Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Several reports have reached me since writing my dispatch, No. 85, of the 20th instant, all confirming the establishment of a Mikado-ship in the north. Reports have also been received during the last three days of a battle having been fought between the contending parties, in which the victory was claimed for the northern coalition. There is no doubt that numbers of wounded have arrived in Yedo, and that all the men that can possibly be spared are being sent from there to reinforce the troops fighting against the northern Daimios.
The intelligence this morning received by me, and in which I am inclined to place confidence, is to the effect that no battle but a series of engagements occurred, that numbers were killed and wounded on both sides, but that no decisive result has been attained. In the province of Etshingo, on the west coast, fighting takes place daily; occasionally some castle is taken and then retaken; but that the largest portion of that province has been reconquered by the northern Daimios and appears to remain in their possession.
The northern Mikado is reported to have conferred court appointments [Page 808] on the principal northern Daimios, and to have sent envoys to the Daimios of Kaga and Etchizen inviting them to remain neutral during the present struggle.
From Osaka I learn that several western Daimios are moving in the direction of placing a check on the action of Satsuma, whose inordinate ambition is evidently a source of suspicion to them; and the latest report, though not yet reliable by any means, is that at Kioto a large fire occurred, and that a portion of the Mikado’s palace had been destroyed. This Mikado is further said to have expressed his deep regret that the troops fighting under his flag should have attacked the sacred temple of Wuyeno in Yedo, the residence of his father’s brother, (now the northern Mikado;) and finally that he was determined to abdicate. This the Prince of Satsuma and a few other Daimios will most probably not permit him to accomplish.
Several arrests of native merchants were made three days ago at this place by the local authorities, on suspicion of their being spies of northern Daimios; they have all been released, as the charges could not be proved, but were ordered to leave this place forthwith.
From Nagasaki our consul reports to me that there had been a promotion among the government officials, from which it would appear that the Choshin influence was in the ascendant at Kioto. Nothing further had transpired relative to the native Christians; no more had been carried away, and the decree therefore ordering the distribution of these poor people among various Daimios to serve a term of hard labor remains inoperative so far.
The Piscataqua, Eear-Admiral Rowan, and the Shenandoah, are now in this port.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.