Itakura Iga No Kami to R. B. Van Valkenburgh, January 28, 1868

[Translation.]

Sir: We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s communication in reply to ours, on the subject of neutrality on the part of your countrymen with reference to our present internal troubles.

We note your excellency’s inquiry therein, and beg to inform you, in answer, that at present there is but one Daimio, Matsdaira Sui No Daibu, against whom the government is in arms. Should, however, others be drawn into the war, we have every confidence in our ability to crush them as well.

We shall be glad to place your excellency in possession of his or their names whenever such shall be the case.

We trust your excellency will give yourself no anxiety on this head, as we have taken every precaution to protect the treaty nations from any danger which might be occasioned through the presect exigency.

We desire at the same time that your excellency will not frequent dangerous places, as far as practicable, for the present.

With great respect and esteem,