No. 266.
Mr. De Long to Mr.
Fish
No. 211.]
United States Legation, Yokohama, Japan, July
2, 1871. (Received August 22.)
Sir: I have the honor to advise you that a few days
since I received from the minister for foreign affairs of this empire a note
informing me that, in pursuance of the provisions of the thirteenth article
of the treaty of 1858, that a revision of said treaty would be claimed by
their government. (Inclosure No. 1.)
I at once replied thereto, (inclosure No. 2,) reminding them of my having
served them with a similar notice verbally on the 5th day of May last. I did
so, acting under the belief that our Government would desire to revise the
treaty at that time, but if not, that the notice might be recalled, and no
harm be done by it.
Trusting to your approval, I have, &c.,
No. 1.
[Translation.]
Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs
to Mr. De Long
13th
of the 5th month 4th year of Meidi. (30th
of June, 1871.)
Sir: We beg to state the following to your
excellency, that by the thirteenth article of the treaty of 1858, it is
declared that on the 4th day of July, 1872, or thereafter, the said
treaty may be reconsidered.
As there are some articles which should be reformed by the period
specified, we have the honor to give you the previous notice.
We have the honor, &c.,
His Excellency Chas. E. De Long, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
of the United States.
No. 2.
No. 4.]
United States Legation, Yokohama, Japan,
July 2, 1871.
Your Excellencies: The undersigned, envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States of
America in Japan, begs leave to acknowledge the receipt of your
excellencies’ note of date the 30th of June last, notifying your
intention to “require a revision of the treaty at present existing
between our two governments.”
At the same time the undersigned begs leave to remind your excellencies
of the fact that at an interview, held with you at the foreign office on
the 5th of May last, the undersigned, in behalf of the Government of the
United States, had the honor of giving you a similar notice.
With respect and consideration,
To their Excellencies the Ministers for Foreign
Affairs.
