PRUYN, Minister Resident of the United States in Japan to Their Excellencies the, April 8, 1865

Mr. Pruyn to the Gorogio

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellencies’ letter of the 10th day of the 3d month, (5th instant.)

It announces that the government of his Majesty the Tycoon has, after mature deliberation, decided not to tender Simonoseki, or some other eligible port in the Inland Sea, in lieu of the indemnity, the right of which was reserved by the late convention.

Your excellencies therefore propose to pay the first instalment of the indemnity in the 6th month of the year, the second instalment in the 6th month of next year, and the four remaining instalments at intervals subsequent to the second payment, as provided by conyention.

Sufficient time has not elapsed to enable me to receive instructions on the subject of the convention from my government and to learn its preferences.

I feel assured, however, it would have cheerfully accepted a new port in lieu of all or part of the indemnity, had such been the wish of the Japanese government.

I sincerely hope that the decision which has been made, founded, as it is, on a more intimate knowledge of the commercial and political relations of the several parts of the Empire with each other, may be such as is best calculated to improve the relations with the treaty powers, and to insure internal peace and tranquillity.

Meanwhile I shall transmit to my government a copy of the letter of your excellencies. On the arrival of instructions from our respective governments, the ministers of the four powers will be in a position to take your excellencies’ letter into full and friendly consideration, and give such answer as may be in our power, as to your proposal to extend the payment of the balance of the indemnity.

With respect and esteem,