A Bingham to Terashima Munenori, November 26, 1877

Mr Bingham to Mr. Terashima.

Sir: In June last I received from Rear-Admiral William Reynolds, U. S. N., then commanding the United States naval force on the Asiatic station, a communication, in which he advised me of the need of a harbor-master in the port of Yokohama, and also the need of port regulations in that harbor.

Soon after the receipt of this communication I called at the foreign office to confer with your excellency on the subject, but not having the good fortune to meet you, I made known to Mr. Ishibashi the object of my visit, and suggested to him that he should bring the matter to your excellency’s attention, and that also through the Japanese consul at Hong Kong a copy of the harbor regulations.

Having heard nothing on the subject, I now beg leave to suggest for your excellency’s consideration the need of a harbor-master for the port of Yokohama, and the adoption of suitable harbor regulations by His Majesty’s Government.

In my opinion the appointment of a harbor-master and the adoption of harbor regulations for that port rest exclusively with your excellency’s government; but allow me to add that it is alike needful to the interests of your excellency’s government and to the safety of foreign vessels coming into that port that a harbor-master he appointed, and also that suitable regulations be adopted and promulgated.

I have, &c.,