Mr. Seward to Mr. Pruyn
Sir: Your despatches Nos. 13, 14, 15, and 16, all of them dated the 30th of January last, have been received.
Your proceedings with reference to the convention for the reduction of duties, a copy of which accompanied your No. 12, are approved. By the next mail I hope to be able to send you, as you request, the printed rules of the Treasury Department for the regulation of bonded warehouses.
I have communicated so much of your No. 14 as relates to the exchange of the ratifications of the treaty between Prussia and Japan to Baron Von Gerolt. We do not attach any importance to the charge made by Baron Rehfus, the Prussian consul general in China, that you have been using your influence to delay the negotiations between his government and that of the Tycoon. It no doubt had its origin in the cause you suggest, and we have entire confidence in your ability to vindicate yourself. No complaints of the kind have been preferred against you here.
It is sincerely hoped that the meeting at Kioto between the Tycoon and the Mikado, to which reference is made in your despatch No. 16, will result in the establishment of a more cordial understanding between them, and lead to a more favorable foreign policy.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Robert H. Pruyn, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Kanagawa.