Mr. Seward to Mr. Pruyn.
Sir: Mr. Harris’s despatch of July 15 (No. 31) has been received. It announces to us that the consul general of the Netherlands, then at Yokahama, in consequence of the late attack upon the British legation at Yedo, had determined [Page 820] not to return there until further instructed by his government. It is, of course, for his government to pronounce upon the wisdom of that course; but we are at liberty to express our regret that the interests of the western nations in Japan have lost the advantage of the presence of a representative of so respected a power in Yedo.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Robert H. Pruyn, Esq., &c., &c., &c.