Bingham to John A. Bingham, December 29, 1875

No. 186. Mr. Bingham to Mr. Fish.

Sir: Referring to my No. 293, of date the 18th of November last, inclosing a copy of my communication to the Hon. Mr. Plunkett, secretary of the English legation, in relation to the Bonin Islands and American interests there, I have now the honor to inclose herewith a copy of a dispatch addressed to me by Sir Harry S. Parkes, of date the 27th instant, together with a copy of a report made to him by Mr. Robertson, the British consul at Kanagawa, in answer to my several inquiries made through Mr. Plunkett. (Inclosures Nos. 1 and 2.)

You will observe that the commerce of the islands is but nominal; that American whalers more frequently enter Port Lloyd than the vessels of any other nationality, and that the entire population is but sixty-nine, of whom but four are classed as white persons. According to the report it appears that probably the first resident of those islands was an American citizen, a native of Massachusetts, named Nathaniel Savory, who settled at Port Lloyd in 1830, and who died last year at that place, leaving a widow and six children. Before the dwelling of this family Mr. Robertson, on the day of his arrival, found the American flag floating from a staff, and states that, upon inquiry made by him whether the flag was intended to signify that the family considered themselves under American protection, he was answered in the negative, and that it was displayed on the arrival of vessels, &c., in compliance with the request made by Mr. Savory at the time of his death.

From the report it appears that Benjamin Pease, hitherto considered an American citizen, is dead, probably murdered; that his property is not of great value, and that his nationality is now questioned.

Upon the information furnished I consider that it is not needful at present to inquire further for American citizens or American interests in the Bonin Islands.

I have, &c.,