Van Valkenburgh to William H. Seward, November 18, 1867

Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward

Sir: Since the establishment by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company of a line of steamers between San Francisco and Hong Kong, touching at Yokohama, and the adoption by the Japanese government of a system of passports by which its subjects are permitted to migrate to foreign countries, many of them have gone to the United States, and the number so travelling is rapidly increasing.

Believing it to be, under the circumstances, for the interest of our own as well as of this government, that a Japanese consul should be appointed at San Francisco, on the 16th of September last I addressed a note upon that subject to the Gorogio, a copy of which I enclose, (No. 1.)

After taking the matter into consideration, they agreed with me in the opinion that such appointment was necessary, and asked me to name an American citizen upon whom they should confer that position. I named to them several, either of whom, I assured them, was competent to perform the duties, and among them Charles Walcott Brooks, esq. This gentleman has been, for the past few years, acting as Japanese commercial agent at that city, had taken charge of some wrecked Japanese sailors and returned them to this country, and had received and attended upon the late Japanese embassy to the United States, while in that city, and had been employed by them in procuring for this government many articles, arms, and ammunition which they desired. They, therefore, knew him favorably, and at once concluded to give to him that appointment.

I know Mr. Brooks to be competent and worthy of the position.

Enclosed (No 2) I send a copy translation of the commission issued to Mr. Brooks, the original of which, by request of Ogasawara Iki No Kami, the minister for foreign affairs, I send by this mail, to him direct, at San Francisco.

Enclosed (No. 3) I send copy translation of a letter from the minister for foreign affairs, directed to me, and accompanying the commission, in which he desires that I shall inform you of the proceedings, and ask that Mr. Brooks may be properly recognized as consul.

This is the first consul ever appointed by the Japanese government, and I believe it is the first commission ever issued to a foreigner.

I trust my action in this matter will meet with the approval of the President and yourself.

I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,