VAN VALKENBURGH, Minister Resident of the United States in Japan to Their Excellencies the, September 14, 1866

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With reference to your archives, your excellencies will perceive that more than five year ago a letter was transmitted from your government, at your request, through this legation, by the government of the United States to the governments of Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Italy, Spain, and Sweden, to the effect that his Majesty the Tycoon was not then prepared, owing to the state of affairs in this country, to enter into treaty relations with them. The recent conclusion of a treaty with one of those powers, namely, Italy, is a pleasing evidence of the removal of the difficulties set forth in your circular letter; though I must express my regret, while cheerfully acknowledging the progress made by Japan since that letter was written, that after the friendly action of my government above referred to, your excellencies have omitted to inform me officially of the conclusion of your treaty with the kingdom of Italy. As it was at the request of your government that the government of the United States notified the six powers above named that treaties could not be made, now the treaty with Italy having been concluded and the disabilities mentioned in the circular letter having been removed, would it not be expedient for your government, without delay, to request the government of the United States to use its friendly offices with the governments of Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Spain, and Sweden, on your behalf, and announce your desire to enter into treaty relations with them, as international courtesy would seem to require ?

When announcing the conclusion of your treaty with the kingdom of Italy, I shall of course inform my government that the disabilities mentioned in your circular letter of 1861 are removed, and that you are probably prepared to enter into treaty relations with the five other powers, to whom such circular letter was addressed, though I hope that on a careful and prompt consideration of the matter to which your attention is now invited, you will at once enable me to convey to the five powers named the pleasing intelligence of your readiness to conclude treaties with them, in precisely the same manner as adopted by you in 1861, when, through the considerate courtesy of my government, you were enabled to convey to them the unpleasant intelligence that you were not prepared to do so.

With respect and esteem,