Mr. Harris to Mr.
Seward.
No. 31.]
Legation of the United States in
Japan,
Yedo,
July 15, 1861.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith (No.
1) copy of a letter from J. K. De Witt, esq., Netherlands consul general
in Japan, informing me of his decision not to return to this capital
until further instructed by his government.
I also transmit (No. 2) copy of my reply to the foregoing.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient
servant,
TOWNSEND HARRIS, Minister
Resident.
Hon. Wm. H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington.
[Untitled]
No. 224.]
Consulate General of the
Netherlands in Japan,
Yokohama,
July 10, 1861
Sir: After the attack on the British
legation on the night of the 5th instant, I have the honor to
acquaint you that I have decided not to return to Yedo until I shall
have received further instructions from my government on this
subject.
At the same time, I have the honor to send you a copy of the letter
whereby I have communicated, to the Japanese ministers this my
decision, to which I am led by the same motives which moved me to
leave Yedo temporarily in the beginning of this year.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
Townsend Harris, Esq., Minister Resident of the United States m
Japan.
[Page 802]
[Untitled]
No. 74.]
Legation of the United States in
Japan,
Yedo,
July 11, 1860
[1.]
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter, dated the 10th instant, in which you inform
me that, in consequence of the attack on the British legation in
this city, you had decided not to return to Yedo until you are
further instructed by your government.
You also enclose copy of a letter addressed by you to the Japanese
ministers for foreign affairs, in which you announce to them your
decision not to return here, adding that you are led thereto by the
same motives which induced you to leave Yedo temporarily in the
month of January last.
I return you my thanks for the information you have thus conveyed to
me, and at the same time beg to refer you to the enclosed copy of a
letter addressed to me by the Japanese minister for foreign affairs
on the 4th of June, in wich they inform me of the punishment
inflicted on seven persons for neglect of duty on the night of the
murder of the lamented Mr. Heusken, of this legation.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
TOWNSEND HARRIS, Minister Resident of the
United States in Japan,
His Excellency J. K. De Witt, His Netherlands Majesty’s Consul General in
Japan, Yokohama,
