PORTMAN, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the United States in Japan to Midsuno Idstumi no Kam, December 16, 1865

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I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s letter of yesterday, and in reply to inform you that it is clearly the duty of your government firmly to control all such persons who might attempt by violent means to bring about a rupture of friendly relations between the United States and Japan; and I hereby very respectfully, but at the same time most distinctly, notify your excellency that for any attempt against the life or property of any American citizen in this country the United States will hold the Japanese government to a strict responsibility.

I shall at once communicate your letter to the United States consuls at the open ports for the information of all citizens of the United States in Japan.

With respect and esteem,