[Untitled], February 5, 1867

[Untitled]

Their Excellencies,

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs, &c., &c., &c., Yedo:

You have, no doubt, been informed that it is the purpose of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, who own and run the line of large steamers from San Francisco to Japan and China, to connect Yokohama by a line of steam vessels, running through the inland sea, touching at Nagasaki, and thus to Shanghae. In order to enable them properly and expeditiously to make the trip it will be necessary for the company to erect a wharf or pier at Nagasaki, reaching from the shore into deep water, so that the steam vessels may come alongside of it; loading and discharging without the use of lighters or boats. They also desire to erect a large bonded warehouse, from and into which goods can only be taken or removed after they shall have properly passed the custom-house. I need hardly say to your excellencies that such a line would add much to the commercial prosperity of Japan, and should be encouraged by the government.

The wharf proposed to be built would not interfere with the navigation or safety of the harbor, but on the contrary would render it more safe and convenient.

I have the honor herewith to transmit to your excellencies a copy of a communication addressed to me by Captain S. Ledyard Phelps upon this subject. He is the agent of this company at Hong Kong.

I trust your excellencies will give to this application that consideration which its importance demands, and inform me of your favorable conclusion at an early date.

With respect and esteem,