Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.
No. 57.]
Legation of the United States,
Yokohama,
June 4, 1868.
Sir: Since writing my dispatch No. 50, of the
25th ultimo, but little of political importance, as far as known, has
transpired.
I have the honor to transmit, No. 1, a translation from the last number
of the Kioto or official gazette, giving a petition of the naval and
military forces of Tokugawa, and also a letter from the commanders of
the coalition under the Mikado’s flag at Yedo to the representative of
that family in that capital, upbraiding him for the non-delivery of the
ships of war.
I also transmit inclosure No. 2, translation of a letter addressed to the
supreme authority, distinctly stating that, unless the late Tycoon be
recalled from exile, and his former power as chief of the great Tokugawa
clan be restored, no peace can be expected.
This letter is written by an officer eminent for ability, and who to the
fullest extent enjoyed the confidence of the representatives of the
hostile coalition as well as that of the late Tycoon, his fidelity to
whom, though often suspected of late, is now well proven.
It may be presumed that the moment for writing this letter has been well
chosen, and that the suggestion would not have been made unless the
writer felt quite sure of there being no other alternative than
acceptances. Since the renewal of the conflict on the 9th ultimo there
have daily been skirmishes and engagements, and in nearly all of those
have the forces of the new government been defeated.
Reports reached here of consignments having been made to eminent
personages of heads captured in battle, and of frequent poisoning of
enemies, the assassination of messengers, &c., &c., all the
horrors of civil war let loose upon this country. The common people,
apparently quite unconcerned hitherto, now seem in many places to
prepare for action in self-defense.
The Mia-Sama, or great temple lord of Yedo, has been urged by the chiefs
of the coalition under the Mikado’s flag to remove to Kioto. His
departure has been delayed, the people en masse petitioning him to
remain.
[Page 752]
This high dignitary is strongly in favor of the Tokugawa interest, and
his influence in Yedo is very great. To remain accords with his
inclination, but the chiefs above mentioned may attempt his removal by
force, when, it is said, the people in the most respectful manner will
block the way; and further, that if force to disperse them be resorted
to, they will, under the leadership of the Yedo firemen, take up such
arms as they can find and resist. The attitude of the people on this
question is reported as quite determined, and may probably deter the
military from attempting such a flagrant breach of custom.
From the north the reports are that the coalition against the new or
Mikado’s government is steadily gaining strength and solidity, though
still held back by the influence of the late Tycoon from taking the
field. The Prince of Seudai received orders from the Mikado’s government
to attack the Prince of Aidzu, his friend and neighbor; the time granted
for the necessary preparations having expired, it is reported Seudai
began to move. According, however, to a previous agreement made between
these two northern Daimios, all that Aidzu needed, such as artillery,
small-arms, blankets, &c., &c., was sent to the front by Seudai,
who then opened fire with blank cartridges. Aidzu’s soldiers then
advanced with a rush, those of Seudai fled. Aidzu in this manner became
well provided, and Seudai is now supposed to be powerless to repeat the
attack.
In the evening of that day the chiefs of those two Daimios forces met at
supper, and then agreed upon an account of the engagement to be sent to
the Mikado; such account may thus be looked for within about a week.
By the mail from Nagasaki and Hiogo, which arrived here late on the day
before yesterday, no intelligence of any importance was received from
those places. The Mikado is reported to have returned to Kioto.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient
servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation from the Kioto Gazette,
No. 11.]
Reports from Yedo.
Account of the entrance of the imperial envoys into the castle, and
communication made by them, oh 26th April, of the following
ultimatum:
Article I. Since the twelve 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, 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 Reiki’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 firearms to be
surrendered; a suitable proportion of these shall afterwards be
returned.
Art. IV. Retainers resident in the castle
to retire outside, to remain in seclusion.
Art. V. The persons who assisted Keiki in
his rebellion are guilty of flagrant offense;
[Page 753]
they deserve the severest punishment,
but by his Majesty’s special clemency their lives are spared. A
report must be made of those punished. The imperial court will deal
with those who possess revenues above ten thousand koku, (i. e., daimirs.)
The document contained these terms, and was handed over by Hashimoto
and Yanagrivara in the Olivoma (chief hall of audience in the
castle) to Sayasu Chiunagon, and the following verbal announcement
was added:
“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 permitted. His Majesty, with
superabundant clemency, has therefore decreed these 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 petitions or prayers will
be listened to. His Majesty is fully determined that his dignity and
clemency shall both be maintained. Let there be instant acceptance,
and no disputing.”
He (Tayasu) answered that he received with the highest respect the
orders thus communicated to him; that he would inform Keiki of them,
and that acceptance should be given in.
The above account of the entrance of the imperial envoys into the
castle yesterday, and the reading of the terms, is communicated for
your information.
Since it is, however, impossible to predict that no acts of violence
will be committed, (by deserters from Tokugawa, &c.,) the
different camps will keep watch and be on the alert, mounting guard
with great vigilance.
(Signed,)
LIEUTENANT GENERAL OF THE BAN. [seal.]
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE BAN. [seal.]
April 27.
On the 28th, the terms offered having been communicated to Keiki,
Tayasu Chiunagon sent up his acceptance of them. On the 3d May, two
thousand infantry (of Tokugawa) deserted.
On the same day all the forces on the Tokaido advanced and took over
possession of the castle, and of military weapons. The castle was
placed in charge of the Owari clan.
On the same day, at dawn, Keiki left for Mito.
On the evening of the same day five hundred infantry (of Tokugawa)
deserted.
On the night of the same day, more than one thousand infantry
encamped at Kudanzaka were intrusted to the clans leading the van on
the Tokaido.
Petition presented by the naval and
military forces of the Tokugawa family.
We petition that, as soon as the successor of the Tokugawa clan is
appointed, the castle may be temporarily intrusted to the charge of
Tokugawa Kamainoike. Although it is great presumption on our part to
do so, we beg his Majesty to bestow on us the boon of not making the
Owari family successors to the Tokugawa.
With respect to men-of-war and military weapons, we beg that these
may be retained until his Majesty re-establishes the Tokugawa
family, and the revenue and territory are settled, and that a
suitable proportion being then retained the remainder may be
surrendered.
We petition that you will use your influence to procure for us, by a
special exercise of his Majesty’s clemency, the acceptance of these
two clauses. We are aware that thus venturing, guilty as we are, to
prefer these petitions, we may be incurring the imperial anger, and
disobeying the wishes of our chief, Keiki; but, at such a time as
this, to regard a few years of life more than eternal disgrace, and
to obey the order with resentment in our hearts, would be for both
army and navy to have left the duties of retainers unfulfilled. We
therefore humbly beg that you will condescend to appreciate these
feelings of us all, and kindly assist us in causing them to have
effect, (with higher authorities.) We humbly and respectfully
present this petition.
(Signed,)
The whole of the army and navy.April, May,
(4th month.)
The above petition was handed to the yambó (military secretary to the
commanderin-chief) by Okuboo Iehi-ó and Katsu Aga in person; but it
was replied that the imperial decision being immovable, it was
impossible for the petition to be acceded to.
Seven men-of-war, crews amounting to two thousand men: Kanko, six
guns; Banriu, four guns; Irin, twelve guns; Chóyó, twelve guns;
Fujesan, (Fusiyama,) twelve guns; Kaiten, (Eagle,) eleven guns;
Kaigó, twenty-six guns. These vessels were to have been taken over
by the naval commander-in-chief on the 3d instant, but the officers
were unable to land in consequence of the high sea that was running.
Permission was
[Page 754]
therefore
requested to delay until the next morning, which request was
granted. Next morning, however, not a single vessel was to be seen,
and on inquiry being made, the following document was produced:
Representation of the commander of
the navy of the ex-Tycoon.
I have the honor to inform you that the reason on account of which
the vessels belonging to my (i. e., Tokugawa) clan leave the anchorage this
morning is as follows: Some days ago the army and navy forwarded
through Okubo Ichió and Katsu Awa a petition to the quarters of the
commander-in-chief. While the whole fleet was still in a state of
suspicion and uneasiness as to the order about surrendering the war
vessels, a high officer, charged with that duty by our master,
Keiki, sent to the Shinagawa anchorage to say that the war vessels
were all to be surrendered without our waiting to hear what the
answer of the commander-in-chief might be. This order affected the
feelings of every one very strongly, and as any misconduct would be
in direct opposition to the wishes of our master, Keiki, and also
highly inexcusable in the eyes of the imperial court, we have
withdrawn to the coast of Awa and Kadzusa in order to quiet these
feelings, and to await the orders of the commander-in-chief. It is
with no object of lurking in some position of advantage, and for
keeping a lookout for what may happen, that we have done this; and
we venture to hope, therefore, that the vessels of the imperial navy
will not entertain any suspicions as to our intentions. I have
addressed the inclosed letter on this subject to Ohara Jijin Sama,
but take the liberty of reporting it to you gentlemen also. I beg
you to judge by your own feelings what are the emotions of loyalty
to Keiki which animate our clan, and also to appreciate kindly the
trouble I have taken; and if you would represent those matters in
the proper quarter I should esteem it a great favor. I therefore
forward this to your excellencies, with the inclosed letter, which I
beg you kindly to put in Ohara Sama’s hands as soon as possible.
I have, &c.,
ENOMOTO IDZUMI.
May 4.
Their Excellencies the Officers of the Mo-Jiun Maru, Hizen’s ship the Eugenie.
To Tayasu Chiunagon:
The vessels of war were to have been handed over on the 3d instant,
but it was decided that they should be surrendered the following
morning on account of the violence of the weather prevailing.
However, during the night, all the vessels left with their crews on
board; it was your duty to recall them at once and surrender them.
We are informed that you acknowledged this to the first division of
the naval forces, and that you requested a delay on the ground that
you could not fix a day on account of its being necessary to reach
the said vessels by sea. The said war vessels formed an article of
themselves in the terms offered on the 26th April, and are machines
of the highest importance. Moreover, not only in the castle did you
accept the terms, but you also gave an engagement in writing to take
measures for the fulfillment of the imperial terms. What sort of
action is this, then, that has been taken in disregard of those
terms? Unless you yourself pursue these vessels in a swift boat, and
arrange for their surrender at once, the clan and name of Tokugawa
may have to suffer for it. Therefore consider this well.
COMMANDERS OF THE ADVANCE, BY THE TOKAIDO.
[Untitled]
To the supreme authority, Daisotokunomiya:
I, Yoshikuni, overcome by fear, and with a palpitating heart,
acknowledge the exceedingly great honor conferred on me by granting
me full power to tranquilize Yedo.
Great was my reward when my strenuous exertions to meet the present
difficulties were graciously acknowledged, and deeply did I
appreciate the privilege with which I was honored of expressing my
opinion on all subjects and on all occasions freely and without
hesitation. Strict fidelity is the basis of my conduct, hence I must
confess my deficiency in intelligence and ability. No service I ever
rendered deserved the honor bestowed on me. For these reasons I dare
not accept the full power so kindly granted me, apprehensive as I
feel that such course will be the cause of disaccord in the imperial
court, and of opposition to the public feeling. The tranquility in
Yedo from the time when the imperial forces entered the Quanto
(eastern Japan) up to the day the castle was surrendered was
entirely owing to two causes—the great virtue of the Mikado, which
aroused the veneration of the people, and the true and sincere
submission of my master to the imperial court. Certainly no
exertions of mine are entitled to any credit for that result. Not
only did my master Yoshihisa (Yoshinobu) waive all his individual
rights, but he surrendered all he held from his ancestors; and while
he is in strict
[Page 755]
seclusion,
undergoing punishment, his sincere desire to promote respect for the
Mikado’s court and the peace of the empire has never abated. Even on
the very day the imperial forces entered the castle, the city was so
quiet as if there was nothing unusual, and it seemed as if the
people rejoiced at the benevolence of the Mikado as they would at
showers in spring. The gracious kindness of the Mikado was felt
throughout the length and breadth of the land, yet equally was the
true submission of my master to the Mikado’s court appreciated. I
should have warned my master before his action gave offense to the
imperial court, but being deficient in intelligence I failed to do
so, and hence the imperial forces had to take the trouble to attack
him, and a general disturbance arose in the country, and we may well
be apprehensive lest trouble unforeseen break out at any moment, and
the foreign nations spying our weakness may make it an opportunity
for sinister designs. I am utterly powerless to tranquilize Yedo,
and to secure the safety of the people of this country. Only one
person in my opinion is fit to discharge that important duty, and
that is Yoshihisa, (Yoshinobu,) whose earnestness, as I stated
above, secured the affection of the people, who will follow wherever
he leads. I feel sure that if the Mikado in the liberal exercise of
his clemency would order him to return to Yedo and reside there, the
people would soon follow in his wake, and tranquility will gradually
be restored and in a manner so as to render further orders for that
purpose quite superfluous. It may be said that it is not consistent
with the dignity of the imperial court if Yoshihisa (Yoshinobu) be
called back to the capital so soon after his departure and before
his misdemeanor has been pardoned, but even a wicked man by
repenting and reforming can become a good man in a moment, and
Yoshihisa (Yoshinobu) is not a bad man; he was only guilty of an
error of judgment; he lost the control of his subjects, and thus
gave offense to the imperial court. For this he has constantly
reproached himself and did penance, and in all respects, therefore,
he is entirely changed. The time has arrived when difficulties beset
this country everywhere for the Mikado to govern with benevolent
dispensation, and by so doing greatly benefit this empire. It may
seem that I am acting exclusively for my master’s interest by
submitting the foregoing, but my unflinching fidelity and
trustworthiness may be relied on, and many followers of the supreme
authority, I submit, are aware of this.
KATS AWA.
4th
(leap) month, about the 30th May,
1868.
