PRUYN, Minister Resident of the United States in Japan to Their Excellencies the, June 20, 1862

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The United States consul at Kanagawa has called my attention to an application at the custom-house at that port to admit free of duty certain articles specified in such application, to be used by R. B. Smith, a merchant at said port, solely for preparing and packing tea for exportation.

As the free admission of articles used only for that purpose will greatly increase the sale of tea, and so benefit the government by increasing the amount paid on exportation, it appears unjust to the merchants to demand five per cent. duty, and that the government will, in the end, also sustain a loss.

While your excellencies are taking this subject into consideration, I have to ask that you will at once, and without any delay whatever, direct the officers at Kanagawa to admit the said articles on payment of the duties to the American consul at Kanagawa, to remain in his hands until the subject; is decided by an agreement between your excellencies and the representatives of the treaty powers. This the custom-house authorities have refused to allow, to my great surprise, as I learn that the course proposed has been pursued by the British merchants and consul for more than a year past.

Your immediate attention is requested to this, as great injury is being done by this delay, to Mr. Smith.

I shall be pleased to hear this day that the necessary orders have been given.

With respect and courtesy,