Mr. Seward to Mr. Pruyn.
Sir: Mr. Harris’s despatch of October 14 (No. 40) has been received. It conveys to us the pleasing information that two more of the assassins who were engaged in the attack on the British legation had been detected and had perished; and, further, that Mr. Alcock, the British minister at Yedo, had now become satisfied that the government of the empire was acting with good faith in its endeavors to bring the offenders in that wicked transaction to justice.
It will be your pleasant duty to felicitate, in the President’s name, not only the Japanese ministers for foreign affairs, but also the British minister, on these gratifying accounts, so honorable to the government of the Tycoon, and so conducive to the peace of his empire.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Robert H. Pruyn, Esq., &c., &c., &c. Yedo.