Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Two foreigners, who had been employed on board of a steamer operating in the service of the southern and western Daimios on the west coast, recently returned overland to Hiogo, their vessel having been laid up for the winter at Hanao, in the province of Noto, belonging to the neutral Prince of Kaga. Their report confirms the intelligence previously received, that heavy gales visited the northern coasts of Niphon during the months of September and October; that no less than six steamers belonging to those Daimios were driven ashore, and that one brig was totally wrecked at Neegata.
From Nagasaki I learned that the Prince of Hizen recently bought no less than three small foreign steamers; and this would seem to indicate that, in the opinion of that prince at least, the present convulsion, to use the language of the chief Tokugawa officers, has not yet arrived at maturity.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.