PRUYN, Minister Resident of the United States of America in Japan to Their Excellencies Wakisaka Nakatsaka no Tayu, Midsuno Idsumi no Kami, Itakura Suwo no Kam, June 27, 1862

Mr. Pruyn to the ministers of foreign affairs

It is but a few days since I had the pleasure of congratulating the Japanese government and the British minister, by direction of the President of the United States, on the punishment of two more of the assailants on the British legation, in the month of July, 1861.

It is with astonishment and pain that I now learn from Lieut. Colonel Neale, her Britannic Majesty’s chargé d’affaires, the particulars of another assault at midnight on the British legation, which has resulted in the death of two British soldiers, who lost their lives in his defence, at the very door of his bedchamber. Either by the negligence or connivance of the numerous Japanese guards around the legation, the assailants passed through their lines to make the assault, and escaped unmolested.

The attack on the legation in 1861 had one redeeming feature: several of the Japanese guard on that occasion sealed with their blood their fidelity to their trust. I am sorry to learn from Colonel Neale, that, on this occasion, no evidence either of fidelity or courage was given. The only guard known to be vigilant basely fled.

It must be expected that so great and powerful a country as Great Britain, distinguished for the high regard which, in common with the civilized powers of the world, it pays to the safety of the lives and property upon all who rely upon its protection, and especially to the sanctity thrown around all diplomatic representatives accredited to her Britannic Majesty, will view this transaction with grave displeasure, and demand signal and ample atonement.

The President of the United States, as the sincere friend of the Japanese government, will be deeply grieved when informed of this new outrage. In advance of the instructions which he may give me, I deem it proper to say, in presence of the serious case now presented, that whatever else may be done or required, the Japanese government should act with the utmost possible promptitude and vigor in the arrest and punishment of the guilty participators in this outrage, and all their aiders and abettors. The repetition of these attacks will degrade Japan in the opinion of the whole civilized world; and it is for the government now to show whether it has the disposition and the power to save itself from the disgrace which will otherwise attach to the country.

With respect and courtesy,