Bingham to his excellency Terashima Munenori, January 18, 1877

Mr. Bingham to his excellency Terashima Munenori.

Sir: I am in receipt of a communication from Thomas B. Van Buren, esq., the consul-general of the United States at Kanagawa, wherein he informs me of a complaint made to him by a citizen of the United States named Crocker Nye, who claims that certain property belonging to him and other citizens of the United States, and held by them in the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands, has been wrongfully taken and some of it destroyed by Japanese officials. I have the honor to inclose herewith for your excellency’s information a copy of Mr. Nye’s statement and complaint. (See inclosure 2.)

Referring to your excellency’s dispatch to me of date the 7th of Decmber last I observe that your excellency was pleased to say therein that foreigners who have owned and improved lands in the islands for several years shall be secured in their property,, and that no inhabitant of the islands will be molested in his rights.

I trust that your excellency will direct that the citizens of the United States who have been deprived of their property as stated may have the same restored to them and that the spoliation of their lands shall cease.

I have, &c.,