Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, No. 1, translation of a letter from the minister for foreign affairs, announcing that an armistice had been concluded with the Prince of Choshu. I also enclose No. 2, copy of my reply.
The military operations against this Daimio had been attended with varying success, and rather slightly in his favor, as expected. He had found the means of supplying his forces with arms of foreign manufacture, and his acting on the defensive naturally insured him some advantage, of which, it appears, he skilfully availed himself.
Upon the advent of the present Tycoon, it was supposed that a new policy might be consistently inaugurated, and, in this manner, the way be paved for a peaceful solution of the hitherto existing internal difficulties. The present communication of the minister for foreign affairs probably affords an indication that this happy result may eventually be arrived at.
[Page 19]Some time must necessarily elapse before the negotiation for the restoration of harmony may be fairly in progress. A council of Daimios of the empire has been called to assemble at Kioto; but it appears, while a few of these will respond to the call, that the majority are only willing to send their representatives; and others, again, doubtless apprehensive of committing themselves, have as yet withheld their replies to the invitation altogether.
Holding sovereign rights in their respective provinces, several of those Daimios object to the suzerainty virtually assumed by the Tycoon, whose ascendancy, derived even more from his lead in foreign intercourse than from the fact that he is the most powerful among his fellow-Daimios, hardly admits of being legally disputed, if, as in the present instance, he is in perfect accord with the Mikado.
This question of state rights, if it may be so called, was tested by the Prince of Choshu, and though successful in the field thus far, the Tycoon’s, or the central power, has been able to prevent other Daimios from joining him in his rebellion. As the present incumbent of that office appears to be a man of energy and ability, and not wedded to the policy of his predecessor, there is a fair prospect, as there are besides many inducements of a compromise being reached, restoring the homogeneity of the empire on a basis acceptable to our interests.
The obstacles in the way of a satisfactory arrangement of all internal questions are at this moment greatly enhanced by the scarcity of food, and the distress consequently caused among the lower classes referred to in former despatches. Yet these obstacles will soon cease to exist, and I trust I shall soon be able to report to you that all civil commotion in Japan is at an end.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of State, Washington, D. G.