DE LONG, Minister Resident of the United States in Japan to Their Excellencies Sawa J usaunei Kiyowara Nobu Yoski, And Teraschima Jüskii Fiyiwara Munenor, January 10, 1870

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I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellencies’ letter of the 30th of the 11th month, and of the 6th of this your 12th month, (7th January,) the latter on yesterday, both relating to the treatment of native Christians in Japan.

In this connection I beg to tender you late intelligence from Nagasaki by inclosing copy of a joint letter dated on Sunday, the 2d instant, addressed by the consuls of the treaty powers to the governor of that port. According to two days’ later intelligence, (namely, the 4th instant,) her Britannic Majesty’s minister then at Nagasaki requested the governor to delay for fifteen days the deportation of not less than the seven hundred of those unfortunate people, (referred to in in closure,) but in reply was informed by the governor that his orders were peremptory, and that he had no alternative but to send them in steamers to distant parts of Japan.

I cannot find terms sufficiently expressive of my profound regret at this occurrence, and can only believe that you are imperfectly aware of the disastrous influence which this measure, if carried out, will not fail to exercise on the relation between Japan and all the treaty powers.

From the introduction of foreign science and of useful improvements for the benefit of the people, modern civilization is now deeply interested in witnessing the effects of Japan under the government of his Majesty the Tenno, to take rank among the foremost powers of the world, and painful will be the impression abroad, and subversive of all feeling of good-will now being created, when it becomes known that Japanese are being punished by deportation or banishment, or in any manner whatever, for professing or pretending to profess religious opinions, in no respect interfering with the duties as citizens or subjects.

The absolute freedom in all matters of religious belief has been and is still a leading element of the ever-increasing power and prosperity of the United States, and nations may be said to prosper in proportion as their governments abstain from interference in matters of conscience.

There can be no friendship without respect: and if the government of Japan now forfeits the latter by inconsiderate steps, its relations with other powers will be considered unsound and untrustworthy. The punishment or coercion of Japanese for religious belief will be deemed to furnish the measure of Japanese civilization, and will be so regarded by all the nations in treaty with Japan.

The loss of respect, I need not point out to your excellencies, will necessarily involve a loss of confidence. It will turn the friendship that now exists into suspicion of the ulterior designs of your government, and may, in the opinion of foreign governments, suggest the expediency of being prepared to guard against contingencies in future dealings with Japan.

While thus submitting in general terms the effects which any ill-considered action of your government in this important matter will produce, I may be permitted to express the hope that the Japanese government will take it into reconsideration, and thus enable my colleagues and myself to officially contradict the impressions which the knowledge of the contemplated treatment of native Christians, as thus far announced, will not fail to create.

With respect and esteem.