Office of the Historian

Mr. Pruyn to Mr. Seward.

No. 11.]
Legation of the United States in Japan, Kanagawa, March 9, 1865.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches Nos. 76, 79, 84, 85, and 86, dated October 7th, October 10th, November 7th, December 6th, and December 14th, respectively, all of 1864.

Your despatch No. 86 acknowledges the receipt of my despatch No. 93, of the date of October 10th, but I have written no letter of that date or number, and am therefore uncertain whether you refer to my No. 57 of September 3d, or to my No. 62 of October 12th, neither of which has been otherwise acknowledged, and both of which contain numerous enclosures.

I am highly gratified that the President has been pleased to continue his approval of my official course.

I indulge the hope that the gunboat Fusiyama was allowed to leave so soon [Page 677] as the President received information of the conclusion of the convention. The other powers appear to regulate their conduct on the fact that peace now prevails. Every British mail steamer which arrives brings cases of rifles. The officers and men of the French navy have recently been engaged in thoroughly repairing the Japanese steamer Yangtse, and are now preparing to put in operation for the Japanese government a machine shop, and a lot of land in this place has been turned over to the French authorities in acknowledgment for said services. The keel of a frigate to be built for this government has been laid in Holland. British steamers have recently been sold to this government, and an agent of the same is now in Europe authorized to contract for iron-clads.

It would be impossible for me at this time to prepare a statement of the loss which this government would sustain by the non-delivery of the ship. As most of the funds are now in United States currency, all of which was taken before the present heavy depreciation took place, the loss will necessarily be heavy, unless, as I hope and believe, a speedy change for the better shall take place.

But I cannot doubt that in view of the great friendship which has prevailed between the two countries the ship will be delivered and loss thereby avoided.

Without doubting the wisdom of the President’s order, I am sure he will pardon my expressing the hope and desire that he will now hasten her departure, if it has not already taken place. To this course none of the treaty powers can justly take exception, and it will greatly strengthen amicable relations with Japan.

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

ROBERT H. PRUYN.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

Mr. Pruyn to Mr. Weed and Mr. Lansing.

United States Legation in Japan, March 15, 1865.

Gentlemen: If the Fusiyama has not left, you will please spare no effort to effect its clearance.

When the President shall learn of the amicable settlement of all difficulties with the treaty powers, it appears to me that he will not fail to authorize its departure.

Within the past few months several ships have been sold and delivered to this government or to Daimios; the keel of a frigate has been laid in Holland for this government. An agent is now in Europe with funds and authority to order iron-clads. French officers and seamen are now repairing a Japanese government steamer, and are to put up machinery on shore for a machine shop at this place. Citizens of Switzerland and subjects of all the European powers are selling rifles and guns. Every mail steamer which arrives brings numerous cases. A large market for our mechanics will be closed in this country when our war closes, by reason of the foothold others are now gaining. I am quite sure a preference will be given to our country if we are allowed to compete.

While I must believe the President’s course has been wise thus far, I hope I may be allowed to say I cannot see why there should be longer delay or further hesitation.

It is impossible, as you are aware, in view of large commissions paid and depreciation of our currency, to get the funds back to this country without heavy loss. But a heavier blow will be struck by the loss of prestige we will sustain, as the Japanese government meets with no interference from or by any other government.

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Should any reprensentations you make fail of success, you will await instructions as to funds and ships, as I will fully learn the wishes of this government before I avail myself of my leave of absence.

I hope the next mail will bring intelligence that the steamer has cleared. But if not, that it will be allowed to leave without much or any further delay.

No country has any unsettled demand on this

I am very truly yours, &c., &c.,

ROBERT H. PRUYN.

Messrs. Thurlow Weed and Chas. B. Lansing, &c., &c.