3 page letter + 4 page translation of a document from the Japanese ambassador. Approximately 10x8", on black-bordered stationery (in memory of President Garfield who was assassinated 2 months prior).

Blaine - who was nearly elected President of the United States three years later - here transmits "a copy of a note from the Minister of Japan at this capital...relative to the rescue of the surviving crew of the Japanese Junk, the 'Yeitoku Maru', in May last, by an American vessel, the 'Fremont', owned by Messrs. Lynde and Hough of San Francisco, and of which L.Y. Emerson was master...the Government of Japan in recognition of the humane and gallant services of Captain Emerson has directed that a pair of bronze vases be presented to him through the Consul of Japan at San Francisco and that in addition, the sincere and grateful thanks of that Government be communicated to the Captain through this Department...." As explained in the translated letter, the Japanese Junk, with a crew of 11, was blown out to sea and disabled by the loss of her rudder. Three of the crew died while the vessel drifted for five months until she was spotted by the "Fremont" which was bound for cod fishing in the Sea of Okhotsk, off the far northern Siberian coast. Having rescued the Japanese sailors, Captain Emerson "prompted by his humane feelings, went out of his way" to take the rescued men to Hokkaido, where they were transferred to a Japanese schooner.