No. 408.
Mr. Bingham to Mr. Fish.

No. 3.]

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I was this day admitted to audience, in his imperial palace, by His Majesty the Tenno of Japan, accompanied by Mr. De Long, whose personal kindness toward me I take this occasion to acknowledge. Mr. De Long made a farewell address to His Majesty, to which His Majesty responded. After which Mr. De Long introduced me to His Majesty whom I addressed, and who responded in the kindest terms. After I had delivered to him my sealed letter of credence, His Majesty received me, I am gratified to say, without throne or other symbol of imperial power, thereby recognizing, as I trust, the equality of all men before the law.

* * * * * * *

Appended hereto are copies of my address to His Majesty and of his reply.

I am, &c.,

JNO. A BINGHAM.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 3.]

Mr. Bingham’s address to His Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty has already been advised, through Your Majesty’s illustrious minister of foreign affairs, that I have been appointed and commissioned envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America to reside near Your Majesty’s government. Obedient to the instructions of my government, and to my own sense of duty as well, it shall be my endeavor by good offices to strengthen, so far as I may be able, the friendship now happily subsisting between Your Majesty’s government and my own, and to advance the interests of both. It is a pleasure to me to say that I but obey the instructions of the President who commissioned me when I assure Your Majesty that you have the good-will of the President and of the United States of America, and their best wishes for the prosperity of Your Majesty and of the people of Japan. The people whom I represent are not unmindful of the trust and confidence uniformly manifested by Your Majesty’s government toward the government and citizens of the United States. Thanking Your Majesty for the distinguished consideration shown me, and sincerely desiring that this growing empire of the East may continue to advance with the advancing civilization of the age, I have the honor to place in Your Majesty’s hands my letter of credence, signed by the President and authenticated by the great seal of the United States of America.

[Page 652]
[Inclosure 2 in No. 3.]

His Imperial Majesty’s reply to Mr. Bingham.

We are most happy to receive this letter from the President of the United States’ announcing to us that yon have been selected and commissioned envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary accredited to this court.

We have full confidence that in fulfilling the functions intrusted to you, you will use your best endeavors, guided by experience, fidelity, and probity, to increase friendship between both nations and to advance our mutual interests.

Our ardent wishes and hopes are that your country may continuously be in peace and prosperity.