PORTMAN, Acting Chargé d’ Affaires in Japan to William H. Seward, April 22, 1866

Mr. Portman to Mr. Seward.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, No. 1, translation of a letter signed by all the members of the Tycoon’s cabinet in the order in which they rank when in council on foreign relations. The object of this communication is to obtain an extension of the payment of three remaining instalments of the Simonoseki indemnity; and the application, you will perceive, is with reference to article 3d of the convention of the 22d of October, 1864, in which it is stated that the object of the treaty powers was not receipt of money, but the establishment of better relations with Japan. This improvement of relations is claimed to have been secured by the Mikado’s sanction to the treaties and by the revision of the tariff, the negotiations for which will, at an early day, no doubt, be brought to a satisfactory termination. To some extent the assertion is quite correct.

In this connection I also transmit, No. 2, translation of a letter from the Yedo minister for foreign affairs, covering copy of a proclamation just issued in “ratification” of the first proclamation issued in 1859, to the effect that all Japanese of the provinces of the Daimios may freely trade with foreigners at the open ports. There is already evidence that the proclamation was publicly made in some of the nearest Daimio’s provinces; yet its practical value remains to be tested.

If the Tycoon’s government had offered a fair equivalent for the concession applied for, or if any equivalent, yet to be tendered, denoted, an adhesion to a permanently liberal and friendly policy, I would not hesitate in such case to recommend this application to your favorable consideration.

I have acknowledged the receipt of the two letters above referred to, and informed the minister for foreign affairs that, in compliance with the desire expressed, their application would be submitted to you.

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

Proclamation.

Be it known that those who may desire for purposes of trade or residence, to resort to the ports of Kanagawa, Nagasaki, Hakodate, as announced by proclamation in the year Hitusi, (1859,) shall be free to do so. Products raised in the dominions of the nobility may be freely transported and sold.

No restriction shall be interposed to the free purchase by whomsoever of steam and sailing vessels for commercial purposes, but arms, munitions, and ships of war can only be purchased after communicating with, and obtaining permission to that effect from, the custom-house, as heretofore.

The foregoing is in ratification of the first proclamation above referred to.