Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part III

[Telegram.]

Mr. Pruyn to Mr. Seward

No. 46.]

Legation of the United States in Japan, Kanagawa, July 6, 1864.

Sir: At a joint meeting of the ministers of the treaty powers, held yesterday, it was determined, on the failure of the government within 20 days to do so, to open the inland sea, now closed, even to Japanese commerce with Nagasaki, by Nagato.

The British will have 15 ships-of-war, the Dutch 4, and the French 3, the United States only the Jamestown.

I most respectfully ask for steamers, which, though they will not arrive in time for these movements, may and probably will be necessary for the protection of commercial interests.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

ROBERT H. PRUYN, Minister Resident in Japan.

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