Mr. Coombs to Mr.
Foster.
Legation of
the United States,
Tokyo,
Japan, December 27, 1892. (Received
January 18, 1893.)
No. 70.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith final
correspondence pertaining to the rescue of the crew of the merchant vessel
North American, showing the disposition of the
money and the names of those persons ascertained to have been most
conspicuous for their services in the rescue.
Considering the wise manner of investing the gift and the friendly motive
evidenced by making it an enduring monument to the recognition and
appreciation of the people of the United States, I have the honor to suggest
that should Congress appropriate a sum to be added to this it would more
substantially contribute to the future welfare of these people, as well as
to carry out their motives, and more permanently serve as an incentive in
the future for the Japanese along the coast, and especially during that part
of the season when frequent and violent storms render navigation hazardous,
to aid those American seamen who by chance are driven upon these shores.
I have, etc,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
70—Translation.]
Mr. Mutsu Munemitsu
to Mr. Coombs.
Department for Foreign Affairs,
Tokyo, the 23d day, the 12th month, the 25th year of
Meiji (December 23,
1892).
Sir: In my note of November 22 last I had the
honor to acquaint your excellency with the action taken, with a view to
determine the mode of applying the money granted by the United States
Government to the villagers of Shiwaki-ura, Tokushima prefecture in
recognition of their services in rescuing the crew of the American
[Page 390]
vessel North
American, which was wrecked in July last, and also to ascertain
the names of those villagers most conspicuous for their services on that
occasion.
I am now in receipt of a report from the governor of Tokushima Prefecture
to the effect that, having held a consultation in accordance with my
instructions with the chief of the village and the villagers concerned
in the rescue as to the mode of applying the money, they submitted the
proposal, as shown in the report, copy of which is inclosed, that the
money, instead of being distributed among the villagers concerned,
should be preserved and invested as a fund to purchase fishing boats and
implements for all the villagers, in order to perpetuate the good will
shown by the United States Government, and that the governor approved
this proposal and directed the necessary steps to be taken in carrying
it out.
The inclosed report also contains the full particulars as to those most
conspicuous for the services rendered in connection with the rescue.
In communicating to your excellency the above information I beg to
express, on behalf of the Imperial Government and the persons concerned
the most sincere thanks for the goodwill manifested by the United States
Government, and to request that you will convey to your Government the
expression of the thanks.
I avail, etc.,
Mutsu Munemitsu,
Minister for Foreign
Affairs.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
70—Translation.]
Report on the mode of applying the money granted for
the rescue of the crew of the wrecked American vessel, and a list of
the persons most conspicuous for their services on the
occasion.
His Excellency
Seki Yoshiomi,
Governor
of Tokushima Prefecture:
Sir: Having consulted with the chief of the
village of Shiwaki-ura, commune of Nikita, in this district, in
accordance with your instruction No. 1456, relative to the inquiry into
the mode of distributing among the villagers the sum of $350 in United
States gold coin, granted through the United States minister in Japan in
recognition of their services in rescuing the crew of the North American, an American merchant vessel which
drifted to the coast of the said village, we beg to state that in regard
to the mode of applying the money it is proposed, as shown in the
annexed document, to enter into an agreement making the money a common
property of the village of Shiwakiura.
The annexed document also gives information as to the persons most
conspicuous for their services.
We are, your most obedient servants,
- Matsuoka Hitsuju,
Chief of Unbe District, Tokushima
Prefecture.
- Takata Naoye,
Police Inspector, Chief of the Unbe Police
Station.
The 6th day, the 12th month, the 25th year of
Meiji—December 6, 1892.
Mode of applying the money granted in recognition of
services.
While it may appear proper that the money granted by the U. S. Government
should be distributed among the persons concerned in the rescue to
assist them in the purchase of fishing boats or implements, or other
necessary articles for their individual occupations, it would be a
matter of regret that in that case the good will of the U. S. Government
will be remembered no longer than these implements and articles continue
in use, and, therefore, it is desirable that the money, instead of being
distributed among the persons concerned should be preserved and invested
as a fund for the purchase of fishing boats and implements for the
villagers of Shiwaki-ura in general, so as to perpetuate the memory of
the good will of the U. S. Government, and that the fund should be under
the control of the chief of the village in order to prevent its
misapplication.
Persons most conspicuous for their services in the rescue:
Matsuda Masutaro Heimiu, of the village of Shiwakiura, commune of Mikita,
Unbe district; Matsuda Kankichi, do.; Hamamoto Kanetaro, do.
When the wrecked vessel in drifting to the coast of Shiwaki-ura could not
reach the shore on account of its bottom touching a sunken rock, a plank
fastened to a
[Page 391]
rope was thrown
from the vessel in the direction of the shore, hut the violent waves,
breaking against the rocks, failed to carry the rope to the shore, and
at this juncture the 3 men above named jumped into the sea, at peril of
their own lives, and took hold of the rope. This was the first and most
effectual action in carrying out the work of rescuing the lives of 22
men.
Taniwaki Isokichi and Oshikami Matsuzo, from the same village as the
foregoing.
These men, at the risk of their own lives, rescued a man named Hota
Hachiku, who fell into the sea while pulling the rope in landing the
crew of the vessel, and was in imminent danger of being drowned, owing
to the violence of the waves.
Yoshida Shimajiro and Matsumoto Zenzaburo, from the same village as the
foregoing.
These 2 men, who first observed the wreck, reported the fact to an
official of the village, and also brought it to the notice of the
villagers, and they were the first to appear at the place of the
accident, where they spared no effort in rescuing the crew.
Murakami Shimpei, chief of the village of Mikita; Miyawaki Toyotaro,
clerk of the village office.
On the receipt of the report above referred to Miyawaki Toyotaro at once
conveyed the information to the chief of the village, and then went to
the place of the accident, where he exerted himself in directing the
action of the men engaged in the rescue of the crew. Murakami Shimpei,
on receipt of the clerk’s report, went at once to the place of the
accident and took part in the rescue of the crew by directing and
supervising the action of the clerk and villagers. He supplied the
survivors with clothes and food, and otherwise used every attention,
which gave them a great satisfaction.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 70.]
Mr. Coombs to Mr.
Mutsu Munemitsu.
Legation of the United States,
Tokio, December 28,
1892.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your excellency’s note No. 46, of date the 23d instant,
transmitting a communication from the governor of Tokushima Prefecture
and his report showing the disposition of the gift of the United States
to the rescuers of the crew of the merchant vessel North American and containing the names of those persons most
conspicuous in the rescue. It affords me much pleasure in noting the
manner of the investment of the money given by the United States and of
the motive in having it made a perpetuity in order that it shall remain
as an evidence of the gratitude of my Government toward those who had
been instrumental in saving the lives and protecting the property of
American citizens.
The Government of the United States will always feel an interest in
seeing this fund devoted to a purpose which will insure the most good to
the beneficiaries and the manner of its distribution will, undoubtedly,
meet with the appreciation of the people of the United States.
I have the honor to request of your excellency that these expressions of
appreciation be conveyed to the governor of Tokushima Prefecture and,
through him, to the local authorities and people of Shiwakiura.
I avail, etc.,
