yedo, March 5,
1873.
No. 2.]
Sir: It is with the greatest satisfaction that
I have received your excellency’s esteemed communication, dated March 2,
1873, accompanied by numerous inclosures, which form, your excellency
states, a complete history of all your excellency’s correspondence about
the bark Maria Luz, conducted by your excellency with all parties;
embodying also a complete history of all your excellency’s
correspondence with the Peruvian and Japanese governments, on behalf of
Peruvian interests, subsequently to my departure from Lima; exhibiting
likewise, your excellency adds, a complete account of the property found
on board of the vessel when your excellency assumed charge of her; as
also an account in full of all the expenses incurred, under your
excellency’s direction, in paying off the crew and maintaining the
possession of the bark.
I am sincerely obliged to your excellency for the kind words which your
excellency employs in congratulating me and the members of my legation
upon our safe arrival here. I also thank your excellency for the amiable
offer which your excellency makes to aid me in my efforts to negotiate a
treaty with Japan, and in establishing cordial relations with this
empire.
By the first mail I shall inform my government, both of the contents of
the dispatch which I have the honor to answer and of the friendly action
and good offices which, with so much kindness, have been lent me by your
excellency, even before I landed at the port of Yokohama.
I have also read, with equal pleasure, your excellency’s favorable
opinion about the objects of the present mission, and the manner it
finally came to this country, on account of the original intention of
sending it forth on board of vessels of war having been revoked.
The accounts of the Maria Luz shall be paid without delay, in conformity
with the documents which your excellency has forwarded to me, as soon as
your excellency may see fit. In conclusion, I beg your excellency to
please wait a few days more, in order to come to a final resolution
about what is to be done with the said ship.
I avail myself of this new opportunity to repeat to your excellency the
assurances of my particular esteem and of my most distinguished
consideration.
His Excellency C.
E. De Long,
Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of United States of
America.
A true translation.
J. FREDERICO ELMORE,
Secretary Peruvian Legation.
[Inclosure 8.—Translation.]
Mr. Garcia to Mr.
Long.
Yedo, March 6,
1873.
No. 3.]
Sir: It has come to my knowledge, and is
publicly known, that some years ago the Japanese government signed an
agreement with the representatives of the treaty powers, in virtue of
which the citizens and subjects of non-treaty powers, when coming under
the jurisdiction of Japanese courts, would be tried only by a court
composed in a certain particular manner agreed upon.
Afterward the government of Japan, wishing to annul the agreement, asked
that it might be amended, in consequence of which anew convention has
been signed on the subject by this government with the foreign
diplomatic agents present at the time.
[Page 580]
Having arrived in this country after the events referred to had
transpired, it would he very interesting to me to possess a copy of the
documents and correspondence upon this matter, and I would be
exceedingly thankful to your excellency if your excellency would oblige
me by furnishing me with a copy of them.
I have the honor to be your excellency’s most obedient servant,
A true translation.
J. FREDERICO ELMORE,
Secretary Permian Legation.
[Inclosure 9.]
Mr. De
Long to Mr. Garcia.
United
States Legation, Japan,
March 8, 1873.
No. 66.]
Sir: Acknowledging the receipt of your
excellency’s note of yesterday’s date, I have the honor in reply to
herewith forward the copies of documents as requested.
- No. 1. Note from minister of foreign affairs to C. E. De Long, dated September 12,
1872, announcing the organization of a new court for
Kanagawa.
- No. 2. C. E. De Long in
reply, same date, calling attention to this action being in
violation of the Yokohama municipal convention.
- No. 3. Minister in reply, September 8, 1872, denying the existence
of the convention referred to, and claiming the right to organize
the court in question, as they had done.
- No. 4. C. E. De Long in
reply, affirming the existence of the convention, and calling for
express recognition or repudiation of the same.
- No. 5. Minister in reply expressly repudiating the same.
- No. 6. De Long in reply
expressing his regret, and promising to report the correspondence to
his government.
- No. 7. Japanese ministers, of date October 15, 1872, asking to
renew the correspondence on this subject.
- No. 8. Japanese ministers to De
Long, January 12, 1873, proposing an amendment to
municipal convention.
- No. 9. De Long in reply,
assenting to the amendment with slight modification.
- No. 11. C. E. De Long,
January 29, 1873, to foreign representatives advising them of the
amendment proposed by the Japanese government, and asking their
views.
- No. 12. Copy assent of diplomatic corps as indorsed on original
circular letter.
- No. 13. C. E. De Long to
Japanese ministers, February 9, 1873, announcing the assent obtained
and assenting to same on account of United States and
Holland.
- No. 14. Japanese government assenting to the amendment
formally.
- No. 15. C. E. De Long to
United States consul, notifying the amendment as in force.
- No. 16. C. E. De Long to
Japanese ministers, notifying this action, February 16, 1873.
- No. 17. Japanese ministers to R. B. Van Valkenburg, United States
minister in Japan, dated December 19, 1869, assenting on part of
Japanese government to adoption of original convention.
- No. 18. Copy of municipal convention for Yokohana adopted in year
1867.
This, your excellency, comprises in my opinion a complete list of the
documents requested by you, which I trust will prove acceptable, and I
beg you to command any such further matter as you may desire.
I have the honor to remain, sir, your most obedient servant,
His Excellency Aurelio G. y
Garcia,
Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Peru in
Japan.
[Inclosure 10.—Translation.]
Minister of foreign affairs of
Peru to Mr. De
Long.
Foreign
Office, Lima, November 8,
1872.
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s letter,
dated 19th of August last, in which, after calling my attention to a
correspondence previously addressed to this department which did not
come to my cognizance, you speak of the
[Page 581]
ncidents that occurred at your post in connection
with the ships Cayatte and Maria Luz.
Awaiting further communication from your excellency, particularly with
regard to the latter of the said ships, and rendering you the fullest
thanks for your officious intervention in favor of the affairs of Peru,
I have the honor, &c., &c.,
To Hon. C. E. De
Long,
United States
Minister, in Japan.
[Inclosure 11.—Translation.]
Peruvian minister for foreign
affairs to Mr. De
Long.
Foreign
Office, Lima, Peru, November 21, 1872.
I have had the honor of receiving your excellency’s important dispatch,
dated 5th of September last, by which you were pleased to make me
acquainted with the proceedings of the kencho against the captain of the
Peruvian ship Maria Luz, inclosing at the same time copies of the
judgment rendered by that tribunal, and of some documents connected with
that affair.
Although there had been received some notice in this department of the
unpleasant incidents that had arisen from the said ship being forced to
cast anchor in the waters of Yokohama, your excellency’s dispatch, by
its zofficial character and the importance accruing to it from your
excellency’s eminent position, was welcome to gratify my government’s
urgent want of learning this affair from authentic and official
data.
While I beg to render my thanks to your excellency for the warm interest
you have taken in the above-mentioned incident, not only in forwarding
us those data, but what is more still, in taking official action toward
the Japanese government with a view to being recognized as Minister of
Peru, I am anxiously waiting for the answer that government will have
made to your excellency’s letter on that subject.
Considering, besides, that there is no reason why the Japanese government
should be prevented from acknowledging your excellency, since the
representation of this country had been recommended to your excellency
long before the Maria Luz affair, my government is very well founded in
anticipating that your excellency will have come in a position to be
able in that emergency of giving the republic the very important support
of your cultivated opinion, of influencing the judgments and resolutions
of the Japanese governments.
At all events, even depending upon the kind support of your excellency
and that of the Government of the United States, by whom the management
of Peruvian affairs was recommended to your excellency, my government
expects that your excellency will soon have an opportunity of
manifesting your friendly interest for Peru. I allude to the
shortly-expected arrival at your port of the Peruvian legation, which
was ready to leave when the news of the Maria Luz affair reached
here.
The main object of the said legation is to enter into relations of amity
and compass treaties of commerce and navigation with China and
Japan.
This mission is absolutely one of peace, and they carry the most
equitable instructions in view of a friendly settlement of the
difficulties which lately arose in Yokohama.
My government have no doubt that your excellency, in accordance with the
previous recommendations of the Government of the United States, will
exert your influence with the Japanese authorities, not only to secure
for the Peruvian legation such a kind reception as they are entitled to
on account of their errand, but also to see that due justice be done
them in the case of the Maria Luz.
It is more than probable that by this time the voice of reason has made
itself heard in the councils of the Japanese government.
Considering the protest of the majority of the consular body against the
decision of the kencho, and the no less legitimate than effective
influence which is morally exercised by the representatives of the
United States on the Japanese government, a mere suggestion (indication)
wall, perhaps, be sufficient to induce them to do us justice. If this be
so to happen, one more motive will be added to those which Peru already
has of being grateful to the United States.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 12.]
Mr. De
Long to Mr. J. de la Riva
Aguero.
United
States Legation,
February 18, 1873.
No. 48.]
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt by last mail of two dispatche from you, dated respectively
November 8, 1872, and November 21, 1872, both relating
[Page 582]
to the dispatch of our legation from Peru
to Japan, and referring to the Maria Luz business.
After carefully perusing them, I concluded that you must desire that I
should indicate the views you entertained in relation to the Maria Luz
matter, and the nature of the instructions relative to that subject
which your embassy would come with.
Thinking it best to give your ideas in your own language, rather than
attempt to set them forth myself, I took your note of the 21st of
November with me to the foreign office, and advised the minister that I
had received two dispatches from Peru; that I was aware that extravagant
reports had been spread, and obtained some credence, to the effect that
Peru proposed to inaugurate hostilities, which belief I thought it my
duty to give him an early opportunity to deny, and at the same time I
felt it to be also a duty to let him know that an adjustment of the
Maria Luz affair was one of the matters of business with which he would
have to deal with this legation; therefore, although not so directed to
do by the government of Peru, yet I felt that your government could have
no objection to my reading to him two passages occurring in your latest
dispatch, which I accordingly did.
The phrases which I read to him are those in which you say: “I allude to
the shortly-expected arrival at your port of the Peruvian legation,
which was ready to leave when the news of the Maria Luz affair reached
here,” and the following:
“The main object of the said legation is to enter into relations of amity
and compass treaties of commerce and navigation with China and Japan.
Their mission is absolutely one of peace, and they bear the most
equitable instructions in view of a friendly settlement of the
difficulty which lately arose in Yokohama.”
For which act of politeness the minister thanked me, but expressed no
other sentiment.
I sometimes fear that you may not be pleased with my action in having
done this, but I assumed the responsibility in order to quiet serious
apprehensions that were arising in the minds of the Japanese; to keep
this Government from becoming biased and imbittered in advance against
your legation, and at the same time to allow them to know that this
matter was one of the things they should propose to arrange.
I sincerely hope I made no mistake by this action.
I thank your excellency for your many kind and flattering assurances.
If my action has been of any benefit to your government or to yourself I
feel amply repaid for any trouble it has caused me by the knowledge that
I have been enabled, to some slight extent, to knit still closer the
ties of friendship which bind my Government to your own, and I assure
your excellency of my ready willingness to still further exert myself in
the furtherance of establishing amicable relations between Peru and
Japan.
I have, &c.,
