Captain Turner, officers of the Astoria, Your Excellency and gentlemen:
On behalf of the Government and people of Japan, I wish to express to Captain Turner our deep appreciation of his kind words and hospitality extended on the eve of the Astoria's departure from these shores.
Because your President's thoughtfulness towards the late Ambassador Saito has touched the heart of the Japanese people, and because Saito was so greatly loved by his fellow countrymen, the spontaneous and sincere gratitude felt towards the captain, officers, and men of the Astoria, who participated in the solemn mission across the Pacific, has been deep and universal throughout the country. It is this sense of gratitude shared by the whole Japanese people that charged us who are responsible for the reception programme, to make your stay in Japan as pleasant as possible. We wish you could stay longer, so that our sentiments could more properly be conveyed to you.
With the kind participation of the officers and men of the Astoria, we held a celebration at Shimoda Sunday last, commemorating the visit of Commodore Matthew Perry to Japan some 85 years ago. I am confident that the historic visit of the Astoria likewise will be ever remembered by the Japanese people as signifying another memorable chapter in the history of friendly relations between our two countries.
In closing, may I again thank Captain Turner for his welcome this evening and wish him and all the officers and men of the Astoria bon voyage. And with your kind permission I will propose a toast to the Government and people of the U. S. A.