Ikeda Tsikoego No-kami to P. S.—It is requested that the sealed letter herewith be sent to the, June 1, 1864

Japanese Ambassadors to Mr. Dayton

To his excellency the Minister of the United States of America in France:

We have to make to you the following communication:

In the Magrato country of Japan was committed the unlawful act of firing cannon into an American ship, which caused great regret on account of the amicable relations of the two countries.

By the express order of his majesty the Taicoon of Japan to apologize for this act, and to enter into negotiations as to the steps to be taken in order to quiet the revolutionary sentiment of the Japanese people, we left Japan in our twelfth month of the last year (in Europe, February, 1864) with the view of obtaining, upon arriving in the capital of the United States of America, an audience of his excellency the President, and of having an interview with the minister of foreign affairs, and now we are here at Paris, capital of France.

We have now an important matter to set before our government, and we are obliged to return from here to Japan, but, in conformity to the order which will be given later by our government, it is possible that we will return to Europe, and that we will reach your country. It is desirable that you should understand this, whilst we will communicate the details in writing to the minister of foreign affairs of the United States of America.

Set forth with respect and consideration.