PRUYN, Minister Resident of the United States in Japan to Their Excellencies the, June 21, 1862

[Untitled]

I called your attention, yesterday, to articles imported by Mr. R. B. Smith, to be used solely for preparing tea for export, and which is claimed should be admitted free of duty.

I have, this morning, a letter from our consul at Kanagawa, stating that the officials at the custom-house there say that the reason why British merchants are allowed to take such articles on payment of the duties to the British consul, was because he made “threats, while they expected better things from the Americans.”

You will see the necessity of putting our citizens on the same footing as British merchants. I must insist on this. If I am unable, by appeals to your justice, to get what is right, how can I satisfy the reasonable expectations of our merchants, whose interests I am bound to protect?

I have written several letters to you, to which I have received no reply. I wish attention given first and at once to this matter. I shall be compelled to ask that Mr. Smith be indemnified for the loss he has sustained by the refusal to place him on the same footing as British merchants are placed.

With respect and courtesy,