Mr. Mutsu to Mr. Blaine.
Washington, May 27, 1889. (Received May 28.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I am just in receipt of an instruction from his Imperial Majesty’s minister for foreign affairs in acknowledgment of the sum of $15,000 appropriated by the Congress of the United States on account of the injuries caused to Japanese subjects [Page 549] by the explosion of shells from the U. S. S. Omaha, and handed by you to me on the 28th of last month.
In acknowledging the receipt of this sum Count Okuma instructs me to express the gratification with which this action is regarded by his Imperial Majesty’s Government, and to say that they value it as another evidence of the spirit of justice and good will which the United States have so often displayed towards Japan.
Accept, etc.,