De Long to C. E. De Long , Envoy Extraordinary and, December 24, 1872

No. 249. Mr. De Long to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I have the honor to advise you that by request of the Japanese government I have published a notification advising foreigners that the Japanese may not convey to them any lands, or pledge the title-deeds of such property as collateral security, (inclosure No. 1;) also a notification informing the public that owing to the inexperience of the Japanese employés in the telegraph department this government cannot undertake at present to guarantee certainty or expedition in communicating dispatches. (Inclosure No. 2.)

I beg leave also to advise you that I have this day addressed a note to each United States consular officer in this empire, inclosing a copy of these notifications for the information of our countrymen residing at the several ports.

I have, &c.,

Notification.

American citizens resident in Japan are hereby advised that the Japanese government has issued the following notification to its people, and requested the undersigned to make the same known to his countrymen.

[Copy of translation.]

Every one within the limits of this empire is strictly prohibited from selling any ground to foreigners, although the same may be their property, or to give them the title-deeds of such ground as security for any bargain whatsoever.

Let the above be published through the whole country, so that even among the lower classes no misapprehension may exist.