In 1872, Neesima was invited to Washington, D.C., to advise representatives of the Japanese government who were visiting the US to study the American educational system. Neesima was willing to do what he could to help them, but he wanted to make certain that it was clearly understood that he was doing so of his own free will, not because he was ordered to do so, since his education was being financed privately and not by the Japanese government. He made this distinction in order to preserve his future freedom to work as a missionary in Japan without obligation to work for the Japanese government.
In this letter to the Hardys, Neesima describes his experiences in the first few days after arriving in Washington.
March 8, 1872
Georgetown, D.C.
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Iwakura Mission: from the left, Kido, Yamaguchi, Iwakura, Ito, Okubo
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I arrived at the capital safely yesterday morning and was cordially received by Mr. Mori. I found myself very tired when I arrived, therefore I did not go to the hotel where the embassy are, but went directly to the Japanese Legation and asked the minister to put me in some quiet private family. He was very kind to me and told me to lie down in his house, but I could not sleep at all for there was so much confusion. In the afternoon the American private secretary of the minister secured a good place for me in Georgetown only two miles from the capital, not far from his own house. Mr. Mori requested me to come to Arlington House this morning. I went there at the settled time and saw the Minister of Educational Bureau of Japan. Twelve Japanese students in the States were summoned to meet him to give him some advice. The power was granted them to make any motions or give any advice to him, and the motions would be carried by the vote of the majority. When they went in the parlor to meet him, they made the Japanese bow to him; but I was behind them, standing erect at a corner of the room. Some time before this meeting I handed a brief note to Mr. Mori stating my present relation to you, and asking him to distinguish me from the rest. Mr. Mori stood for me very favorably, and told the Commissioner that he must not rank me among the other Japanese; for I have been supported and educated by my Boston friends and have not yet received a single cent from the Japanese government. So he had no right to treat me as a slave of the Japanese government. "At my request," Mr Mori said, "Mr. Neesima came here, not as a bondman, but with his kindness to give you some advice concerning education. So you must appreciate his kindness and willingness to do such a favor for you. As Mr. Neesima has such a relation to his Boston friends, he cannot commit himself to the Japanese government without their consent, neither has the government any right to lay claim on him, or to command to do this or that, but the things ought to be done by a contract between him and you. Fortunately he has three weeks' vacation, and will do some good service to you if you treat him as a friend. He is a lover of Japan, but not a slave." This speech pleased the commissioner exceedingly and made every one in the room to look at me. When he noticed me standing erect he asked Mr. Mori whether the corner-stander was Mr. Neesima. When he ascertained that it was he stepped forward from his seat, shook my hand, and made a most graceful yet most dignified bow to me, asking me to be a kind friend to him. He bowed himself 60 [degrees] from the perpendicular. So I made like bow in return. I could not help laughing within my heart that a behind or corner-stander was so honored by him in the room. He gave me an order to be an interpreter to him when he goes around the country to examine the schools, and to tell him all about your school system. I told him if I am ordered to do this I would rather refuse it, because he should distinguish me from the others who received aid from the government; but if I am requested to do this for a certain compensation, I would gladly do any favor for him. The commissioner told Mr. Mori to treat and receive me exactly as I requested of him.
It was voted to meet to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock. During the meeting the students made several motions, but I did not vote or say anything, in order not to place myself on the same platform of the rest. When the meeting was dismissed the others made 30 [degree] bow from the perpendicular to the commissioner, without shaking his hand. But he came to me and asked where I reside and requested me to call on him privately. He then shook my hand and made 70 [degree] bow to me, wishing me for the improvement of my health. I could not help laughing at my being distinguished so much among the Japanese, for I have never thought myself that I was something, and have always desired to keep myself unknown from the public. So when I went to the parlor I stood at a corner keeping myself behind the rest, standing erect and not bowing, desiring to keep my right. I am glad to say I kept my right and my right was granted to me. I wish you would rejoice with me at this triumphant hour, for I am a free man, a free man in Christ. I could not help thanking you through whose aid and means I have attained this liberty. I know your prayers have been answered now, but pray on still. I do not care for the esteem of men, but only wish to remain a humble child of God.
I suppose you would not object of my spending this vacation with the embassy, if I take a good care for my health. I have not seen Iwakura [Tomomi], the chief ambassador, but had a pleasant interview with his secretary [TANABE Taichi], who was a friend of two of my best Japanese friends at home, and found out all about them.
My boarding-house is very near where some Japanese girls are staying for the present. I saw two of them yesterday. One of them is about fifteen years of age [YOSHIMASU Ryoko], and another is only eight years old [TSUDA Umeko], the second daughter of my old schoolmate [TSUDA Sen], who is now a prominent officer in the country. She is a little cunning and acute thing I ever saw. I had very pleasant conversation with them and dined with them too. They don't understand what the ladies in the families speak to them; so when I go there to see them they are delighted to see me, and ask me ever so many questions. They feel so friendly to me, and are not afraid to ask me questions, for I told them I shall be very sorry if they do hesitate to ask me anything. Though I do not preach to them, yet I am teaching them some moral principle in a pleasant way. So I think they would not take me as a lover of girls, though I call on them so often, but a kind instructor, because they make such graceful Japanese bow each time when I speak to them. I am so thankful that I can do some service to them.