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

Mr. Portman to Mr. Seward

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a memorandum, signed yesterday, acknowledging the receipt from the government of the Tycoon of the sum of five hundred thousand (500,000) dollars, as the first instalment of the indemnity payable under the convention of the 22d October, 1864.

As stated in my despatch No. 48, of the 22d ultimo, this amount has been placed, in equal sums of two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) dollars each, in the chartered Oriental and chartered Mercantile Banks, both at Yokohama, subject to the conjoint order of the four powers represented in the aforesaid convention. * * * * * * * *

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