Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward
No. 54.]
Legation of the United States in
Japan,
Yedo,
October 21, 1867.
Sir: Large quantities of raw silk and silk-worm
eggs are annually exported from this country to Europe. The Japanese, by
rude processes, manufacture some, but for the want of machinery and the
knowledge of the use of colors they cannot compete with the French and
Italians. Believing that the interests of both the governments of the
United States and Japan would be materially benefited by the
introduction of the necessary machinery and knowledge and the
manufacture of those fabrics in this country, I addressed a note upon
the subject to his excellency the minister for foreign affairs, a copy
of which is enclosed, marked No. 1.
In answer to this note I received a communication from the minister
Ogasawari Iki No Kami, a copy of the translation of which I enclose,
marked No. 2.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Untitled]
No. 83.]
Legation of the United States,
Yedo,
September 23, 1867.
Sir:Your excellency is no doubt acquainted
with the peculiar circumstances rendering-agricultural and mining
pursuits so profitable in the United States as to necessitate, to a
great extent, the importation from Europe of cotton, woollen, and
silk manufactures.
With the aid of skilled labor, such as is only to be found in France,
silk goods suitable for the American trade, could be manufactured in
Japan at remunerative rates, thereby giving profitable employment to
thousands of poor people who now have only very limited means of
support, if any, and strengthen, most effectually, the friendly
relations between the United States and this country. That it is to
the interest of Japan to benefit by the experience of other nations,
and to learn the arts and sciences by which they have arrived at
powerful prosperity, is so self-evident, that it is quite
unnecessary for me, in this connection of silk manufactures, to
point out the advantage of your people, themselves large consumers
of silk goods, becoming familiar with all the improvements now
known, which have already enabled foreigners, to a limited extent as
yet, to undersell the native manufactures in this country.
I consider the subject of silk manufactures in this country of such
importance, both to the United States and Japan, that I do not
hesitate to request you to take it into due consideration and to
inform me of the result of your deliberations at your earliest
convenience.
With respect and esteem,
R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Minister Resident
of the United States.
His Excellency the Minister for Foreign
Affairs,
&c., &c., Yedo.
[Translation.]
His Excellency R. B. Van Valkenburgh,
Minister Resident of the United States of America
:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of
the 23d of September, in which your excellency gave me some advice
relative to the silk fabric in this country, stating that if the
manufacture be perfected by adopting the French method, it will not
only be an advantage to the commerce with your country, but it will
greatly serve the people of Japan.
I have fully understood the statement of your excellency on the
subject, and am very grateful to you for the kind advice you have
occasionally given me, as silk is the chief product of this country.
Among the other articles of export, when its manufacture is
perfected, it will be a great benefit to our commerce, and therefore
I am anxious to introduce the European method, but there is no one
who will undertake the great work of constructing machinery at
present.
[Page 66]
I hope, however, that the time will soon come when the kind advice of
your excellency can be acted upon, as the improvement of the people
is much increased by the daily growth of our intercourse with the
friendly powers with whom treaties have already been made.
I always feel gratitude for the kind advice of your excellency.
I respectfully request of your excellency to accept my highest
consideration.
OGASAWARA IKI NO KAMI.
October 19, 1867.
