[Translation.], October 19, 1867

[Translation.]

His Excellency R. B. Van Valkenburgh, Minister Resident of the United States of America :

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 23d of September, in which your excellency gave me some advice relative to the silk fabric in this country, stating that if the manufacture be perfected by adopting the French method, it will not only be an advantage to the commerce with your country, but it will greatly serve the people of Japan.

I have fully understood the statement of your excellency on the subject, and am very grateful to you for the kind advice you have occasionally given me, as silk is the chief product of this country. Among the other articles of export, when its manufacture is perfected, it will be a great benefit to our commerce, and therefore I am anxious to introduce the European method, but there is no one who will undertake the great work of constructing machinery at present.

I hope, however, that the time will soon come when the kind advice of your excellency can be acted upon, as the improvement of the people is much increased by the daily growth of our intercourse with the friendly powers with whom treaties have already been made.

I always feel gratitude for the kind advice of your excellency.

I respectfully request of your excellency to accept my highest consideration.