Van Valkenburgh to To their Excellencies Date Chieinagong, Higashi Kuse Chiniio, Okuma Sh, May 21, 1869

Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith (inclosure No. 1) translation of an “account of persecutions of native Christians” in the Soto Islands, which was kindly furnished me by the French minister, who received it from the hands of the French Roman Catholic bishop for Japan.

While I do not doubt that the humbler classes of Japanese are frequently subject to ill-treatment, and occasionally to torture, by their two-sworded officials, at places at some distance from any seat of government, I still incline to the opinion expressed in my dispatch No. 30, of the 27th ultimo, and also believe that such persecutions, as far as alleged to be owing to conversions to Christianity, are often exaggerated, it not entirely unfounded.

The Soto Islands, as far as I have been able to ascertain, have never been visited yet by any foreign missionary, and it is difficult to see how the inhabitants, few of whom ever leave their homes, could ever have become converted to the Roman Catholic faith.

I transmit inclosure No. 2. copy of an identical letter addressed by the foreign representative on the subject to the Japanese ministers for foreign affairs, and as soon as their reply shall have been received, a translation will be at once submitted to you.