Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.
No. 50.]
Legation of the United States,
Yokohama,
May 25, 1868.
Sir: In my dispatch No. 38, of the 14th ultimo,
I had the honor to inform you of the demands made on the late Tycoon on
behalf of the
[Page 736]
Mikado, and in
my No. 41 I reported the arrival at Kanagawa of Hashimoto No Shosho,
then on his way to Yedo.
This dignitary, on the 24th ultimo, reached the quarters prepared for him
at the temple of Ikigami, at about three miles on this side of that
capital; some two days later, Yanagiwara, another dignitary of the same
rank, also arrived there.
The Mikado’s troops already in Yedo, with the exception of a few men who
were murdered in broad daylight, remained unmolested. The feeling
against them was represented as intense; yet there appeared to be a
power somewhere to control it, as there was no outbreak of any kind.
On the 15th ultimo the Mikado arrived from Kioto at Osaka, where he still
remains. The British minister sailed for that city, to present to the
Mikado a letter of credence received from his government, and he is
daily expected to return to this port.
In concert with all my colleagues it was unanimously determined to remain
here for the present, as our interests are in this part of Japan, and
the question that agitates this country will have to be solved in
Yedo.
The two dignitaries named entered the castle in that capital in state on
the 26th ultimo, for the purpose of presenting the Mikado’s demands in a
formal manner, and it appears they returned to their temple at Ikigami
with the renewed assurance that those demands would be complied
with.
The late Tycoon stipulated, however, for his withdrawal to the castle of
Mito, near the east coast, whither he accordingly proceeded on the 2d
instant, accompanied by a body guard of only sixteen hundred men. At a
short distance from Yedo this escort appears to have been increased, and
he is now reported to remain in that castle with a force of between five
and six thousand well-armed men.
When it became evident, to the great surprise of many, even among the
best informed natives, that no resistance would be offered by the late
Tycoon, Arisugawa No Miya, the Sosai, a sort of grand vizier of the
Mikado, who had remained in a castle to the westward of the Haconi Pass,
began moving in the direction of Yedo, where he arrived two weeks
ago.
The ladies of the court, in the mean time, vacated the castle; the
consort of the late Tycoon, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, with her suite, moved to
the palace of Mito, at Yedo, and the dowager of his predecessor, the
sister of the present Mikado, with her suite, established herself in the
palace of the Prince Tayasu of the Tokugawa clan, also in that
capital.
In compliance with the demands, it appears the late Tycoon issued orders
on the 6th instant to his army, navy, and treasury to surrender, and on
the 11th instant the necessary documents to that effect were said to
have been exchanged. The orders, however, were all disobeyed; the army
scattered, taking their arms with them; the ships of war got up steam
and left the Yedo anchorage, and the treasury is reported to have been
found quite empty.
The army, being disbanded, at once proceeded, in accordance with
established custom, to set up for themselves, and on the 12th instant
intelligence was already received at Yedo of a rising of Ronins some
eighty miles to the north of that capital, and of a battle having been
fought which lasted two days, and in which the Mikado’s troops were
reported to have been defeated. A large portion of the Mikado’s forces,
the whole of which is variously estimated at between twenty and thirty
thousand men, had been sent north in squads in every direction to claim
submission to his flag. During the afternoon of that day
[Page 737]
reinforcements began to be dispatched to
the scene of conflict, and almost daily since then rumors of fights and
skirmishes have been received here, nearly all of which are reported to
have been adverse to the troops of the new government.
I transmit herewith inclosure No. 1, translation of the Mikado’s
ultimatum, attached to which is translation of a petition in reply by
the principal retainers of the late Tycoon, also named Keiki. This name
is simply a different pronunciation of the same character, signifying
Yohinobu.
In this document you will perceive those retainers, acting in behalf and
as the representatives of the Tokugawa interest, claim that the
possession of the eight provinces of the Quanto, (eastern Japan,) and
the provinces of Sumga, Totomi, and Mikawa shall be confirmed.
These eight provinces are Musashi, Sagami, Awa, Kadzusa, Simosa, Hitatsi,
Kodzké, and Simodzké, in all, with the three before named, eleven
provinces, the property of the Tokugawa clan, of which the late Tycoon
virtually remains the chief. The revenue of this property is officially
given in the peerage of Japan at eight millions of koku, a measure of
rice of about two hundred and sixty-six English pounds, and also used
generally in accounts.
Next to Tokugawa the Kaga clan ranks in wealth, and the income of the
Prince of Kaga is a fraction over one million of koku, or about one-eighth of that of Tokugawa.
The three great Daimios who act in behalf of the Mikado are Satsuma,
Choshin, and Tosa, whose revenues are only 770,800, 369,000, and 242,000
koku, respectively.
It is quite evident, therefore, whatever power the Mikado may assume and
succeed in retaining, that unless the Tokugawa clan be shorn of most of
its property, the chief of this clan will remain by far the most
powerful personage in this empire. It was always the Tycoon who supplied
the revenue of the Mikado and his court, and the high office of Tycoon
or Shongung now having been abolished, the Mikado’s revenue is no longer
furnished by Tokugawa, but by the three Daimios above named, to whom
other nobles of more or less power have allied themselves. Among those a
few owed fealty to the Tycoon and betrayed him.
The present crisis or revolution has clearly revealed the utter
rottenness of the Japanese system of government. Treachery cropped up
everywhere, and unless the Daimios who are with the Mikado are better
than those who were formerly with the Tycoon, which is very doubtful,
the Mikado, should the tide turn against his flag, may be betrayed in
his turn.
The Tycoon, by complying with Mikado’s demands, may have shown a great
deal of foresight. He is reputed extremely intelligent, in advance of
his countrymen, and the best-informed person on the affairs of this
country. He has no debt, and his treasury was sound. The last years’
taxes had been collected by his officers, and as no taxes are due before
the rice crop will be gathered, viz, in November next, the occupation in
the interim of one or more provinces by Daimios’ men does not yet
involve any loss of revenue.
On the other hand, the southern Daimios who have the control of the
Mikado are not apparently in so favorable a situation. Choshin and Tosa
have only slightly exceeded their revenue. The case of the Prince of
Satsuma, however, appears to be much more serious. This prince is known
to be heavily in debt, principally to English merchants, for supplies of
ships, arms, and munitions of war, &c. The island Sakwea,
[Page 738]
belonging to him, is said to
have been mortgaged to those merchants, and if the Mikado’s government,
as now constituted, should not remain a de facto government, or Satsuma
become unable to maintain the controlling influence he succeeded in
assuming, this Daimio may become insolvent. Every day’s delay,
therefore, while it does not much affect the Tokugawa clan, adds to the
embarrassments of the southern coalition, of which Satsuma still holds
the lead.
Among the northern Daimios the Princes of Sendai, Sakai, and Aidzu are
the most powerful; and the latter is particularly prominent for his
reputed unswerving fidelity to the Tycoon’s or Tokugawa cause. This
Daimio has been restrained thus far from actively participating in the
strife. The Prince of Sendai was ordered by the Mikado to attack and
subdue him, but this Prince, instead of complying with the order,
replied in a memorial, a translation of which I herewith transmit,
(inclosure No. 2.)
In this temperate and respectful memorial Sendai remonstrates with the
Mikado against a sentence being passed on one who never had a trial, and
in the absence even of specific charges; and he further advises the
adoption of a policy of moderation.
It is my impression that even if the southern coalition should succeed in
subduing the eleven provinces of Tokugawa, they will never be able to
hold and rule so large a territory for any length of time. There may be
much more treachery, and considerable accession to their forces from
some of the Tokugawa chiefs, but many men of influence have already
committed themselves to a course of resistance from which there is no
retreat. Many others have everything to lose and nothing to gain from a
change of government of their clan, and the members of all these are
likely to prove sufficient to prevent a peaceable transfer of the most
productive portion of Japan from being consummated.
Enough has been witnessed to prove that a government in Japan under any
other than the Mikado as chief is now an impossibility; and it is almost
equally certain that the chief of the Tokugawa clan will remain the most
powerful personage in this empire. As long as these two powers remain
antagonistic, I beg to submit that our true policy is to be most
careful, in view of maintaining a strict neutrality, to take no
unnecessary action calculated to give umbrage to either party, to
maintain our treaty rights with the local authorities at the open ports
for the present, and to guard against suspicion of partiality in favor
of any one connected with this civil strife.
While this course limits the foreign representatives, to some extent, to
a policy of observation only, I feel sure that at an early day its
soundness will be fully vindicated. The British minister saw fit at once
to deliver a renewed letter of credence to the Mikado at Osaka; the
other representatives, like myself, last year delivered our letters of
credence to the Tycoon, at that time the de facto
chief of the government of Japan. To deliver a new letter of credence to
the Mikado appears a useless ceremony, not likely to afford much
satisfaction to this sovereign, while it may unnecessarily excite the
antipathy of the late Tycoon or Tokugawa, and his adherents, who, if
they should determine to use the power still possessed, may soon be in a
position greatly to influence, for good or for evil, the intercourse of
the treaty powers with this country.
On the 18th instant I visited Yedo in the Monocacy, and remained there
until the 22d. Edzure Kanga No Kami, a governor for foreign affairs,
called on me at the legation, and from him I learned, in confirmation of
what had reached me previously, that the Tycoon or Tokugawa civil
officers transacted their business in Yedo as usual, and without the
slightest interference on the part of the Mikado’s officers. With the
[Page 739]
exception of but little,
that had been stolen, the Tycoon’s property had remained intact. Reports
of fights at the north reached Yedo daily. Arisugawa No Miya was in the
castle with a guard of only twenty men. Prince Tayasu, one of the
Gosaukes, or families eligible for the Tycoonate, was now the chief of
the Tokugawa clan, and rice from the Tycoon’s stores was being
distributed among the poor by his own officers. If only the Prince of
Aidzu, the governor said, would remain quiet and abstain from fighting,
there was a prospect of an early settlement of all existing difficulties
without further bloodshed.
There were only about one thousand men of the Mikado’s army left in Yedo;
and the governor further informed me that four—that is, one-half—of the
least serviceable steamers of the late Tycoon had been transferred to
the Mikado. On my return from Yedo I noticed that four steamers were
flying the Mikado’s flag; the officers and men, however, had not been
changed, and all were still in the Tokugawa pay.
At first the Ronins had no organization. They now fight under the flag of
Gongen Sama, the founder of the Tokugawa dynasty, the great lawgiver of
Japan and lineal descendant of one of the great Mikados, and whose
memory has always been held, even by the Mikados, in profound
veneration. With the immense prestige thus acquired by the Tokugawa men,
a settlement on a basis honorable to both contending factions may now
reasonably be hoped for at an early day.
On the 9th instant two Mikado’s commissioners for foreign affairs,
Higashi Kuze Jijio and Hijen Jijiu, arrived at Yokohama; and on the
11th, the governor of Kanagawa having peaceably transferred all public
property to them, those officers, together with two others who are
acting as governors of this port, entered upon their duties, and the
foreign marines and soldiers were all withdrawn.
I transmit inclosures No. 3 and 4, copies of letters addressed to
Commander Carter, the senior naval officer, and the consul at this
port.
The legations are all temporarily established here, and the most perfect
unanimity prevails among them.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
The Mikado’s ultimatum.
The deceitful conduct of Keiki towards the imperial court, ending at
last in the most infamous actions, has deeply grieved the imperial
bosom. In consequence, his Majesty has made war upon him in person,
and forces have been sent against him by sea and land from all
sides. Upon this, Keiki becoming repentant and submissive, his
protestations of sincerity were admitted. His Majesty, with
superabundant clemency, has therefore decreed the accompanying
terms, which must be respectfully accepted. By the 3d of May these
conditions must be fully carried out. The time allowed being
perfectly ample, no petition or prayers will be listened to. His
Majesty is fully determined to maintain his authority as well as his
clemency. Let there be instant acceptance, and no disputing.
Article I. Since the twelfth month of last
year (January, 1868) Keiki has practiced deceit upon the imperial
court. In aggravation of this he has used arms against the imperial
capital, and for several days continued to fire against the imperial
standard. The government forces were dispatched to punish him for
these flagrant offenses. Upon this he displayed a sincerely obedient
and submissive temper, and acknowledged his fault. His ancestors, in
governing the country for more than two hundred years, have
performed much good service, and the late Dainagon of Mito* also for
many years
[Page 740]
diligently
served the imperial cause. His Majesty is therefore graciously
pleased to take these things into account, and the following
conditions being faithfully performed, he will extend his clemency,
so that the name and family of Tokugawa shall continue, and Keiki’s
sentence of death being commuted, he shall retire to Mito and live
there in seclusion:
Art. II. The castle to be evacuated and
handed over to the Owari clan.
Art. III. Vessels of war and fire-arms to
be surrendered; a suitable proportion of these shall afterwards be
returned.
Art. IV. Retainers resident in the castle
to retire outside and remain in seclusion.
Art. V. The persons who assisted Keiki in
his rebellion are guilty of a flagrant offense. They deserve the
severest punishment, but by his Majesty’s special clemency their
lives are spared. A report must be made showing that they have been
appropriately punished. The imperial court. will deal with those who
possess revenues above ten thousand koku, (i.
e. Daimios.)
We believe that these terms will be accepted by the Tycoon, who
performs the part more specially by his leaving Yedo to-day. He will
be accompanied by his body-guard, composed of the two bodies called
Yû-geki-toi and Sei-yei-tai.
It is worthy of notice that no mention is made in the above ultimatum
of the amount of revenue to be allotted to the Tokugawa family. We
have good reason to believe that this omission has excited a good
deal of suspicion among the retainers of the ex-Tycoon as to the
genuineness of the Mikado’s declaration that the clan shall be
allowed to exist in the future, especially as the third article
calls for the surrender of those weapons on which they rely as a
means of making their rights understood. Accordingly we expect to
hear that Article III is evaded to a great extent.
[Translation.]
Reply of the retainers of the Tokugawa clan to
the Mikado’s ultimatum.
Military weapons are instruments of the greatest importance, not only
for holding the castle and territories, but also as being the basis
of the protection of the empire. We have the honor to request that
this article may be left in abeyance for a short time.
The castle of Yedo is the center from which the divine ancestor put
an end to war and directed the government. If possession of this be
lost to [our chief] he is cut off from what is of vital importance
to him. We have the honor to beg that possession of this may, by a
most liberal exercise, be left to him.
The eight provinces of Kuanto, Sumga, Totomi, and Mikawa were
bestowed by Heaven and man upon the divine ancestor, as the rewards
of his exploits and labors, and are held under that title We have
the honor to beg that by a liberal exercise of grace the possession
of them may be bestowed forever upon the person who is to perpetuate
the name of the family.
The body of retainers venture boldly to express their inmost
thoughts, and to present a humble petition on two important points.
With respect to one of these, they are unwilling to express
themselves verbally or in writing; the other is, that they know not
where they shall die. The gist of it is this: By the occurrences of
the first month our Naifu (the ex-Taikun’s title) lost the
multiplied favors [of the Mikado.] The devotion which consumed his
entrails became of no avail; censures were passed upon him by
everybody; and the mutual relation of benefits and duties which had
existed between the civil and military classes for three hundred
years were violently interrupted. In what words will Heaven and man
describe this? His memorial resigning his office, and that which
sought to purify [the Mikado’s] surroundings, were but acts of
unselfishness and patriotism, of disesteem of self and respect for
the Emperor. How could Keiki forget the claims of his country? How
could he forget his prince? Though men should call this rebellion,
the gods of heaven and earth still gloriously exist; the sun and
moon have not yet fallen to the ground; a man may be slandered by a
hundred tongues, but how can the gods be deceived? How can Heaven be
deceived?
The order to punish proceeds from the Emperor, but the person to be
punished is our prince. Shall we obey the imperial will, or shall we
protect our prince?
This is why we know not where we shall die. Though the imperial
decision now pronounced is called a liberal sentence, in fact it is
next door to destruction, since we know not where to place the
person of our prince, and his retainers may not hold possession of
his castle and territories. How can we retainers keep silent and
quietly look on at this juncture? Though we may be overcome by
superior force, and oppressed without good reason, a thousand years
hence, when men have fixed their opinion and the rights of the case
are plainly understood, what will virtuous men say of us? Will they
call us human beings or brute beasts?
Our great Japan is the divine country, founded by the sun goddess.
This title is given to it because the Emperor in ruling the people
makes tenderness for their welfare
[Page 741]
his guiding principle, because subjects in
respecting their superiors regard fidelity as of great importance.
Now that the imperial forces have come eastward, and the enormous
merits of our divine ancestor have disappeared like bubbles on the
surface of water, when the Taijin (Shôgunate) is in danger of
destruction, were there none found to share the misfortune of the
country (i. e. the Tokugawa clan) it would
prove that not a single dutiful child not one faithful servant,
existed. Could it be said that the disgrace attached to the
retainers of Musashi alone? It could not be called erroneous to say
that such an approach to entire disappearance of tender care and
fidelity showed that the country no longer existed. This is that
unspeakable thing which the retainers have dared to say, and their
ignorance of the place where they shall die arises from this
also.
Who does not reverence the Emperor? Who does not fear death? Who does
not love life? Then what is the reason that, casting aside fear of
death and love of life, we have dared to say what we would have left
unsaid? It is that for own nationality we cannot bear to rebel
against the spirit of the sun goddess, and for our office we cannot
abandon our fidelity.
Right principles are most important for a country, and fidelity is
its most precious possession. How can we act like brute beasts with
the azure heaven and bright sun over our heads?
The Emperor is a god he is our father and our mother. Would that,
exercising his bright and all-pervading tenderness and love, he
would deign to look upon this lament, which we can present to no one
else, and think of the meritorious deeds of our ancestor and
founder, Iyeyasio; would that by a special and extraordinary act of
grace he would grant our petition, so that the family name being
perpetuated, faithful service might be eternally rendered and the
mutual relations of favor and fidelity between prince and servant be
continually carried out.
The retainers in writing this have mingled many tears with the ink,
without fear of death, but with profound respect. Memorialized by
the body of servants and retainers of Musashi.
[Translation.]
[From the
Yedo Home and Foreign News of May 5,
1868.]
Memorial of the Prince of Sendai.
Orders have been received in writing to the effect that, as a decree
has been issued commanding the imperial forces to proceed by the
Tokaido, Toryando, and Hokurikudo, to punish the treason of
Tokugawa, the clans of Mutsu and Dewa, bearing well in mind the
respect they owe to their sovereign, must consult together and make
up their minds to assist the imperial arms in the work of
subjugation; and further that,as Yoho* of Aidzu assisted Tokugawa * * * in his rebellion,
and committed flagrant treason himself by firing at the imperial
banner, and is therefore to be attacked.
Your servant, Yoshnkuni,† is ordered to attack the castle of
Aidzu with his own unsupported forces, and report a victory with all
speed.
These orders have been received with the greatest respect.
Though Wakamatsul‡ is but an isolated castle of the northeast,
that I, Yoshikuni, should be ordered to attack it with my own
unsupported forces is a tribute to my military feelings which I
cannot but be grateful for. I have issued a proclamation to my clan,
and placed everything in readiness to march, so as to be ready to
join in the expedition with the imperial forces as soon as the time
comes.
My clan, however, being situated in a remote part of the country, on
the shore of the Northern Sea, with long roads intervening between
it and the capital, we do not understand with distinctness what are
the views implied by the decisions of the court, and we learn the
state of affairs in the home provinces by mere report, so that it is
very difficult to ascertain the truth. In venturing, therefore, to
submit the opinion of a remote and ignorant person, I humbly beg
pardon for my presumption; but since free expression of opinion is
permitted, I feel that I should be wanting in the duty of a subject
if I were to abstain from giving utterance to my views; and I give
these below without standing upon ceremony.
In the present return to monarchical institutions and reformation of
imperial counsels, I venture to suppose that this important measure
of putting the forces of the empire in motion to conquer Kuanto has
not been decided on without mature consideration on your Majesty’s
part, but at the same time this should not be done unless the
popular voice is in favor of it.
[Page 742]
The imperial manifesto declares that some time ago Tokugawa received
your Majesty’s orders to go to court upon your Majesty’s business.
He therefore proceeded to Kioto, with Aidzu and Kuwana as his
advance guard. On the road to Kioto these two clans opened fire upon
the imperial forces. That for this flagrant act of treason and
rebellion, by which he became a traitor to your Majesty, your
Majesty had appointed a commander-in-chief to punish him. But the
manifesto of the retainers of Tokugawa * * * declares that, as the
advanced guard approached the barrier gate, the Satsuma clan opened
fire on them, and that they were thus forced into a fight; and it is
reported that it was difficult, in the sudden breaking out of the
disturbance, to ascertain distinctly who fired first. Your servant,
Yoshikuni, does not mean for one moment to express a doubt of the
truth of your Majesty’s manifesto, nor to believe that of Yosinoba,
(Tycoon,) but as it is so difficult to determine for certain which
fired first, men feel considerable suspicion. This is reason the
first, why the popular mind is unsettled.
It is hardly necessary to remind your Majesty that the ancestor of
the Tokugawa put an end to several centuries of intestine wars, and
that by his valuable instrumentality peace and a return to just
principles were secured. For more than two hundred years war has
slept and peaceful arts have been cultivated, so that the empire has
enjoyed perfect tranquillity. By the lapse of time the military
prowess (of the Shogoon’s followers) became gradually less and less,
until in 1853, and in subsequent years, the foreign barbarians
flocked to the country in rapid succession, so that the popular mind
became disturbed. It is possible that Yosinobu (Tycoon) failed to
pursue the right course and committed many irregularities; but
having lately returned the governing power to the imperial court in
order that, by the consolidation of the government, and by pursuing
an impartially just and magnanimous course, he might secure the
tranquillity of the empire, how could he be plotting to rebel
against the imperial court? This doubt is widely entertained, and
forms the second reason why the popular mind is unsettled.
At the present moment the constitution is returning to its ancient
monarchical form, and the government and laws are being remodeled;
every one hopes to see the imperial fortunes attracting the
admiration of the people, and taking the place of Heaven in giving
them a principle to follow; whilst your Majesty, not only
establishing a policy which shall last for all time, but loving the
people as your children, they on their side would look up to you as
a parent, and all men would fall into their proper places.
Therefore, to put the forces of the empire in motion and to plunge
the innocent populace into the depths of misery and affliction is
certainly most lamentable and deplorable, and there is scarcely one
man but doubts this being really the will of our young sovereign.
This is the third reason why the popular mind is unsettled.
It is reported that, since Yosinobu left [Osaka] he has remained
quiet and submissive. Some years ago the retainers of Mori Daizen No
Daibu actually fired at the palace. Through an accidental mistake,
he was stigmatized as a traitor; but the truth having become clearly
manifest, he was restored to his rank and permitted to enter Kioto
by a liberal act of grace. And therefore, if your Majesty,
disregarding the services of his ancestor, fixes on Tokugawa the
brand of traitor when it is merely a question of who fired first,
not only will the clans be alienated, but the common people must
disapprove of your Majesty’s actions. Most men share this feeling,
and this is the fourth reason why the popular mind is unsettled.
The intercourse with the foreign barbarians is daily increasing, and
there are ten or more countries of them at the present moment. If
the forces of the empire are now put in motion and the state thrown
into internal confusion, they will not sit quietly by and merely
look on. What actions may they not commit at the command of their
sovereigns? The national disgrace will be shared by all the nation,
and men will not only be full of doubt, but also be animated by
fear, alarm, and sorrow. This is the fifth reason why the popular
mind is unsettled.
Taking all these things into consideration, I cannot help thinking
that if your Majesty will delay for a short time the dispatch of the
forces of the imperial court, and take the unbiased opinion of all
the clans upon the subject of the condemnation of * * * and
determine to act upon impartial consideration, unaffected by party
feelings, he (the ex-Tycoon) will quietly submit, without its being
necessary to fatigue the imperial forces. This is what I desire
humbly to present my private petition for. The ancient saying makes
the display of virtue, and not the display of military force, a test
of the virtues of a sovereign. Haishinko’s just decisions, which won
the approbation of men, are also cited as an example worthy of
imitating, and I wish, therefore, that your Majesty, making such
objects your aim, would act so as to make this return to the ancient
form of monarchical institutions a thing to last forever. Your
servant, Yoshikuni, begs that your Majesty will take these his
inmost feelings into profound consideration. Should your Majesty not
do so, but, in a sudden fit of anger, and regardless of the
approbation or disapproval of the people, make war without
consideration, the concurrence of the clans will be by no means
certain. The empire will be
[Page 743]
split up. The men of rank will take up positions everywhere, and
a state of confusion will ensue worse, ten times, than that of
Keicho and Gemva, (the period immediately ensuing on Taikosama’s
death,) and the barbarians, taking advantage of the opportunity,
will cause troubles such as have never been heard of in the empire
before. This will be changing good fortune into bad, and be the
worst possible policy. Your servant, Yoshikuni, grieves over this in
secret, and though he is prepared to find that his foolish opinions
and arguments are disregarded, he feels that, to be silent when
there is such good opportunity for advancing the imperial fortunes,
would be a great want of fidelity on his part. He has, therefore,
presumed to exceed the privileges of his position, and to offer
these considerations, with the most profound veneration, March,
1868.
Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Commander S. P. Carter.
Legation of the United States in
Japan, Yokohama,
May 11, 1868.
Sir: At a conference held this day by the
representatives of all treaty powers now here, with Higashi Kuze
Saki No Shosho and Nabisima Hizen Jijiu, the commissioners for
foreign affairs of his Majesty the Mikado, at their request, and
upon their taking upon his Majesty’s government sole charge and
protection of this town, it was unanimously agreed that the soldiers
and marines heretofore doing duty at the several posts within the
town should be withdrawn on the 12th instant, at four o’clock p.
m.
You will, therefore, please withdraw your marines from the post by
them now occupied, at the time above designated.
I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Minister Resident
of the United States in Japan.
Commander S. P. Carter, Senior U. S. Naval Officer, Com’d’g U. S.
Steamer Monocacy.
Mr. Van Valkenburgh to General J. Stahel.
Legation of the United States in
Japan, Yokohama,
May 11, 1868.
Sir: I am officially informed that the
government of this town will to-morrow pass into the hands of the
officers appointed by his Majesty the Mikado. At four o’clock in the
afternoon of that day all the foreign soldiers and marines will be
withdrawn from the posts now temporarily occupied by them, and the
town will be under the protection of the Mikado’s government.
Business will be transacted as usual at all the government offices,
and the name of the officers appointed to transact the business
heretofore conducted by the governors will be announced in a few
days.
I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Minister Resident
of the United States in Japan.
General J. Stahel, United States Consul, Kanagawa.
