Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.
Sir: The Stonewall arrived here on the 24th instant, in excellent condition. Her arrival at this juncture created great commotion among the Japanese. A few days previous it had been made known that she would for the present remain under our flag, but as she came in under Japanese colors, officers of the Mikado’s forces, in ignorance of the fact, at once came on board protesting against her proceeding to Yedo. Officers of the Tycoon also promptly came down, but immediately returned on receiving the renewed assurance that, in view of the strict neutrality to be observed, the Stonewall would remain under the American flag until pending questions, should have been settled, and peace re-established, or until further instructions in regard to her delivery should have been received from you.
If she could have been delivered, all the money due on her would have been promptly paid by the Tycoon’s government; but as this government has to all appearances entirely ceased to exist, and the new or Mikado’s government has not yet taken possession of Yedo, where at present negotiations are being carried on, which may probably, as I have been informed, lead to an amicable settlement of existing complications, I find myself compelled, as no other alternative is presented, of keeping the Stonewall in this port, and provide for her expenditure while here.
Commander Brown’s letter of credit, I have been informed by him, having been exhausted, and being obliged to purchase coal at Honolulu, he drew on me for $6,752 58 Mexican currency, at ten days’ sight.
I have not yet been able to examine her accounts, but will do so as soon as this mail shall have left to-morrow morning.
According to Commander Brown’s estimate, between $12,000 and $13,000 (Mexican) will be required to provide for the ship, her officers and crew, until the 1st of July next; and I have now the honor to inform you, as bills on Washington are at present not negotiable at this port, that I have drawn this day on Messrs. Baring Brothers & Co., London, at four months’ sight, for £4,416 13s. 4d. sterling, making, at the rate of 4s. 5d. sterling, as per voucher herewith, marked inclosure No. 1, a sum of $20,000 Mexican currency, which amount has been placed with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation at this place, to the credit of this legation for Stonewall account.
I shall advise Messrs. Baring Brothers & Co. accordingly, by the English mail, to leave here within a week, and I have now to request that you will be pleased to order those gentlemen by telegraph to honor this draft.
All bills of the ship shall be carefully examined, and no money be paid on her account except on duly authenticated vouchers.
I have farther to request that you will cause all the accounts of the Japanese to be made out in the usual form, and to be sent to me.
The former commissioners, Ono Tomogoro and Matsmoto Jüdayü, are no longer in office, and their papers are not sufficiently clear to enable me to effect a settlement and collect all the money due to the United States from the Japanese government.
I trust you will be pleased to approve of my action, and to consider that I had absolutely no choice in the course to be pursued.
No money can be collected from the Japanese at this moment; the [Page 731] ship can only be delivered to the Japanese government under such instruction as I may receive from you; and until there shall be such a government, this ship will have to remain here unless otherwise directed; and such further instructions I hope will have reached me before I can hear from you in reply to this, and by the steamer which is due here in the latter part of June next.
I transmit herewith inclosure No. 2, copy of letter of Commander Brown, announcing the arrival of the Stonewall under his command, and inclosure Nos. 3 and 4, copies of two letters by me to Commander Brown.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.