Two scholars of Yedo, in Japan, named Isagi Kóóda and Kwansuchi Manji, present this letter to the high officers or others who manage affairs. That which we have received is meager and trifling, as are our persons insignificant, so that we are ashamed to come before distinguished personages. We are ignorant of arms and their uses in battle, nor do we know the rules of strategy and discipline. We have in short, uselessly whiled away our months and years, and know nothing. We heard a little of the customs and knowledge of the Europeans and Americans, and have desired to travel about in the five great continents, but the maritime prohibitions of our country are exceeding strict, so that for the foreigners to enter the “inner land” or for natives to go to other countries, are alike among the immutable regulations. Therefore our desire to travel has been checked, and could only go to and fro in our breasts, unable to find utterance, and our feet so hampered that we could not stir. This had been the case many years, when happily the arrival of so many of your ships anchoring in our waters, now for several days, and our careful and repeated observation of the kind and humane conduct of your officers, and their love for others, has revived the cherished desire of years, which now struggles for its exit. We have decided on a plan, which is, very privately to take us aboard of your ships and carry us to sea, that we may travel over the five continents, even if, by so doing, we disregard our laws. We hope you will not regard our humble request with disdain, but rather enable us to carry it out. Whatever we are able to do to serve, will be considered as an order so soon as we hear it. When a lame man sees another walking, or a pedestrian sees another riding, would he not be glad to be in his place? How much more to us, who, for our whole lives, could not go beyond 30° E. and W., or 25° N. to S., when we behold you come riding on the high wind, and careering over the vast waves, with lightning speed coasting along the five continents, does it appear as if the lame had a way to walk, or the walker an opportunity to ride! We hope you who manage affairs will condescend to grant and regard our request, for as the restrictions of our country are not yet removed, if this matter becomes known, we shall have no place to flee, and doubtless will suffer the extremest penalty, which result would greatly grieve your kind and benevolent hearts toward your fellow-men. We trust to have our request granted, and also that you will secrete us until you sail, so as to avoid all risk of endangering life. When we return here at a future day, we are sure that what has passed will not be very closely investigated. Though rude and unpractised in speech, our desires are earnest, and we hope you will regard us in compassion, nor doubt or oppose our request. April 11th. An additional note enclosed, was:—