BLAKELY CREIGHTON, Senior United States Naval Officer, Hiogo to R. B. Van Vankenburgh, February 6, 1868

[Untitled]

Sir: In reply to your communication of the 5th, I have the honor to communicate the following, which is a true copy:

“Hiogo, February 5, 1868.

“The commanding officer of the naval force at Kobé, in reply to the communication received from the foreign ministers here present as to what part of the foreign settlement at this place they can undertake to hold, beg to state that under present circumstances they will undertake to hold that part of the settlement from the gate in the main street to the concession, it being understood that no armed Japanese are allowed to pass through that part; but that, should a regularly organized attack be brought against us with very large bodies of troops, they could not undertake to hold more than the concession grounds.

“CHANDOS S. STANHOPE, “Captain of her Majesty’s Steamer Ocean.

“ARNET, “Captain de Laplace.

“J. BLAKELY CREIGHTON, “Commander of United States Steamer Oneida.

“EARL ENGLISH, “Commander of United States Steamer Iroquois.”

Very respectfully yours,