Itakura Ega No Kami to R. B. Van Valkenburgh, May 15, 1867

[Untitled]

We have received your letter in relation to the balance of the Simoneseki indemnity, which, in accordance with agreement, was expected to be paid on or from the 15th May, 1867.

This matter was referred to the Treasury Department for settlement, and the delay in replying to your letter was caused by our being obliged to wait for the report of that department, which is to the effect that appropriations of large sums of money had to be made, and that it is very difficult to close that account at present. It is further stated to us that the efforts of our government to strengthen the friendly relations with foreign powers to some extent increased the difficulty of procuring the money required.

In view of these circumstances we are, to our great regret, unable to close that account within a brief period, and yet we do not hesitate to invite your kind aid when communicating the present despatch to your government, in consideration of the many proofs we have given, notwithstanding the numerous difficulties by which we are surrounded, of a proper and faithful execution of the treaty, in procuring for us the postponement for a fixed period of the payment of the balance of that indemnity.

Within one year we expect to be able to pay that balance, yet, in order to guard against disappointments, and to render any further application for an extension unnecessary under any circumstances, we request that such extension for the payment aforesaid be granted to us for two years from this date, it being understood, as a matter of course, that we do not object to pay interest on that money if desired.

With respect and esteem,