"We have long had it in view to gradually establish a const.i.tutional form of government.... It was with this object in view that in the eighth year of Meiji (1875) we established the Senate, and in the eleventh year of Meiji (1878) authorized the formation of local a.s.semblies.... We therefore hereby declare that we shall, in the twenty-third year of Meiji (1890) establish a parliament, in order to carry into full effect the determination we have announced; and we charge our faithful subjects bearing our commissions to make, in the meantime, all necessary preparations to that end."

[Footnote 1: C. Lanman, The j.a.panese in America, p. 38.]

[Footnote 2: Mossman"s New j.a.pan, p. 442.]

[Footnote 3: C. Lanman, The j.a.panese in America, p. 14.]

[Footnote 4: The translation of the whole memorial is given in C.

Lanman"s Leading Men of j.a.pan, p. 87.]

[Footnote 5: The Imperial decree of 1875.]

[Footnote 6: The translation given in C. Lanman, Leading Men of j.a.pan.

p. 47.]

[Footnote 7: See the Appendix of Griffis" The Mikado"s Empire.]