[Enclosure No. 2.] Memorandum. The undersigned having, on behalf of their respective governments, entered into a convention with the government of his Majesty the Tycoon, providing for the payment by him of a gross sum of three millions of dollars ($3,000,000) for indemnities and expenses occasioned by the hostile acts of the Prince of Nagato, declare that they assumed, as the basis of such convention, that entered into at Paris with the commissioners of the Tycoon, (not ratified by the Tycoon because of other provisions,) in and by which the payment of one hundred and forty thousand dollars ($140,000) was to be made to the government of his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the French for the attack on the Kienchang; and as such sum, or a larger one, may be justly claimed, and as the governments of the United States and of the Netherlands are justly entitled to like indemnities for more serious attacks on national and merchant ships of those countries by the same prince, it is reserved for those governments to decide if any, and what, indemnities from said gross amount so to be paid by the Japanese government shall be paid therefor. In view of the possible acceptance by the said governments of a port in the Inland sea in lieu thereof, which may render any division unnecessary, the undersigned reserve the same for adjustment by their governments, and, to provide an equitable basis, have hereto annexed memoranda of the naval commanders, showing the number of ships furnished by each for the expedition and assigned for the defence of the several ports, with their armaments and crews; and also of the military commanders, showing the number of troops collected for the same purposes. ROBERT H. PRUYN, Minister Resident of the United States. RUTHERFORD ALCOCK, H.B. M. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in Japan. LEON ROCHES, Minister Plenipotentiary of the Emperor of the French in Japan. Consul General and Political Agent of the Netherlands in Japan. YOKOHAMA, October 22, 1864. [Enclosure No. 3.] UNITED STATES SHIP JAMESTOWN, Yokohama, October 21, 1864. SIR: In compliance with your request, I have the honor to inform you that the naval force of the United States on the coast of Japan, in the month of September last, was composed of this ship, with a crew of two hundred and eighteen (218) persons, all told, and twenty-one (21) guns; the chartered steamer Ta-kiang, of forty persons, all told, and three (3) guns. One gun and eighteen (18) persons were transferred from this ship to the Ta-kiang, making her full crew fifty-eight, all told, during the time she was in the service of the United States. The Jamestown was assigned to the defence of this port, and the Ta-kiang formed part of the expedition to Simonoseki. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. ROBERT H. PRUYN, United States Minister Resident, Japan. CICERO PRICE, Captain United States Navy. [Enclosure No. 4.] ́ General returu showing the number and description of her Majesty's naval forces, royal marines, &c., engaged in the recent operations in the straits of Simonoseki; also those at or in transitu between the scveral ports during the same period. Dated on board the Euryalus, at Yokohama, October 24, 1864. AUGUSTUS L. KUPER, True copy: JOHN MACDONALD. Return of troops present at Yokohama during the operations at Simonoseki. Officers, 56; sergeants and rank and file, 1,295; horses, 45; guns, 10; mortars, 4; rocket tubes, 1. Ammunition.-200 rounds per gun; 500 rounds per rifle. H. R. BROWNE, Lieut. Col., 2d and 20th Regiments, Comm'g Her Majesty's Troops in Japan. True copy: JOHN MACDONALD, Her Majesty's Legation. [Enclosure No. 5.-Translation.] NAVAL FORCES IN THE CHINA SEAS. General return of the French naval forces engaged in the recent operations at the straits of Simonoseki, and of those employed during that period as transport or despatch vessels, or for protection in Japanese waters. ON BOARD THE SEMIRAMIS, October 26, 1864. The Rear-Admiral Commanding in Chief the Nav. Div. in the China and Japan Seas, C. JAURES. A true copy: DEP. TURENNE. [Enclosure No. 6.-Translation.] Return of the Netherlands naval forces engaged in the operations in the straits of Simonoseki in September last. No. 66.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN JAPAN, SIR: Two British officers, in citizen's dress, Major Baldwin and Lieutena nt Bird, of the 20th regiment, have been murdered by Japanese at Kamakma, within treaty limits. Government declares itself anxious for their arrest, claiming it an act of hostility to itself. Please inform Lord Lyons. I have the honor to be your most obedient servant, ROBT. H. PRUYN, Minister Resident of the United States in Japan. Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c. No. 67.] Mr. Pruyn to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN JAPAN, Kanagawa, November 29, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to transmit enclosure No. 1, copy of the letter of the minister of foreign affairs ratifying the convention recently entered into with this government. I remain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, ROBT. H. PRUYN, Minister Resident of the United States in Japan. Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington. No. 1. Japanese Ministers to Mr. Pruyn. We beg to communicate to you as follows: In respect to the convention entered into by our vice-minister, Saka Hidano-kami, on the 22d ultimo, with you, at Kanagawa, we have to inform you that our government has undertaken to give effect to the same; in token of which we send this despatch. In order to inform you of the above we send this communication. With respect and esteem, the 3d day of the 10th month of 1st year Genji, (4th November, 1864.) His Excellency ROBERT H. PRUYN, MIDSUMO IDSUMI-NO-KAMI. Minister Resident of the United States, &c., &c., &c. No. 51.] Mr. Seward to Mr. Pruyn. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, October 24, 1863. SIR: Your despatch dated July 31, No. 51, has been received. Upon the testimony received relative to the destruction by fire of the legation buildings at Yedo, the President considers it to have been offensive and criminal, not an accidental occurrence, and this government will expect indemnity therefor. Should you come to a different conclusion, however, the subject will be reconsidered. It is deemed proper that you should insist on a residence at Yedo, and it is hoped that the Japanese government will throw no obstacles in the way of your return thither. The President justly appreciates the difficulties which surrounded your position, and does not doubt that Congress will indemnify you for all needful expenses or losses. I am, sir, your obedient servant, SIR: Your despatch of August 26, No. 57, has been received, and your narration of the circumstances as related to you by Lieutenant Colonel Neale, which attended his mission to Kagosima, and of the operations of the British fleet at that place, has been read with very great interest. It is hoped that your next despatch will announce, at least, the prospect of a speedy and amicable adjustment of the difficulties between the treaty powers and Japan. I am, sir, your obedient servant, ROBERT H. PRUYN, Esq. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. |