Office of the Historian

Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward

No. 28.]
Legation of the United States in Japan, Yedo, May 23, 1867.

Sir: The business relating to the approaching opening of the two ports and cities being terminated, as I had already the honor to report, to the entire satisfaction of my colleagues and myself, I determined upon returning to this place in order to hasten the arrangements necessary to be taken for the accommodation of Americans on the date fixed for its opening, and to be thus enabled at the earliest day to visit the west coast for the purpose of selecting, in concert with my colleagues, the port to be opened in case, on further examination, Neeëgata should be found unsuitable.

The Gorogio, members of the second council, and other high dignitares dined with me at the legation on the 18th instant, and this necessarily delayed me one day.

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On the same day I announced my departure, and I now transmit No. 1, copy of my letter to that effect; and on Monday, the 20th, I accordingly left Osacca in the Shenandoah, and arrived here yesterday.

The French minister had left four days previous on a visit to Nagasaki, and the British minister on that day proceeded overland to Tswruga bay, reported to be a good harbor on the west coast, at a distance of about 80 miles from Osacca.

Immediately on his return to the latter place, it is his intention to return to Yedo.

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

R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH.

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

Mr. Van Valkenburgh to the Minister for Foreign Affairs

No. 46.]
Legation of the United States in Japan, Osacca, May 18, 1867.

I have the honor to inform your excellencies that I shall leave for Yedo on the day after to-morrow.

The promptness and liberality with which your government have carried out their engagements in relation to the approaching opening of the two ports and cities, the many civilities shown not only to myself but also to the civil and naval officers who accompanied me, and particularly the courteous manner in which they were extended on all occasions, have made my visit to this place one of unmingled satisfaction, and inspired me with perfect confidence for the future.

I now beg to request your excellencies on my behalf to tender to his Majesty the Tycoon and to accept for yourselves my sincere thanks for all those courtesies, together with the assurance that I shall not fail to properly represent them to my government, by which they will be duly appreciated.

With respect and esteem,

R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Minister Resident of the United States in Japan.

Their Excellencies the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Yedo.