To His Excellency John A. Bingham to Terashima Munenor, September 6, 1875

Mr. Bingham to Mr. Terashima.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the notification, and the official translation thereof, issued by your excellency’s government, under date of the 30th ultimo, in the matter of the wrongful arrest and detention of the Hon. William A. Richardson and Commander R. F. R. Lewis, United States Navy, and trust that the same, together with your excellency’s letter of the 22d ultimo on the same subject, will be acceptable and satisfactory to my Government.

It gives me pleasure to inclose herewith a copy of the letter of the Hon. Mr. Richardson and Commander Lewis, acknowledging the receipt of the letter addressed to me by your excellency, of date 22d August last, to whom the same was communicated by me in compliance with your excellency’s request. Your excellency will observe that these gentlemen express their entire satisfaction with the action taken by your excellency’s government in the premises.

I deeply regret the appearance of your dispatch of the 22d ultimo in the Japan Herald of Saturday, the 28th ultimo, was made the occasion of the strictures of the editor thereon, which seem to me alike unjust to your excellency’s government and to myself; and allow me to add that I am informed that these strictures are deemed offensive and unjust by Mr. Richardson and Commander Lewis.

Referring to the notification of the 30th ultimo, it is therein declared that “it is hereby directed that instructions be given to those in the duty of the police” to prevent the recurrence of such offensive conduct. May I ask to be specifically informed by a copy thereof what the instructions so ordered to be given are? I doubt not that the instructions so directed to be given are to the effect that the treaty-rights of all foreigners to freely travel within treaty-limits shall be respected hereafter by all Japanese officials and others.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,