Van Valkenburgh to William H. Seward, November 20, 1866

Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward

Sir: In my despatch No. 54, under date of the 5th instant, I informed you that in an interview I had on the 27th ultimo with two of the governors of foreign affairs, I had urged upon them “the importance of permitting their people to purchase of the foreign merchants rice and provisions, and to sanction it by proclamation.” Previous to that time I had held a consultation with Sir Harry S. Parkes, her Britannic Majesty’s envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, upon the same subject, and in pursuance of our arrangement on the 12th instant I addressed to the Gorogio a communication, a copy of which is enclosed, (No. 1,) marked number one.

On the 18th instant I received from the Gorogio a communication, together with a copy of a proclamation issued by them, pursuant to our request, a translation of said communication, and copy I enclose, marked No. 2. The government itself is now engaged in purchasing and importing a quantity of rice for the poorer people, and I have no doubt their wants will soon be supplied.

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

Proclamation.

Having learned that the season’s crop of rice is unfavorable in various localities, our government, in view of the suffering the advanced price of that staple entails upon the humbler classes, intend to purchase supplies of the same in foreign countries.

For the general benefit, therefore, rice may be purchased in foreign countries and sold in Japan, and Japanese are free to procure supplies from foreign merchants.