POETMAN, Charge d’Affaires ad interim in Japan to William H. Seward, July 5, 1865

Mr. Portman to Mr. Seward

Sir: Late in the evening of the 3d instant, the day of the arrival of the mail at Kanagawa, I received a message from the Gorogio to the effect that several officers of rank wished to visit me on this day. I was accordingly waited on by the governors for foreign affairs with a numerous suite, who, in the name of his Majesty the Tycoon and his government, came to request me to convey to the President and yourself the sentiments of profound pain with which they had learned the assassination of Mr. Lincoln and the attack on yourself, and also their sincerest wishes for your speedy recovery. I assured these officers that I should not fail to comply with this request at the earliest opportunity.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,