Mr. Seward to Mr. Portman
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 48, of August 22. The President sees no reason for disapproving your proceedings therein mentioned in regard to the receipt of indemnity money tendered and paid by the Japanese government for the use of the treaty-making western powers. For the present the subject of the disposition of the money is attended here by two difficulties. First, the treaty has not yet been approved by the Senate. Second, we are waiting an understanding with the interested [Page 276] European powers. I hope that these difficulties will be removed in the course of the next month, (December,) within which Congress will have assembled, and I shall look for communications on the subject from the European states which I have addressed.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
A. L. C. Portman, Esq., &c., &c., Yedo.