Mr. Seward to Mr. Pruyn
Sir: Your several despatches, numbered and dated as follows, have been received: No. 73, November 11; No. 74, November 13; No. 75, November 16; Nos. 76, 77 and 78, dated November 28, and No. 79, dated December 1, 1863.
The course pursued by you at the interview with the three governors sent to you by the Gorogio, as detailed in your No. 74, was very proper, and the result proves it to have been judicious. You are instructed to express to the Gorogio the President’s satisfaction at the withdrawal of the letter of Ogasawara, which had raised a very grave and perilous question.
I have carefully read the correspondence which accompanies your No. 78, on the subject of your return to Yedo, and I fully appreciate the difficulties and danger which surround your position. The resumption of your residence there, even if it were not so important as it is believed to be, ought to be insisted upon; but the question as to the time of your return, in which your own personal safety as well as that of others connected with the legation is involved, is left entirely to your discretion.
The President is gratified to learn that the claim of the owners of the Pembroke has been satisfactorily adjusted. Your offer to settle the case of the Wyoming on the basis named in your No. 76, viz., the provision of annuities for the families of the dead and for the wounded of that vessel is approved, and should it be accepted you will forego further demands on that subject.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Robert H. Pruyn, Esq., Minister Resident in Japan, Yokohama.