Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward
No. 65.]
Legation of the United States,
Yedo,
November 18, 1867.
Sir: Since the establishment by the Pacific
Mail Steamship Company of a line of steamers between San Francisco and
Hong Kong, touching at Yokohama,
[Page 74]
and the adoption by the Japanese government of a system of passports by
which its subjects are permitted to migrate to foreign countries, many
of them have gone to the United States, and the number so travelling is
rapidly increasing.
Believing it to be, under the circumstances, for the interest of our own
as well as of this government, that a Japanese consul should be
appointed at San Francisco, on the 16th of September last I addressed a
note upon that subject to the Gorogio, a copy of which I enclose, (No.
1.)
After taking the matter into consideration, they agreed with me in the
opinion that such appointment was necessary, and asked me to name an
American citizen upon whom they should confer that position. I named to
them several, either of whom, I assured them, was competent to perform
the duties, and among them Charles Walcott Brooks, esq. This gentleman
has been, for the past few years, acting as Japanese commercial agent at
that city, had taken charge of some wrecked Japanese sailors and
returned them to this country, and had received and attended upon the
late Japanese embassy to the United States, while in that city, and had
been employed by them in procuring for this government many articles,
arms, and ammunition which they desired. They, therefore, knew him
favorably, and at once concluded to give to him that appointment.
I know Mr. Brooks to be competent and worthy of the position.
Enclosed (No 2) I send a copy translation of the commission issued to Mr.
Brooks, the original of which, by request of Ogasawara Iki No Kami, the
minister for foreign affairs, I send by this mail, to him direct, at San
Francisco.
Enclosed (No. 3) I send copy translation of a letter from the minister
for foreign affairs, directed to me, and accompanying the commission, in
which he desires that I shall inform you of the proceedings, and ask
that Mr. Brooks may be properly recognized as consul.
This is the first consul ever appointed by the Japanese government, and I
believe it is the first commission ever issued to a foreigner.
I trust my action in this matter will meet with the approval of the
President and yourself.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward
Secretary of State Washington, D. C.
[Untitled]
No. 80.]
Legation of the United States,
Yedo,
September 16, 1867.
Since the establishment of the line of steamers between San Francisco
and Yokohama, which, in a short time will put those ports in monthly
communication, and since the adoption by the Japanese government of
the system of passports, by which the Japanese are more freely
permitted to travel abroad, it would seem that some measure of
protection should be afforded to the citizens of Japan in the United
States, especially at San Francisco. Your excellency is aware that
your government has a commercial agent, who, for nine years, without
any compensation, has taken care of the interests of this government
at that port. In consideration of the increase of trade and travel
through that city, I would respectfully suggest to your excellency
that the appointment of a consul to reside at San Francisco would be
gratifying to the government I represent, and redound to the benefit
of the Japanese government.
With respect and esteem,
R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Minister Resident
of the United States.
His Excellency the Minister for Foreign
Affairs,
&c., &c.
[Untitled]
His Excellency R. B. Van Valkenburgh,
Minister Resident of the United States :
I have the honor to communicate to your excellency the following: You
were kind enough to advise me through Edzure
Kanga no Kami, governor for foreign affairs, and again in
[Page 75]
your letter No. 80, of
September 16, of the benefit and convenience to our two countries
which would accrue by the appointment of a consul for Japan, to
reside at San Francisco, and to mention Mr. Charles Walcott Brooks
as an honest man, and one competent to fill that position.
I am aware of the services which Mr. Brooks has rendered the Japanese
government for some years past, and for which we are much obliged to
him.
As the United States was the first to conclude a treaty with Japan
and to open the country to foreign trade, and since the
establishment of the mail steamers between San Francisco and
Yokohama will increase the trade and friendship between the two
powers, and largely augment the travel of Japanese to America, we
have judged best to appoint a consul at San Francisco, and according
to your advice the government has appointed Mr. Brooks to that
position. I have the honor to enclose herewith his commission, which
I beg that you will forward to him. I also send a translation of the
same for your information.
Whenever our government shall order any articles through him, he will
be paid a commission of five per cent. of their value; and when his
consular duties shall take him away from his business, a proper
compensation will be paid to him.
I beg that your excellency will communicate this to your government
and procure Mr. Brooks’s recognition as consul.
Although the governors for foreign affairs have written to Mr.
Brooks, yet I beg to request that you will write him more
particularly upon this subject.
I take this opportunity to express my thanks for your many kindnesses
toward us.
With respect and consideration,
OGASAWARA IKI NO KAMI.
28th
day of 9th month of Keio, 3d year, (October 25, 1867.)
[Untitled]
Having heard of the abilities and honest character of Charles Walcott
Brooks, residing at San Francisco, in the United States, on the
advice of H. E. R. B. Van Valkenburgh, minister resident of the
United States, in Japan, the said Charles Walcott Brooks is
appointed consul of Japan at San Francisco, and be is ordered as far
as possible to respect the Japanese laws and transact all his
consular business according to them.
The crew of all Japanese merchant vessels, and all of our people
visiting San Francisco, shall follow the instructions which he may
give them. Also officers of the Japanese men of war shall confer
with him.
It is requested that the government of the United States of America
will please to permit the said Charles Walcott Brooks to exercise
his duty, and will afford him all proper countenance and
assistance.
In witness whereof, this letter has been given him, and the seal of
the government hereunto affixed.
[seal.]
OGASAWARA IKI NO KAMI, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Keio,
3d year, 9th month, (October,
1867.)
