PORTMAN, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the United States in Japan to His Majesty the Tycoon of Japan, November 21, 1865

[Untitled]

Sire: The formal declarations of your Majesty’s minister have created the impression that the cause of the difficulties experienced in the proper execution of the treaties may be traced to the opposition made by the Mikado and some Daimios of this empire.

In order to remove this cause, which injuriously affects American interests, and which is fraught with danger for the peace of Japan, your Majesty’s presence at Osacca, near Kioto, has induced me to urge in person the prompt solution of those difficulties.

By approving the obligations entered into by your Majesty with foreign powers, the Mikado and the Daimios will make an end to existing difficulties, and avert future dangers.

And in view of facilitating the execution of the convention of the 22d October, 1864, it has been proposed to your Majesty, in evidence of friendship, that two-thirds of the indemnity stipulated in the said convention would be relinquished on the three following conditions, viz :

1. The sanction to the treaties of the Mikado.

2. The opening of Hiogo and the city of Osacca within a period to be fixed by agreement.

3. The regularization of import duties on a uniform basis.

On the 14th instant your Majesty’s minister stated that ten days would be required for giving an answer to those proposals, and although I had then been here ten days already, their desire was complied with.

Seven of those ten days have elapsed and the intelligence is now received that the minister who was sent to Hiogo to meet the foreign representatives has been dismissed.

In view of a measure so strange and inexplicable I beg respectfully to submit, sire, that it is clearly your Majesty’s duty to settle pending questions.

A good accord between the Mikado, your Majesty and the Daimios will insure pleasant relations between Japan and foreign powers, thus promoting Japanese interests and without in the least affecting Japanese independence.

A misunderstanding between those high governing powers may lead to most deplorable consequences.

Friends as well as enemies should understand that the treaty powers are firmly resolved upon securing the faithful observance of the treaties concluded with your Majesty.

I trust, therefore, that your Majesty, by a conciliatory policy, will succeed in maintaining treaties; at all events notice is hereby respectfully given that on the 24th instant a reply to the proposals made will be expected.

Whether favorable or otherwise is for your Majesty to determine, but the reply should be in writing. If an answer be not forthcoming this will be considered a formal refusal of the proposals made.

With the most profound respect,