De Long to Translated by interpreter United States legation, Japan, from the Japanese copy, June 6, 1873
No. 260. Mr. De Long to Mr. Fish.
June 6, 1873. (Received July 5.)
No. 423.]
Sir: Having learned a few days since that the treaty heretofore negotiated between Japan and China had been ratified, I made inquiries at the foreign office to know if this was true. I was told that it was. I then requested to be supplied with a copy of the same. This was promised, but at the same time I was told that it was reported that some slight changes had been made in the draft of the treaty, of which particular notice as yet had not reached this government.
Accordingly I was furnished with a copy of the original treaty, a translation of which I have just obtained from Mr. Rice, and herewith forward. (Inclosure No. 1.)
Of course it will not be safe to act upon this officially, but as I have no doubt that it is nearly as the ratified treaty will prove to be, I send it early for information, begging leave to observe that, should the treaty that is ratified prove similar, I think several questions between ourselves and the Japanese are thereby settled; for instance, the right to travel freely throughout the empire. The right to circulate our literature freely, &c., must, it seems to me, flow to us as of right under the most favored nation clause. To get your opinion and instructions speedily upon these points is much desired.
I am, &c.,