Van Valkenburgh to William H. Seward, September 28, 1866

Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.

Sir I have the honor to inform you that on my arrival at Yokohama, on the 12th of August, I found the Italian frigate Magenta in the harbor, whose captain was accredited as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, as I was informed, with full powers to conclude a treaty with Japan. About the 1st of September, I learned from public rumor that a treaty had been concluded with Italy by the Japanese government, and about that time the Italian frigate left the harbor of Yokohama.

On the 14th of this month, having received from the Gorogio no communication relative to this subject, I addressed them a letter calling their attention to the fact that five years ago the Japanese government had desired the then minister of the United States to request his government to notify Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Italy, Spain, and Sweden, that treaties could not then be made, and suggesting that I be informed officially that a treaty had been concluded with Italy, and that the United States government be requested to inform the other fire-powers that the Japanese government was then prepared to enter into treaty relations with them.

Immediately I was called upon by one of the governors of foreign affairs, in order that the matter might be explained. In the course of the conversation he told me that Denmark had applied, through Mr. Van Polsbroeck, H. N. M. political agent and consul general in Japan, to make a treaty with the Japanese government, and that the Hawaiian government had also applied to enter into treaty with Japan, through Mr. E. M. Van Reed, consul general of the Hawaiian islands in Japan.

The governor gave as a reason for not notifying me that they were ready to enter into treaty relations with the five other powers; that the Japanese government was at war, and they desired to defer the treaties until peace should be restored. However, on my explaining to him that courtesy, both to the United States government and from the United States government to the government of these other countries, required such a communication should be sent, he promised to forward it at once, and on the 27th instant I received the enclosed communication, which I have the honor to forward as requested by the Gorbgio.

This government will make treaties with these powers whenever ministers shall arrive properly accredited for that purpose, but they prefer to defer it until peace shall be restored to the empire.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,