渋沢栄一・中野武営書翰 ジェームス・ディー・ローマン宛 （1917.05.31） （ジェームス・ディー・ローマン氏所蔵）
(COPY)
Tokyo, May 31, 1917.
J. D. Lowman, Esq.,
Seattle, Wash. U. S. A.
My dear Mr. Lowman :
As you know we, the late Honorary Commercial Commissioners who visited the United States in 1909, are in the habit of holding a reunion once every year on the day of our return home from your country, that is the 17th of December, for the purpose of perpetuating our memory and appreciation of the kind courtesies accorded us by your government and people during that memorable trip.
Last year, however, it so happened that the 17th of December last was the day of the State funeral of the late Marshal Prince Oyama, who was highly esteemed by the whole nation. So we postponed our usual gathering to the 20th of April of this year, when it was held at the Nihonbashi Club, Tokyo. These present at the meeting numbered fourteen in all, namely, Baron Kanda, Mr. H. Hibiya, Mr. K. Iwahara, Mr. K. Nezu, Mr. K. Koike, Mr. T. Machida, Mr. M. Ito, Mr. H. Iida, Mr. M. Masuda, Mr. T. Kato, Mr. S. Uyeda, Mr. B. Kubota, and the undersigned.
We recalled and talked about many happy incidents and experiences of the trip and refreshed our memory of the unbounded kindness which was extended to us by your good self and your colleagues during the memorable journey.
After dinner, both of the undersigned made speeches, each referring to the unforgettable kindness your countrymen showed to us, and to the necessity of ever promoting friendly feelings and understanding between the United States and Japan, not only for the sake of both countries but also for the peace of the whole world.
To us who for these several years have deemed it our mission to do all we can to promote friendship between the two nations, it is sincerely gratifying to observe that the Japanese people have recently come to be understood by your countrymen.
We feel, however, very sorry to have to inform you that the obituary list of the late Honorary Commercial Commissioners is increasing year after year. Those who have passed away since our return from your country are eight in all, namely : Messrs. Rinnosuke Hara and S. Satake of Tokyo; Messrs.
J. Nishimura and N. Fujiye of Kyoto ; Messrs. Ryuta Hara and K. Soda of Yokohama; Mr. E. Iwamoto of Osaka, and Mr. K. Midzuno, the former Japanese Consul-General at New York.
We intend to hold a commemoration meeting for these deceased friends at Tokyo in the Autumn of this year, their surviving families being invited to be present at the gathering.
With renewed thanks and kindest regards, we beg to remain,
Yours ever sincerely,
(Signed) Baron E. Shibusawa
(Signed) B. Nakano
Representing the Late Honorary Commercial
Commissioners to the United States.
（『渋沢栄一伝記資料』第32巻p.477-478掲載）
