Mr. Seward to Mr. Van Valkenburgh.
Sir: I have to thank you for your dispatch of the 13th of July, No. 69, in which you have reported to me the appeal of the Mikado’s ministers for foreign affairs to the several legations to return from Yokohama to Yedo, and to resume their residence there.
I have no reason to doubt that yourself and your colleagues will decide that question judiciously.
You have informed me that the ministers for foreign affairs have appealed to the representatives of foreign powers against an immediate opening of the port of Neegata. You state further that the representatives of Italy and Prussia, in opposition to that appeal, have urged that the port of Neegata should be declared open to foreign trade, under an expectation of procuring an immediate supply of silk-worm eggs, which [Page 814] is much desired by the Italian government. You further inform me that, in connection with Sir Harry Parkes, the British minister, you declined to accede to their demand, for the reason that Neegata is at present the scene of a civil contest between the government of the Mikado and the northern chiefs, and that it would be difficult for the treaty powers, at the present moment, to extend armed protection to foreigners who might resort to Neegata.
This proceeding of yours is approved, while the division which has occurred in the counsels of the representatives of the treaty powers is regretted. I sincerely hope that no difficulty nor danger may result to the common cause from that divergence.
I am, sir. your obedient servant,
R. B. Van Vankenburgh, Esq., &c., &c., &c.