[Untitled], the 15th loth of the 12th Month, Meije, ( January 16, 1870.)

[Untitled]

Sirs: We have received your dispatch of the 11th January relative to the measures taken by the authorities of Nagasaki with regard to native Christians, under instructions from our government.

As you are aware, the profession of Christianity has been prohibited in our country from ancient times; but in consequence of the promise we made last year, that those Christians should be treated leniently, they have been left undisturbed at their homes. Every possible advice to change their Christian belief was given them. In return they insulted the deities, thrones, and temples, quarreled with the other inhabitants, and committed various lawless acts.

Should such acts be left unrestrained, the local administration would be embarrassed and our government, having no other means, sent those people to various other places to be educated. Orders were therefore issued to Nagasaki to simply remove them and to inflict no punishment whatever; and after careful consideration it was deemed by our government that this is the most lenient measure that would be adopted.

The particular circumstances, of which we believe you are not well informed, will be communicated at our next interview. In the mean time, we hasten to send the foregoing in reply to your dispatch.

With respect and consideration,