A letter was handed to the officers (before Shoin and his companion ran off), and the translation made by Williams, the interpreter of the American Squadron. (“Narrative of the Expedition of an American squadron to the Chinese seas and Japan” compiled from the original notes and journals of Commodore Perry and his officers by F.L. Hawks, pp 484-85)

“Two scholars from Edo, in Japan, present this letter for the inspection of the high officers and those who manage affairs. Our attainments are few and trifling, as we ourselves are small and unimportant, so that we are abashed in coming before you; we are neither skilled in the use of arms, nor are we able to discourse upon the rules of strategy and military discipline; in trifling pursuits and ideal pastimes our years and months have slipped away. We have, however, read in books, and learned a little by hearsay, what the customs and education in Europe and America, and have been for many years desirous of going over the five great continents, but the laws of our country in all maritime points are very strict; for foreigners to come into the country and for natives to go abroad, are both immutably forbidden. Our wish to visit other regions has consequently only gone to and fro in our own breasts in continual agitation like one’s breathing being impeded or his walking cramped. Happily the arrival of so many of your ships in these waters, and stay for so many days, which has given us opportunity to make a pleasing acquaintance and careful examination, so that we are fully assured of the kindness and liberality of your excellencies, and your regard for others , has also revived the thoughts of many years , and they are urgent for an exit.

This, then is the time to carry the plan into execution, and we now secretly send you this private request, that you will take us on board your ships as they go out to sea; we can thus visit around in the five great continents, even if we do, in this, slight the prohibitions of our own country. Lest those who have the management of affairs may feel some chagrin at this, in order to effect our desire, we are willing to serve in any way we can on board of the ships, and obey the orders given us. For doubtless it is, that when a lame man sees others walking he wishes to walk too; but how shall the pedestrian gratify his desires when he sees another riding? We have all our lives been going hither to you, unable to get more than thirty degrees East and West, or twenty-five degrees North and South; but now when we see how you sail on the tempests and cleave the huge billows, going lightning speed thousands and myriads of miles, skirting along the five great continents, can it not be likened to the lame finding a plan for walking, and the pedestrian seeing a mode by which he can ride? If you who manage affairs will give our request your consideration, we will retain the sense of the favor; but the prohibitions of our country are still existent, and if this matter should become known, we should uselessly see ourselves pursued and brought back for immediate execution without fail, and such a result would greatly grieve the deep humanity and kindness you all bear towards others. If you are willing to accede to this request, keep ‘wrapped in silence our error in making it’ until you are about to leave, in order to avoid all risk of such serious danger to life; for when by-and-by, we come back, our countrymen will never think it worth while to investigate bygone doings. Although our words have only loosely let our thoughts leak out, yet truly they are sincere; and if your excellencies are pleased to regard them kindly, do not doubt them nor oppose our wishes. We together pay our respects in handing this in. April 11.” (The original is also found in Tokutomi, 191-3)

The two men were interred and recognized by the Americans a few days later, sitting in a cage.

Shoin wrote the following on a board.

“When a hero fails in his purpose his acts are then regarded as those of a villain and a robber. In public we have been seized and pinioned and caged for many days. The village elders and headmen treat us disdainfully, their oppressions being grievous indeed. Therefore looking up while yet we have nothing wherewith to reproach ourselves, it msut now be seen whether a hero will prove himself to be one indeed. Regarding the liberyty of going through the sixty States as not enough for our desires, we wished to make the circuit of the five great continents. This was our hearts’ wish for a long time. Suddenly our plans are defeated, and we find ourselves in a half-sized house, where eating, resting, sitting, and sleeping are difficult; how can we find our exit from this place? Weeping we seem as fools; laughing as rogues. Alas! For us; silent we can only be.”