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again brought forward this year and the For. Minister lately informed that his Govt intended to claim the Islands as Japanese territory & would send some officers there to report upon their condition
This mission has now been determined on & will probably proceed there in a few days.
The Minister has not yet informed Me definitely what are the objects of the mission, & I am not aware whether the officials are being sent for the purpose of only making a report upon which the Govt may base ulterior proceedings, or whether the Govt have it in view to establish Japanese authority in the group at once.
I have often thought it desirable that the Islands should be visited by one of our ships when circumstances permitted, in order that we might ascertain the condition of the 30 or 40 British subjects who are believed to be settled there.
On hearing therefore that the Japanese Govt had resolved on sending a mission to the Bonins, I applied to Admr Ryder to allow this "Curlew" to proceed there at the same time, & he has been so good as to assent to this proposal.
I have thought it advisable to associate Mr Consul Robertson with Commander Church on this expedition as he is familiar with the antecedents of the question & I would be able to render material aid in making the inquiries I have suggested, & also