Mr. Seward to Mr. Pruyn.
Sir: This government is most desirous to preserve and invigorate the friendship which through the discreet and generous labors of your predecessor and yourself has grown up between us and Japan. The President therefore regrets that the painful condition of political affairs prevents its allowance of the execution to the full extent of the wishes of the Japanese government in regard to the building and equipment of ships of war for its use. You will explain to the ministers for foreign affairs that, provided the trust proposed to you is understood to be one which is to be exercised in your individual capacity, not in any wise compromising the government, there is no obstacle to the execution of the wishes of the government of Japan, so far as relates to the construction and departure of the vessels without armament, if completed while the necessity for the present restrictions remains in force, or with it, after a change of circumstances shall permit them to be removed. It is constantly the policy of the government to encourage the resort of foreigners to our manufacturers and markets for all lawful material and merchandise.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Robert H. Pruyn, Esq., &c., &c., &c.