Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Pacific Commercial Advertiser Reports: Japanese Embassy in Washington, Part Three



Six months after the Japanese ambassadorial delegation arrived in Honolulu the Pacific Commercial Advertiser featured further news of their travels in the United States. ‘The Japanese at Washington: Incidents of Their Visit’ was featured in the August 2, 1860 edition of the paper.

The following is a transcript of the third section of news story, focusing on an address to President Buchanan by the Japanese at the White House. No author is listed, so I am at this point assuming that the text was taken from various newspaper sources that managed through the mails to reach Honolulu.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

His Majesty, the Tycoon, has commanded us that we respectfully express to His Majesty the President of the United States, in his name, as follows: Desiring to establish, on a firm and lasting foundation, the relations of peace and commerce so happily existing between the two countries, that lately the plenipotentiary of both countries have negotiated and concluded a treaty, now he has ordered as to exchange the ratification of the treaty in your principal city of Washington. Henceforth, in hopes that the friendly that the friendly relations shall be held more and more lasting, and be very happy to have your friendly feeling. That you have brought us to the United States, and will send us back to Japan in your man-of-war.

Having delivered their message they retired, bowing to the President and cabinet repeatedly in leaving their presence.

They soon, however, returned, bowing profoundly, as before, when the President addressed them as follows- Mr. Portman interpreting to the Japanese interpreter, and the latter communicating with the principal envoy:

(Next: The President’s Address)

No comments:

Post a Comment