TERASHIMA MUNENORI, His Imperial Japanese Majesty’s Minister for Foreign Affairs to J. A. Bingham , Envoy Extraordinary and, September 25, 1874
Mr. Terashima to Mr. Bingham.
Your Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s note of the 7th instant, asking me, on behalf of Professor Davidson and eight other astronomers sent hither by your Government to observe the transit of Venus in December next, for a pass to visit, without limitation of locality, any portion of Japan, and to select and temporarily occupy a place suitable for their purpose.
In reply I beg herewith to inclose the pass for these gentlemen. Availing of this favorable opportunity my government will appoint some officers to accompany these gentlemen for the purpose of obtaining astronomical information, and I sincerely request that these gentlemen take the trouble of explaining such matters, as our officers so appointed will travel in company with the gentlemen, and make everything as convenient for them in their journey as possible.
Hoping your excellency will be pleased to convey what is said above to Professor Davidson and the other gentlemen,
With respect and consideration,
His Imperial Japanese Majesty’s Minister for Foreign Affairs.
His Excellency J. A. Bingham, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States.