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Anton L.C. Portman was a prominent American diplomatic official in [[Bakumatsu]] period Japan.
Born in the Netherlands, Portman first traveled to Japan in [[1853]] as a Dutch language interpreter in service to [[Commodore Perry|Commodore Matthew Perry's]] mission. After playing a role in drafting the [[Kanagawa Convention]], he returned to the United States, where he played a role in receiving the [[1860 Japanese Embassy to the United States]].
Portman returned to Japan the following year ([[1861]]), replacing the assassinated [[Henry Heusken]] as legation secretary. He then served for about one year as interim Resident Minister, overseeing diplomatic matters from [[1865]]/4, when Resident Minister [[Robert H. Pruyn]] departed Japan, until the arrival of his successor, [[Robert Bruce Van Valkenburgh]], in [[1866]]/7. During the intervening time, when in 1865/9 three other countries had warships sail to [[Hyogo|Hyôgo]] to threaten the imperial capital and press for imperial authorization for international treaties, Portman had American ships do so as well, supporting the political legitimacy of the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] and its decisions and policies.
Following the arrival of Van Valkenburgh to Japan, Portman returned to his position as legation secretary. During the [[Boshin War]], he reportedly supported and believed in the possibility of shogunate victory up until the very end.
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==References==
*"[https://kotobank.jp/word/%E3%83%9D%E3%83%BC%E3%83%88%E3%83%9E%E3%83%B3-133763 Portman]," Brittanica kokusai daihyakka jiten.
[[Category:Diplomats|Portman]]
[[Category:Bakumatsu|Portman]]
