Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Third Session of the Fortieth Congress
Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, inclosure No. 1, copy of a proclamation issued by the Mikado, declaring the Tycoon and a [Page 714] number of Daimios and others in rebellion, and depriving them of office and rank. This proclamation was known in the latter part of February, but it was not then sufficiently authenticated, and it now appears to have really been issued.
The Tycoon or late Tycoon Tokugawa Yoshinobu made a statement of the course he intends to pursue to the French minister for the information of himself and colleagues, a copy of which, inclosure No. 2, is herewith transmitted.
Inclosure No. 3 is a garbled translation of a communication informally furnished by agents of the Yedo government to the public prints of this port for general information. It purports to be an expression of public opinion in Yedo.
Inclosure No. 4 is a notice by the English minister, publishing a proclamation of the Mikado’s government, according to which Japanese committing assaults upon foreigners will hereafter not only be punished, but also disgraced. Similar communications were also made by the representatives of France and Holland. Those for the representatives of Prussia, Italy, and myself will have been received at our respective consulates at Hiogo, and will no doubt reach here by the first vessel now expected at an early day, as no intelligence from that quarter has been received at this port since the return of the three representatives first named.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Proclamations by the Mikado.
In consequence of the return to the government by the court and of his Majesty’s coming of age being celebrated this day, the 15th of the first month, (February 8,) his Majesty desires, out of his great benevolence, to make a guiltless country of this empire, and therefore proclaims an amnesty to all unpardoned criminals, except rebels against his Majesty, the benefits of which are to be extended throughout all the provinces without exception; and as his Majesty intends in future to confer rewards and inflict penalties rigidly and impartially, it is hereby ordered that all bear this his will strictly in mind, and see that it is carried out.
February 8, 1868.
Tokugawa Yoshinobu, taking into consideration the inevitable pressure of the political condition of the empire, petitioned to be allowed to return the government, and to resign the office of Shôgun; which permission was accorded to him after an imperial council. But as it was impossible for his Majesty to fulfill his high office unless he possessed dominions and subjects, his Majesty deputed the clans of Owari and Echizen to ask for a material proof of his sincerity. Yoshinobu replied through Owari and Echizen, that he was willing to comply, but that as his retainers and the men of Aidzu and Kuwana objected, he felt anxious lest they should commit some act of violence, and was exerting all his influence to keep them in check. The imperial court, believing that Yoshinobu was really in an obedient frame of mind, decreed that he should be dealt with liberally, without any reference to the offenses of the past. But contrary to expectation, his retiring to the castle of Osaka being merely a lying stratagem, on the 27th of January he led his troops against the imperial capital, actually sending Aidzu and Kuwana, who had been dismissed by his Majesty, to lead the van. It is thus plain that hostilities were begun by him, and therefore that Yoshinobu is in open rebellion. This and the continual deception practiced on the imperial court are traitorous and unprincipled acts, and the patience of the imperial court being entirely exhausted, it is unavoidably necessary to decree his punishment. As his Majesty desires, now that hostilities have broken out, to subdue the rebel hordes at once, and to rescue the nation from its misery Ninnaji No Miya has been appointed [Page 715] commander-in-chief of the subjugating forces. Therefore, all those who have hitherto indulged in sloth and supineness or have hesitated between two courses of action, or even those who have followed the rebels, or have been retainers to them, upon repenting and serving the state with zeal, shall be treated mercifully and employed in the imperial service. If they should distinguish themselves in battle, any petitions they may present on behalf of the Yokugawa family will receive such consideration as they may merit. But those who, in the present state of affairs, disregard the first principles of duty, and plot in concert with the rebels, or afford shelter to them, shall be looked upon as enemies of the Emporer, and visited with severe punishment. Therefore let this be borne strictly in mind.
Note.—The commander-in-chief of the subjugating forces having been appointed, the above orders should, as a matter of course, have been issued at once. But his Majesty had delayed doing so under the impression that this action had been originally caused by the instigations of the violent among his (Yoshinobu’s) retainers. As fresh men, however, were continuously brought up during the four days, from the 27th to 31st January, in spite of the daily defeat of the Osaka forces, his Majesty has been compelled to take the resolution of issuing the above order. Let the retainers, officers, and soldiers of every clan make up their minds and do service for the cause of the state: Tokugawa Yoshinobu, Aidzu of Oshin, (Matsudaira Higo No Kami,) Kuyana of Ise, (Matsudaira Ecchiu No Kami,) Takamatsu of Sanuki, (Matsudaira Sanuki No Kami,) Matsuyama of Iyo, (Matsudaira Iyo No Kami,) Matsuyama of Bitchiu, (Itakura Iga No Kami,) Otaki of Kadzusa, (Matsudaira Buzen No Kami,) Wakadoshiyori Nagai Gemba No Kami, Wakadoshiyori Nami, Hirayama Dzusho No Kami, Takenaka Tango No Kami, Tsukahara Tajima No Kami, Onetsuke Togawa Idzu No Kami, Matsudaira Osumi No Kami, Metsuke Shimmi Sagami No Kami, Shidara Bitchiu No Kami, Enomoto Tsushima No Kami, Makino Tosa No Kami, Okabe Hizen No Kami, Okubô Shiuzen No Kami, Oguri Shimôsa No Kami, Hoshino Bungo No Kami, Takato Kazoya No Kami, Ogasawara Kawachi No Kami, Okubô Chikugo No Kami, Okubô Noto No Kami, Toda Higo No Kami, Takara Kai No Kami.
It is ordered that Yoshinobu be proceeded against, in consequence of his practicing deceit upon the imperial court, committing open rebellion, and resorting to arms. These persons are evidently confederates in his rebellion, and therefore traitors. They are deprived of their office and rank: Aidzu of Oshiu, Kuwana of Ise, Takamatsu of Sanuki, Matsuyama of Iyo, Matsuyama of Bitchiu, Otaki of Kadzusa.
As these persons are undoubtedly accomplices of Yoshinobu. in his rebellion, it is ordered that their yashikis be confiscated and the remains of their forces pursued.
Note.—The remains of their forces are to be sent over to the hostile lines: Obama of Wakasa, (Sakai Wakasa No Kami,) Ogaki of Mino, (Toda Uneme No Sho,) Toba of Shima, (Inagaki Heiyomon,) Miyadzu of Tango, (Matsudaira Iyo No Kami, (Hoki No Kami,) Nobeoka of Fliuga Bingo, (Naita No Kami.)
The above named lie under suspicion, and are, therefore, forbidden to enter Kioto.February 8, 1868.
These clans having hitherto behaved in a manner not calculated to inspire confidence, have been forbidden to enter Kioto; but having, by subsequent acts, somewhat atoned for their offenses, they are ordered to lead the van in the expeditions which the commanders appointed to reduce the rebels will command in the Hokurikedo and Tozan-do, (provinces of the northwest and east coasts;) and if they are successful they will be specially rewarded; and they are ordered to bear this in mind.
Resumé of the statement of the Tycoon to M. Leon Roches on the occasion of his interview with this prince at Yedo on the 20th February, 1868, signed L. R.
In view of the important and unforeseen circumstances which so suddenly changed the political situation in Japan, a due regard for my honor and for my duty towards the foreign powers with whom I have concluded treaties prescribe the obligation to frankly and fully explain the course I have pursued during the recent occurrences, the course I shall henceforward pursue, and the motives which guided me and shall continue to guide my action.
The government which gave peace and prosperity to Japan during a period of two hundred and fifty years, as long as the empire kept aloof from the general movement of nations and declined any relations whatever with foreign powers, has ceased to be a practical government from the day when these relations became binding by treaties.
In vain did my predecessors endeavor to maintain our ancient customs; every day brought fresh proof of the insufficiency of our ancient laws to meet the requirements of the new state of things in which we found ourselves. I accepted the power which had been regularly delegated to me in virtue, of the same law, but with the firm resolve [Page 716] to reform the constitution of the empire so as to bring it as far as possible into harmony with the spirit of the age.
My first duty was to faithfully carry out the treaties and conventions concluded with the treaty powers; I have done so, notwithstanding the obstacles of every description, which it is unnecessary to enumerate. When that duty was performed, I have spontaneously, and without the slightest pressure, placed the power I held from my ancestors into the hands of the Mikado, praying him to consult the nation on the new form of government it might be convenient to adopt.
The Mikado, placed, in accordance with the last will of his illustrious predecessor and father, under the guardianship of a council of regency, accepted my humble proposal, and instructed me to continue at the head of the government of the empire until a decision should have been taken on the subject by the majority of Daimios, who were called to Kioto for the purpose.
I awaited the expressions of the supreme will of the grand council of Tensho, (without any apprehension or after thought,) firmly resolved to remain on legal ground and to submit to the wishes of the nation, consulted in due form, when two or three Daimios, aware that my loyalty and disinterestedness upset their ambitious projects, by means of stratagem and violence took possession of the gates of the imperial palace, forcibly removed the regency council which represented the last Mikado during the minority of the young Emperor, and established a new council, composed of former dignitaries of the imperial court who had been banished therefrom for guilty conduct.
In view of such a violation of the laws and of justice, my allies and my followers prayed my permission to fight the authors of these crimes. I resisted their prayer and returned from Osaka, determined to avoid as much as possible the shedding of Japanese blood.
In the mean time criminals were overrunning the province of Yedo, and even penetrated into our capital, where they committed robberies and murders, frightening our peaceable population; and they found a safe refuge in the palace of Satsuma. The government would have failed in their duty towards the people if they had any longer tolerated such a state of things. The representatives of Satsuma were summoned to deliver the robbers. To this just demand they replied with musket shots. The government was obliged to use force, and among the criminals that were killed or taken prisoners evidence was obtained of the direct participation of that Daimio in the criminal acts that had been punished.
The same measures had to be taken at Hiogo and Osaka against the vessels and residences of Satsuma, in which some of the criminals had taken refuge, and where they had deposited their booty.
At this time I had determined to proceed to Kioto, whither I was called by a large number of Daimios, who for that purpose had sent to me the princes of Owari and Etchizen. My only object was to remove from the imperial precincts the bold men who had taken possession of the young sovereign, and who in his name issued decrees, the legality of which I could not admit.
I had reason to rely upon the co-operation of the great lords of the empire, who had been summoned to deliberate peaceably upon the reorganization of a regular government, and who told me they were extremely grieved to witness acts of violence and rebellion. My forces then left on the 27th of January for Kioto under the command of a Gorogio and Wakatosi Yosi, instructed to precede me to the capital. Apprehending no immediate hostilities, my army had made no arrangements for battle; when it was suddenly attacked by the united forces of Satsuma and Nagato. The occurrences on the following day are of such overwhelming sadness that I am unequal to the task of relating them here. On the one hand heroism and devotedness, on the other hand I have to deplore weakness and treachery.
Against my wishes I felt myself obliged to hasten my return to Yedo, where my presence alone could maintain order and tranquillity. I had taken all measures in my power to defend my castle at Osaka and to retain possession of the city and of Hiogo. My instructions, alas! were not carried out, and those who judge things from appearances may have been mistaken in regard to my actions and my motives.
My mind and my heart are unchanged. As long as I live I shall remain faithful to my duties and towards the sacred sovereign of Japan and towards my people, but I shall energetically maintain the inalienable rights of law and order, and of the Tokugawa family, of which I am the legitimate chief.
I shall carry out the treaties concluded with the foreign powers according to the letter and spirit. I shall improve them in a more liberal sense, and I shall await the, hour when personal ambition shall be superseded by the feelings of patriotism, which must animate all the true sons of Japan.
I have made all personal sacrifices consistent with my desires to avoid the calamities of civil war. There is a limit, however, to forbearance—the limit of right and justice. I shall lay down my life, if need be, to defend them, but I shall always be prepared to listen to my adversaries whenever they shall return to legal courses. Such has been my conduct, and so shall it remain; such are the true and unvarnished facts.
[Page 717]The situation appears to be quite clearly defined. I appeal to the feeling of right and justice by which the foreign powers are animated, and I rely, if not on their co-operation, at least on their esteem and sympathy. The good faith of my actions hitherto, and of my intentions for the future, lead me confidently to hope that this appeal will be favorably received.
A proclamation issued by the voters of Yedo expressing the public and general opinion.
Since the Tycoon met with reverses at Osaka, and his subsequent return to this city, it would seem that he has lost the government of the south, and consequently there exists at the present moment in Japan two governments—north and south. According to the resolution of the Tycoon he will not declare war against the Mikado—the Mikado being the Tycoon’s master—even though he was strongly advised by his followers to take up arms. But we must all understand that the Mikado is a small boy, of indolent character, and what is more, he is a prisoner in the hands of the revolted southern Daimios. The Tycoon should, therefore, rescue him from his captivity and secure his future happiness, and he should never submit to revolt and rebellion. In a word, the Tycoon should demand the reality of his position, not in name, but in fact. Even though war has been declared by the Mikado himself, the Tycoon has the perfect right to resist, for the following reasons:
1. As the protector of our power and prestige, which are important for the constitution of Japan. The Mikado’s government has instructed the princes of In-siyu and Bizen to take up arms against the Tycoon, notwithstanding the Tycoon being the elder brother of In-siyu and a relation of Bizen. The Mikado’s government has also issued similar orders to the Daimios To-do and Hiconi, both being ancient retainers of the Tokugawa family. These orders are contrary to our prestige, which the government should exert itself to maintain. Our prestige being lost and the supreme power falling to the southern Daimios, we shall relapse into a barbarous and disordered condition.
2. For the honor of the Tokugawa family, whose reign has now existed for over three centuries. Is its supreme power to be lost in one battle, and its hereditary merit and honor to be quite destroyed? Every one will say that the Yedo people have no military prestige and that they are afraid of the southern Daimios. What will be said regarding us by foreigners? What will become of the treaties? What will be written in the history of Japan? In every case the Tycoon should declare war and resist the Kioto schemes.
3. For the welfare of the Japanese. Every one knows that Satsuma and Chosin are not good friends—they are only allied to oppose the Tycoon, should they succeed in obtaining the supreme power in the name of the Mikado, who may be sure that civil war will break out very soon among the allies, who know that the confederation is not in power to maintain peace for long.
4. For securing the commercial interest of both Japanese and foreigners. While the cities of Hiogo and Osaka are governed by the confederate Daimios no commerce will exist, for the reason that no one places trust in the said Daimios; for the same reason, at present, in Yokohama the commercial interest as regards foreigners is declining, because the Tycoon will yield that city to the Mikado. Should the Tycoon decide to oppose his enemies, we trust that commerce would once more increase.
As the representatives of the Yedo people we now declare for the Tycoon, and advise him to send an army to Osaka as soon as he can. If the Tycoon declines to accept our votes and follow our advice, we shall no longer call ourselves his subjects, but will call ourselves old friends of the Tokugawa family. In such case we will summon our volunteers and will defend this city, and reoccupy the cities which the Tycoon has lost. Briefly, in a word, we will show our enemies what we are, and what we can do for the Tokugawa clan.
Notification.
The undersigned hereby publishes for general information the annexed translation of a dispatch from the foreign ministers of the Mikado, inclosing a decree which has been issued by his Majesty’s government, relative to attacks upon foreigners.
[Translation.]
Sir: In accordance with the orders of the Sôsai, we beg to forward to you draft of the proclamation which is to be notified, in accordance with the arrangement made with you, throughout the country and exhibited on the public notice boards for the information of Japanese subjects, respecting the infliction of penalties on persons guilty of violence towards foreigners.
We have, &c.,
His Excellency Sir Harry S. Parkes, K. C. B., &c., &c., &c.
[Inclosure.]
It having been decreed, in consequence of the late reformation by which the monarchical government is restored, and in order to the maintenance of just principles by the imperial court, that his Majesty should have relations with foreign countries, the imperial court will direct those relations, and will fulfill the treaties in accordance with the rules of international law. It is therefore ordered that the whole nation do obey his Majesty’s will, and act in accordance therewith.
All persons in future guilty of murdering foreigners, or of committing any acts of violence towards them, will be not only acting in opposition to his Majesty’s express orders, and be the cause of national misfortune, but also committing the heinous offense of causing the national dignity and good faith to suffer in the eyes of the treaty powers, with whom his Majesty has declared himself bound by relations of amity. Such offenders shall be punished in proportion to the gravity of the offense, their names, if they be Samurai, being erased from the roll. And it is hereby rigidly decreed that all persons shall obey this imperial order and abstain from all such acts of violence.March 28, 1868.
Translated by Ernest Satow.