Mr. Coombs to Mr.
Foster.
Legation of
the United States,
Tokio,
Japan, November 26, 1892. (Received
December 19.)
No. 58.]
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your instruction No. 32, of date September 27, 1892, authorizing me to draw
upon the Secretary of State for the sum of $350 as a gift to the villagers
of Shiwaki-ura, Tokushima prefecture, Japan, who were instrumental in saving
the lives of the crew of the ill-fated American vessel North American.
I had the honor to transmit such draft to his excellency, Mutsu Munemitsu,
His Imperial Japanese Majesty’s minister for foreign affairs, with a note to
him, No. 20, of date the 16th instant.
I have the honor to inclose herewith copy of the reply of his excellency, to
my note which, in itself, forms a complete record to date in the matter.
When the final distribution of the money is made and the names of those
villagers most conspicuous in the rescue and entitled to medals are
ascertained I shall transmit the correspondence relative to the same.
I have, etc.,
[Page 388]
[Inclosure in No.
40.—Translation.]
Mr. Mutsu Munemitsu
to Mr. Coombs.
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Tokio, the 22d day, the 11th month, the 25th year of
Meiji (November 22,
1892).
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your excellency’s note No. 18, of the 7th instant, wherein
you are good enough to communicate to me a copy of instruction No. 32,
from the honorable Secretary of State of the United States, dated the
27th September last, in regard to the distribution of $350 among the
villagers of Shiwaki-ura, Tokushima prefecture, in recognition of their
services in rescuing the crew of the ill-fated American merchant vessel
North American, and also the receipt of your
note No. 20, of the 16th instant, inclosing a draft for $350 in United
States gold coin.
In conveying to the governor of Tokushima prefecture the purport of your
note of the 7th instant, I have directed him to determine, in
consultation with the chief of the village of Shiwaki-ura, and the
villagers concerned in the rescue, the mode of applying the money
granted by the United States Government for such purpose as may be
deemed most beneficial to the villagers.
Having also instructed the governor of Tokushima prefecture to report to
me the names of those villagers most conspicuous for their services on
the occasion, I will communicate to you the desired information as soon
as it is received from the governor.
I avail, etc.,
Mutsu Munemitsu,
Minister of Foreign
Affairs.
