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  4. Document 411

No. 409.
Mr. Bingham to Mr. Fish.

United States Legation, Japan,
Yokohama, October 20, 1873. (Received November 20.)
No. 7.]

Sir: I am informed by Mr. Soyeshima Taneomi, late minister for foreign affairs of Japan, of his nomination to be “gaimu sosai,” or superintendent of foreign affairs. The change which this notice implies is only a nominal one, involving merely a difference of title. Mr. Soyeshima has been appointed to be of the “saugi,” or privy council; and while he will still exercise the functions of minister, he cannot, under the law of Japan, retain the title of the office.

I am, &c.,

JNO. A. BINGHAM.