Charles E. DeLong

Charles Egbert DeLong (August 13, 1832 – October 26, 1876) was an American diplomat who served as the Envoy to Japan during the mid-19th century.

Early life DeLong was a native of New York. He relocated with his family to California before he turned twenty. About 1851 he is reported to have been running a store at Foster Bar. He learned Chinese to communicate with the Chinese patrons. By 1853, he owned several gold claims on the Yuba River in Nevada County. While serving as a tax collector, DeLong shot a Chinese man. He was initially convicted, but the conviction was later overturned and he was acquitted. He was elected Deputy Sheriff and admitted to the bar in 1857. The same year, he was elected to the California State Assembly from Yuba County, and served for two terms.

Diplomat in Japan In 1869, DeLong travelled to Japan with his wife Elida and two small children. On November 11, 1869, DeLong presented his credentials to Emperor Meiji of Japan as Resident Minister of the United States Consulate in Japan. In the name of the United States, he recognized the legitimacy of Japan's sovereignty over the Ryukyu Islands. His wife Elida DeLong chaperoned five Japanese girls who were sent to attend American schools as part of the mission. Also in 1871, he negotiated a trade agreement between Hawaii and Japan.

His position was elevated to that of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary on June 9, 1872. He continued to serve in that capacity to October 7, 1873, although his career was marked by considerable friction with his superiors in Washington, who often accused him of overstepping his authority.