Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.
No. 74.]
Legation of the United States,
Yokohama,
July 21, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith No.
1, copy of a memorandum of joint resolutions unanimously adopted by the
foreign representatives for the safety of Yokohama, and, No. 2, copy of
the resolutions of the commanding officers now in this station in
reply.
Higashi Kuze Ohiujio readily admitted the expediency of the measure, and
I now have the pleasure to inform you that the four guard-houses
required were promptly ordered and are now being constructed by him.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient
servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Untitled]
United States Flag-ship
Piscataqua, (1st rate,) Asiatic Squadron, Yokohama,
July 13, 1868.
The under-mentioned commanding officers having met this day to take
into consideration the suggestion of the ministers of the foreign
nations at Yokohama to establish four posts for the protection of
foreigners in the settlement, are of opinion that this can be
effected by establishing a post of one non-commissioned officer and
ten men at the northern extremity of the street called Honcho Dori,
to be furnished by the French troops. Second:
A post of one officer and fifteen men at the police station opposite
the custom-house, to be furnished by the British. Third: A post of one officer and fifteen men towards the
center of the main street, to be furnished by the Dutch. Fourth: A post of an officer and twenty men
by the American legation, to be furnished by the Americans.
Each of these posts will have a double sentry, and will send patrols
at uncertain hours during the day through the main thoroughfares of
the town.
As soon as intimation has been received that the guard-houses have
been provided, the above mentioned posts will be established.
B. RADFORD NORMAN, Commander-in-chief
British Garrison.
Memorandum.
At a meeting held at the French legation this 8th day of July, 1868,
between the representatives of France, Great Britain, Italy, the
Netherlands, Prussia, and the United States of America, the
following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
1. That owing to the present disturbed state of affairs, the
undersigned are of opinion that due regard for the safety of foreign
residents at Yokohama renders it necessary that foreign guards
should be posted at the following four points, namely: the police
station, opposite the custom-house, the center of the main street,
called Honcho Dori, and at the northern extremity of the same
street.
2. That the duties of these guards should be confined to those of
assisting any foreigners who may be attacked, or who may apply to
them for protection, and generally, also, in observing the state of
the quarter in which they are stationed. Patrols might pass for this
purpose between the different posts, but they should not interfere
with armed or other Japanese, except in defence of foreigners.
It is proposed that guard-houses shall be provided at all the four
points above named,
[Page 781]
and
that the Japanese authorities shall be invited to co-operate with
the undersigned in the execution of these arrangements.
HARRY S. PARKES, Her Britannic
Majesty’s Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary.
COMTE DA LA TOUR, Envoy Extraordinary,
Ministey Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the King of
Italy.
MAX OUTREY, Minister Plenipotentiary of
France.
R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Minister Resident
of the United States.
M. V. BRANDT, Chargeé d’Affaires of
Prussia.
D. DE GRAEFF VAN POLSBROEK, His Netherland
Majesty’s Political Agent and Consul General in
Japan.
