[Untitled], December 2, 1862.

[Untitled]

My Dear Colleague: Among the information which reached me last evening in regard to the recent wrecking of an American ship on the coast of the province Hitals, I notice an announcement that the Japanese government, when placing at your disposal, on the 30th of this month, (ultimo,) the steamer which conveyed the consul of the United States to the place of the wreck, deemed proper to take certain precautions indicating doubt of the friendly disposition of the inhabitants of that province towards foreigners.

Though by reading the last number of the newspaper, the Japan Herald, I learned to my great surprise that Mr. George S. Fisher, at a recent consular meeting on the subject of the wreck of the Dutch brig Guinea, had thought proper to direct attacks against me, which are said to have been rather sharp, (I do not yet know the wording and the motives,) yet I would not, for such a question, the solution of which, if required, may be arrived at in the usual diplomatic way, fail in the duties prescribed to me as well by the cordial relations which unite our respective governments as by the feeling of solidarity, which in this country should unite all the members of the great western family.

In order thus to fulfil this duty in a manner so as to avoid all erroneous interpretation of the feeling inspiring me on this occasion, I have the honor to inform your excellency that I am prepared, in the absence of a ship-of-war of the United States in these waters, to send to the place of the wreck his Imperial Majesty’s ship the Duplex with the mission to inquire into the state of affairs on the spot, and to assure the authorities and citizens of the United States of such protection as they may be in need of.

In case your excellency accept my proposition, I would request you to write a few lines to the consul of the United States for the purpose of giving this agent to understand that the mission of the Duplex has no other object than personal protection, and that it should not be taken as an intention of meddling in any manner whatever with the special matter of the wreck of the American ship, a question, the direction of which, according to French law, pertains exclusively to the consul of the wrecked vessel’s nationality.

I despatch a special messenger to your excellency in order to receive more promptly your answer and the letter which the Duplex, if she has to go to the spot, will take to the consul of the United States.

I have the honor to be, my dear colleague, your excellency’s most obedient, humble servant,