Mr. Seward to Mr. Johnson
Sir: I give you herewith an extract from a dispatch* which has been received from Mr. Van Valkenburgh, United States minister at Japan, of the date of the 14th of June.
Mr. Van Valkenburgh mentions the fact that southern troops are being conveyed in English steamers to the seat of war in Japan, where a great anxiety for re-enforcements is manifested by the chief officers of the Mikado’s government; and that Mr. Van Valkenburgh has called the British minister’s attention to this violation of his neutrality proclamation, but as yet no action appeared to have been taken by him. It appears in the same paper that Mr. Van Valkenburgh takes effectual care to prevent a similar violation of neutrality by United States merchant vessels.
In bringing these facts to the notice of her Majesty’s government, I think it necessary to state that Mr. Van Valkenburgh’s communication contains no expression of complaint or of distrust or of unkindness in respect to the British minister. No such sentiment is indulged by this department. The interests of all the treaty powers in regard to the maintenance of neutrality in Japan are regarded as identical here, as I am quite sure they are regarded in London. Hitherto their representatives have concurred in a policy of neutrality with wonderful unanimity. What is desired is that the harmony which has prevailed in their councils may be continued to the end of the civil war.
I will thank you to give a copy of this dispatch, and of the extract from Mr. Van Valkenburgh’s dispatch, to Lord Stanley, confidentially, for the use of his government. In doing so, you will say to him that if he shall think it proper to make inquiries on the subject in Japan it will be pleasant for us if such inquiries can properly be made without reference to Mr. Van Valkenburgh’s dispatch.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Reverdy Johnson, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
- For this inclosure see dispatch No. 59, of June 14, from the United States minister to Japan.↩