PORTMAN, Chargé d’ Affaires ad interim in Japan to George S. Fisher, September 7, 1865

Mr. Portman to Mr. Fisher

Sir: On the receipt of your letter No. 250, (enclosure No. 1,) of the 14th ultimo, I at once addressed the Gorogio on the subject, and, after several interviews with governors for foreign affairs, I was informed in reply that instructions had again been issued to the governor of Kanagawa to the effect that the trade in silk-worm eggs and cocoons should be as free as the trade in any other article.

Presuming that all cause of complaint for the future has thus been removed, it remains to ascertain the losses sustained by our merchants from this alleged interference in the purchase of silk-worm eggs, and I now have the honor to request you to transmit to me all such bona tide claims, in order that they may be presented to this government for examination without delay.

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