PRUYN, Minister Resident of the United States in Japan to Their Excellencies Midsuno Idsumi No Kami, Itakura Suwo No Kami, Ogalawara Dsusio No Kam, December 16, 1862

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I have the honor to thank your excellencies for the prompt and friendly services of a ship-of-war despatched by the Japanese government to the scene of the wreck of the American ship Chevalier, and for the efficient aid extended to the shipwrecked officers and seamen by the officers of the province, as well as by the officers from this city.

I am happy to be able to state that no lives were lost on that occasion, and that the crew of the vessel have arrived in safety at Kanagawa.

Colonel Fisher, the American consul, reports to me that the officers of the ship-of-war treated him with courtesy and kindness during the passage; that on his arrival at the wreck he found our countrymen most comfortably accommodated and amply supplied with provisions, and the officers and people of the neighborhood were kind and friendly,

It is highly satisfactory to learn that the same friendship for my country, which I am happy to know animated his Majesty the Tycoon and your excellencies, extends so generally to officers and people of this empire.

The bare fulfilment of treaty obligations cannot of itself create nor increase cordiality between nations. It is the spirit which prompts and accompanies such fulfilment which gives character and force to the act.

The instant information given by the Japanese officers of the wreck, their humane attentions in advance of orders from Yedo, the immediate despatch of a vessel-of-war by your excellencies bearing our consul to the wreck, and the cordial and friendly feeling which marked the conduct of all your officers, show that higher and better, because more humane and friendly, motives than the desire to fulfil treaty obligations influenced your excellencies and all your subordinate officers.

It would gratify me if your excellencies would cause my thanks to be conveyed to the captain of the Tsho-yo-maro and to the chief officer at Tsh-yo-shi.

The President of the United States will receive with great satisfaction the report which it will be my duty and pleasure to make as a proof of the present and a sure promise of the continued existence of a spirit of friendship between the two countries which will, whenever opportunity offers, be manifested in beneficent acts.

With respect and esteem,