Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Seward
No. 292.]
Legation of the United States,
Paris, March 26, 1866.
Sir: I have received from Lord Cowley notice of
the payment of the second instalment of the Japanese indemnity. I have
the honor to enclose copies of his lordship’s letter and of my
reply.
I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Lord Cowley to Mr. Bigelow.
Sir: Sir Henry Parkes, her Majesty’s envoy
in Japan, has reported to her Majesty’s government that a sum of
$500,000, being the second instalment of the indemnity due by the
Japanese government under the convention of the 22d of October,
1864, has been received by the Oriental Bank at Yokohama, which
holds it at the disposal of the representatives of the four
powers.
Sir H. Parkes observes, that calculating three months from the close
of the Japanese ninth month, which fell on the 20th of August, 1865,
when the Japanese government chose to declare the first instalment
to be payable, the second instalment became due on the 17th or 20th
November, according to whether the date be determined by the
Japanese or foreign calendar.
The delay which has occurred in the payment is attributable, Sir
Henry Parkes says, in some degree, to the absence of the
representatives at Osacca, and also to the time required to raise
the requisite sum by the conversion of a large quantity of copper
cash, the sale of which in China has been undertaken by the Oriental
Bank on account of the Tycoon’s government.
Her Majesty’s minister in Japan and his colleague, knowing that the
Japanese ministers were acting in good faith in respect to the
payment of the second instalment, did not think it necessary to
raise serious objections to the delay.
I have now been instructed to propose that this second instalment
should be remitted to Europe in conformity with the arrangement
suggested in the letter which Mr. Ellis addressed to you on the 19th
of December of last year, in regard to the first payment.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
Hon. John Bigelow, &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Bigelow to Lord Cowley
Legation of the United
States, Paris,
March 26,
1866.
My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your favor of the 23d instant, communicating the
report received by your excellency’s government that a sum of
$500,000, being the second instalment of the indemnity due by the
Japanese government, under the
[Page 287]
convention of the 22d October, 1864, bad been
received by the Oriental Bank of Yokohama, where it is held at the
disposal of the representatives of the four powers.
Your excellency also informs me that you are instructed to propose
that this second instalment should be remitted, to Europe in
conformity with the arrangement suggested in the letter addressed to
me by; Mr. Ellis on the 19th of December last, in regard to the
first payment.
In conformity with the instructions of my government, and in its
behalf, I have the honor to accept the foregoing proposal and to
thank your excellency for its communication.
I have the honor to remain, my lord, your lordship’s most obedient
and most humble servant,
His Excellency Earl Cowley, &c.,
&c., &c.
