Mr. Seward to Mr. Pruyn
Sir: Lord Lyons has, by direction of Earl Russell, her Britannic Majesty’s principal secretary of state for foreign affairs, submitted to me, for my perusal, in confidence, a copy of the earl’s instructions of the 26th of July to Sir Rutherford Alcock, in relation to the course to be pursued by him at the present moment in regard to the existing troubles in Japan.
The instructions are based on a voluminous correspondence between Sir Rutherford Alcock and his government, in which he has included a note, addressed by you to him on the 13th of May last, in which you fully discussed the Japanese relations towards the western powers.
The sum of Earl Russell’s note is, that his policy concurs with the views which are expressed in your aforementioned note. It may be stated as follows:
1st. To give every encouragement and support to such of the Tycoon’s ministers, and to such of the Daimios as are favorable to foreign trade, and thus lead to the ultimate revoking of the feudal system and of the exclusive theory of Japan.
2d. To make arrangements with the Japanese government for the protection of the foreign settlements at Yokohama.
3d. To keep for the present a strong squadron in the Japanese seas.
4th. To endeavor to establish an understanding with the government of France, the Netherlands, and the United States, with a view to our common interest in Japan.
I have now to inform you that the President approves of the policy thus defined.
In the present condition of our affairs we shall probably find it inconvenient to keep constantly a naval force in the Japanese seas, but we shall endeavor to have some one vessel appear there so often as to make a suitable impression upon the Japanese government.
The substance of this instruction will be made known to her Britannic Majesty’s government.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Robert H. Pruyn, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Kanagawa.