De Long to P. S. Since writing the foregoing I have received the expected note from the Japanese, August 20, 1873

No. 265. Mr. De Long to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that on the 15th of July last I received a note from the Japanese acting minister for foreign affairs and the minister for Peru, in Japan, requesting me to sell the bark Maria Luz. (Inclosure No. 1.)

To this I replied on the following day consenting to discharge the duty they had requested me to perform. (Inclosure No. 2.)

On the 20th of the same month I addressed those gentlemen another note, (inclosure No. 3,) forwarding copy of a published notice of the sale of said bark, (inclosure No. 4,) also copy of inventory of personal property on board of the vessel to be sold with her. (Inclosure No. 5.)

On the 22d of July I received a note from the Peruvian minister in reply. (Inclosure No. 6.)

On the 6th instant I again addressed a note in duplicate to the two ministers informing them of the sale of the bark, the price obtained, &c., (inclosure No. 7,) inclosing copy of the auctioneer’s account of sales. (Inclosure No. 8.)

Copy of account of Messrs. Walsh, Hall & Co. for keeping the vessel, (inclosure No. 9,) and also copy of draft of bill of sale that it was requested that I should sign. (Inclosure No. 10.)

On the 8th instant I received a reply from the Peruvian minister approving of the account, and requesting me to conclude the business by executing the bill of sale; thanking me for my services, &c. (Inclosure No 11.)

On the 9th instant I received a note of similar import from the Japanese minister. (Inclosure No. 12.) On the 11th instant I settled with the auctioneer and obtained his receipt. (Inclosure No. 13.) Also with Messrs. Walsh, Hall & Co. and obtained their receipt. (Inclosure No. 14.)

Also on the same day I deposited the residue in bank for the benefit of the creditors of the Maria Luz, as per certificate. (Inclosure No. 15.)

On the 12th instant I again addressed the Japanese and Peruvian ministers, advising them of my proceedings, forwarding copies of receipts, &c. (Inclosure No. 16.) On the 15th instant I received a reply from the Peruvian minister, acknowledging receipt of my note and approving of my proceedings. (Inclosure No. 17.)

The reply of the Japanese minister has not yet been received.

In accepting this trust I was actuated solely by a desire to relieve the officials of a subject they could neither handle consistently without the aid of a neutral friend; and in discharging this trust I was extremely cautious to do nothing not first made known to and sanctioned by them; and I also guarded all of my acts that no pecuniary or political responsibility could in any event attach to the Government of the United States; and I sincerely trust that what I have done may meet with your kind approval.

I have, &c.,

inventory of the maria luz.

Ground-tackle.

• 1 bower-anchor.
• 1 bower-anchor.
• 1 stream-anchor.
• 1 bower-chain, 150 fathoms.
• 1 bower-chain, 150 fathoms.
• 1 kedge-anchor.

Compasses, &c.

• 2 brass compasses.
• 1 tell-tale compass.
• 1 brass binnacle.
• 2 brass binnacle lanterns
• 1 telescope.
• 2 28-second glasses.
• 1 14-second alass.
• 4 side lanterns.
• 8 tin lanterns.
• 1 barometer.

Cordage.

• 1 hawser.
• 1 coil 3½-inch manila rope, (new.)
• ¾ coil 3½-inch manila rope.
• ½ coil 2½-inch manila rope.
• 1 bundle hemp twine.
• 5 pieces rattling stuff.
• 1 lot spun yarn.

Sails.

• 2 royals, (new.)
• 1 main-top-gallant staysail.
• 1 flying-jib.
• 1 main-top-gallant sail.
• 1 mainsail.
• 1 fore-top-gallant sail.
• 1 foresail.
• 1 jib.
• 1 mizzen staysail.
• 1 mizzen ton-mast staysail.
• 2 deck-awnings.
• 1 new sail.
• 1 top-mast stunsail, (new.)
• 1 lower stunsail.
• 1 lower fore-topsail.
• 1 lower mainsail.
• 1 upper mainsail.
• 1 upper fore-topsail.
• 1 fore-top-mast staysail.
• 1 main-top-mast staysail.
• 1 mizzen gaff topsail.
• 1 spanker.
• 1 wind-sail.
• 11 old sundry sails.

Colors and signals.

• Sundry signals.

Cabin furniture.

• 1 sofa.
• 1 dining-table.
• 1 kerosene lamp.
• 7 rifles and bayonets.
• 6 chairs.
• 1 looking-glass.
• 1 medicine-chest.
• 2 mattresses.

Pantry.

• 1 cruet-stand.
• 1 sugar-bowl.
• 8 meat-dishes.
• 21 soup-plates.
• 21 dinner-plates. 1
• 18 breakfast-plates.
• 33 wine-glasses.
• 1 decanter.
• 1 gravy-dish.
• 1 gravy-bowl.
• 1 milk-jug.
• 1 jug.
• 3 tumblers.
• 1 cup.
• 2 saucers.
• 5 knives and 5 forks.
• 1 coffee-pot.
• 1 tea-pot.
• 6 tea-spoons.
• 2 table-spoons.
• 2 table-cloths.
• 1 butter-dish.
• 2 fruit-dishes.
• 2 salt-cellars.

Galley.

• 1 cooking-range.
• 1 ladle.
• 2 large forks.
• 1 coffee-mill.
• 1 tureen.
• 6 saucepans.
• 2 frying-pans.
• 1 baking-pan.
• 1 pair scales.
• 7 wood-choppers.

Deck.

• 1 steering-wheel.
• 2 life-buoys.
• 4 iron water-tanks.
• 2 harness casks.
• 1 capstan.
• 5 gratings over hatches.
• 1 wooden winch.
• 1 deck-pump and hose.
• 6 deck-buckets.
• 3 hatch-awnings.

Chinese galley.

• 1 lot cooking utensils.
• 1 lot dippers.
• 100 tin pans.
• 230 tin cups.

Extra.

• Several spare blocks.
• 1 short piece deep-sea line.
• 2¼ bolts canvas, new.
• 4 sheets yellow metal.
• 27 pairs shackles.
• 2 top-gallant masts.
• 2 royal-masts.
• 1 spar.
• 1 pair rigging-screws.
• 3 stone tea-pots.

Boats.

• 1 life-boat.
• 1 brass yoke.
• 1 long-boat.

Stores.

• About 200 sacks rice.
• 2 boxes soda.
• About 6 barrels bread.
• 3 boxes sago.
• 1 box vermicelli.
• 50 boxes fish.
• Part of barrel vinegar.
• Part of barrel lime-juice.
• Part of barrel bean-oil.
• 2 barrels liquid.
• 6 baskets sugar.
• 23 boxes tea.
• 10 dozen China hats.
• 36 barrels salt meat.
• 47 sacks beans and pease.
• 7 boxes tobacco and cigars.
• 7 baskets lime.
• 147 baskets.
• 4 buckets.
• 6 tubs.
• About 7 tubs ducks’ eggs.
• 80 water-casks.
• 5 ship’s scrapers.
• 2 pairs tongs.
• Stone ballast.
• 9 ladders and steps.
• 8 padlocks.
• 1 log-line and reels.
• 2 normans.
• 1 lot Chinese clothes.
• 1 harpoon.
• 1 copper fresh-water pump.
• A complete set of running gear, fore and aft.

Account sales bark Maria Luz, sold by order of his excellency C. E. De Long at public auction by the undersigned on account of the concerned.

Charges.

The Permian bark Maria Luz in account-current with Walsh, Hall & Co.

Bill of sale.

Official number of ship, ——; date of registry, ——. General description of ship, ——Name of ship, Maria Luz; British or foreign built, British; original port of registry, Whitehaven; how propelled, sails; number of decks, two; number of masts, three; rigged, bark; stern, ——; build, Carrel; galleries, none; head, woman’s bust; framework, wood.

Measurements: Length from the fore part of stern, under the bowsprit, to the aft side of the head of the stern-post, 109 feet 2 inches; main breadth, outside of plank, 26 feet 8 inches; depth in hold from tonnage-deck, 18 feet 5 inches.

Tonnage: Tonnage on main tonnage-deck closed in, spaces above tonnage-deck if any space or spaces between decks, ——; poop, ——; round-house, ——; depth in hold from tonnage-deck to ceiling, ——. Total tons, 300.

I, Charles E. De Long, having been authorized by the following official note, to wit:

“To His Excellency C. E. De Long, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States in Japan:

“Yedo, July 14, 1873.

“Excellency: We have the honor to bring to your excellency’s notice the following extracts from the protocol of the agreement made on the 28th of June, 1873, by the undersigned, in representation of Japan and Peru for the submission to His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, of the difference between the two governments growing out of the case of the Maria Luz.

“Whereas the bark Maria Luz, abandoned by her captain, now lies in the harbor of Yokohama in charge of a guardian placed on board of her by the representative of Peru in Japan, the Hon. C. E. De Long, minister of the United States, and with the consent of the Japanese government; and whereas that guardianship has been and is now the cause of daily expense, the undersigned, equally desirous to bring to an end this state of things, have agreed that the ship shall be sold in public auction for the benefit of all parties concerned in the vessel. Both governments declining to receive the proceeds of the sale, such proceeds, after the payment of the expenses of keeping the ship since her abandonment, are to be deposited in a bank of Yokohama, and await such disposition as may be ordered by a competent court or by the arbitrator. We beg in consequence to say that it will be agreeable to the undersigned if your excellency, who, with the consent of the Japanese government, took charge of the vessel in October, 1872, acting for Peruvian interests, will trouble yourself, in view of the condition of the bark not having been modified since, and do us the service to take measures for selling the Maria Luz at such time and in such manner in conformity with the protocol as in your judgment will be likely to obtain the best price, and will dispose of the proceeds less expenses of sale according to the terms of the agreement, it being understood that this action on your part shall in no case be a cause of any responsibility to the Government of the United States or to yourself.

“We have the honor to assure your excellency of our highest and most distinguished onsideration.

“GAIMUSHIO-YU UYENO.

“AURELIO GA. y GARCIA,”

Envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of Peru in Japan did, in pursuance of such request, give directions to C. A. Fletcher & Co. to sell the bark Maria Luz, with all her appurtenances, by public auction, and same having been purchased by L. Haber, esq., a German subject, do now, in consideration of the sum of Mexican dollars seven thousand two hundred and fifty paid to me by said L. Haber, the whole of the shares in the ship above particularly described.

Further, I covenant with the said L. Haber that I have power to transfer in manner aforesaid the said shares, and that the same are free from encumbrances.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this — day of August, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.

Executed by the above in presence of—

C. E. De Long, Dr., to the undersigned:

E. & O. E. Rec’d payment,

$2,245 22/100.

Received from C. E. De Long, United States minister, the sum of twenty-two hundred forty-five dollars twenty-two cents Mexican, being disbursements of Peruvian bark Maria Luz.

[From the Hong-Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.]

Dear Sir: I am in receipt of Messrs. Walsh, Hall & Co.’s check for $4,713.28, which I have placed in current deposit account in trust for the creditors of the Maria Luz.

Yours, faithfully,