The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-03-09
Letter of Credence from Japan,

l
We give below copy of the officia
translation of the letter of credence flor
the Emperor of Japan, presented by til
Japanese Embassy to the President of th
United States. 1t shows the present En-
peror of Japan to be most sagacious an,
far-reaching statesman as well as an en-
lightened and popular governor. He i
for putting Japan on footing of cviliza
ton as nearly compatible with that of ou,
own and other civilized countries as posi-
BILE. This is the text of his letter:
Aoutsouktto Emperor Of Japan, etc., to the prest
| dent 0ftte States Of America our qood brofbe,
| dndydttiyut friend, greeting:
| MIR. PRESIDENT: Whereas, since ou,
accession by the blessings of Heaven to
the sacred throne on which our ancestors
relgned from time immemorial, we have
not dispatched any Embassy to the Courts
and governments of friendly countries,
we have thought fit to select our trusty
and honored Minister, Sjouii Tomomi
lwakuri, the Junior Prime Minister as
Ambassador Extraordinary, and have
associated with him Jassammi Takagossi
kido, member of the Privi Council: JUS
sammi Topsimitsi Okubo, Minister of
Finance; Sushie Hirobumie Ito, Acting
Minister of Public Works, and Jushie
Massouha Yammguts, Assistant Minis
ter for Foreign Affairs, Associate AM
bassadors Extraordinary, and invested
them with the full power to proceed to the
good government of the United States as
well as to other governments, in order to
declare our cordial friendship, and to place
the peaceful relations between our respec-
tive nations on firmer and broader basis,
The period for revising the treaties now ex-
lstlng between ourselves and the United
States is less than one year distant. We
expect and intend to reform and improve
the same, so as to stand upon similar
footing with the most enlightened nations,
and to obtain the full development of pub
lie right and interest. The civilization
and institutions of Japan aro so different
from those of other countries INT we can
not expect to reach the desired end at once.
1t is our purpose to select from the various
institutions prevailing among the enlighten-
ed nations such as are best suited to our
present condition, and adopt them in grad
lal reforms, and the improvements of our
policy and customs, so as to be upon an |
equality with them. With this object
We desire to fully disclose to the
United States government the condition of
.ffairs in our Empire, and to consult upon
he means of giving efficiency to our institu-
ions at present and in the future; and as
oon as the said Embassy returns home.
We will consider about the revision of the
reaties and accomplish what we have cx-
'ected and intended. The Ministers who
empose this Embassy have our confidence
nd esteem. We request you to favor them
With full credence and due regard and we
arnestly pray for your continued health
nd happiness, and for the peace and pros
erity OF your great republic.
I'm witness whereof we have hereunto
ct our hand and the great seal of our en-
ire, at our palace in the city of Toxic,
his fourth of the eleventh month of the
ourth year of Meij. Your affectionate
rother and friend.
GSignedl ''MoUTsoUKITo.
"Countersigned JitichI iSmaetomai Sanjo,
prime Minister.o