HORACE CAPRON, Commissioner and Adviser of the Kaitakushi to Kuroda Kiyetaki , Kaitaku Chokuan, April 16, 1875

General Capron to Governor Kuroda.

Dear Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s communication of the 15th instant, with the accompanying articles enumerated in your memorandum, which you are so kind to say are presented to me as a memento of our friendly intercourse during the time of my engagement as the commissioner and adviser of this department of the national government.

It would be an affectation on my part to attempt to disguise the deep sensations which your letter and presents have produced in me, more particularly the flattering manner in which you have spoken of my past services and the benefits which you claim to have been the results of my labors.

I can conceive of no greater honors than have been conferred upon me, both by His Imperial Majesty and your excellency, in this direction, and I assure you that I shall bear back with me to my children and to my Government, with the proudest satisfaction, these evidences of faithful services rendered as one of the pioneers in this work of progress in this nation, which is most anxiously watched by every American citizen.