Mr. Petit Thouars to the captain commanding ad interim the squadron in the China Seas. FURTHER IN RELATION TO THE AFFAIR OF SAKAI-RECOMMENDATION FOR THE CROSS AND THE MEDAL. CORVETTE DUPLEIX, Osaka Roads, March 10, 1868. SIR: The four wounded who survived the murder of Sakai being convalescent to-day, I questioned them more particularly, and I have collected information, which enables me more correctly to represent the facts in that case; the quartermaster, Durel, from whom I obtained most of my previous information, only knew from hearsay what had taken place in the boat, because he only got into it again after the departure of the Japanese, who must have thought that all had been killed. Not only were the people of Sakai free from ill feeling, but they were so good natured that more than once fruit and cakes had been brought to our sailors; those men, therefore, were without the slightest mistrust in the launch and on the wharf, joking with the Japanese, by whom they were surrounded; when suddenly Quartermaster Lemeur, who had just come on shore with, Durel, came back running, saying: "Shove off, we are lost, the guards are coming;" then Midshipman Guillon, standing behind, ordered: "Cut the ropes-start the engine," and at the same moment from sixty to seventy men, armed with carbines, followed by others carrying sticks and hooks, came down to the wharf, pushing back the crowd, which ran away frightened, and then began firing on the launch close by. Lemeur and the fireman were killed at once; several men wounded dropped in the boat, others overboard, and those who had not been hit at the first fire, finding themselves so suddenly attacked, also jumped overboard on the other side, hoping in that manner to escape being butchered. But as soon as a Japanese had fired his musket, he went under cover to reload, then fired again on those who, in the water or overboard, still gave signs of life, while others, armed with hooks, went along the wharf, seized the unfortunate men who were swimming, to knock their brains out. Mr. Guillon, first wounded in the hand, appears to have been shot in the head while he was swimming away; and the escape of the four survivors is owing to the two men, who, dangerously wounded at the first fire, fell senseless in the bottom of the boat, and to those others who managed to keep their heads above water without being perceived between the launch and a junk close by. There, also, Quartermaster Durel, who could not swim, in a truly providential manner made his reappearance after he threw himself into the water. As for the seventh man, he was supposed to be dead, and left on the wharf, where he had been knocked down with hooks; but the people of Sakai, who returned as soon as the soldiers had left, still perceiving that his eyes were moving, made signs to him to get into the boat, which sufficiently proves that the people had nothing to do with this abominable crime. When the firing ceased, Durel, seeing the soldiers go away, got into the boat again, hoping to find the engine in working order, and to take her away at once, but the steampipes were broken; then assisting the wounded to get aboard, and encouraging them by his example with those six men so seriously wounded that two of them died since and that two others still cause us the deepest anxiety, he succeeded in getting under way, to man two oars, and to reach the end of the jetties, when hoisting sail he made for the ship. It is thus owing to the coolness, courage, and determination of this non-commissioned officer that the entire crew were not lost, and the launch itself saved, because the Japanese, as has been ascertained afterwards, only went away for a moment, for the purpose of fetching the necessary instruments to destroy the boat. I have therefore to request, sir, that you will authorize me to recommend this noncommissioned officer for the cross of the Legion of Honor, as also the man Gomor, who, though wounded already, saved Durel by supporting him behind the boat, when halfdrowned from being under water some seconds he had nearly fainted. I would also request to recommend for the military medal those wounded who so bravely brought us back our boat; the spirit of those men is beyond praise; and the remembrance of what I have witnessed and heard in the boat, when I joined her towards half-pastseven in the evening, can never be forgotten. Not a sound-no complaint. Here is the captain; no one had hurt them-certainly not; we were all very quiet, hoping that the captain of the Venus may not have met those men. I jumped on board with the surgeon, ordering Mr. Paris to tow us on board with the whale-boat; a rope was to be fastened and the sail to be set, which had come down when I boarded. I told a man to do so: "Both of my arms are broken, sir." To another man in the bottom of the boat: "Both of my legs are broken, sir." This man had been shot through the body. With a third it was the foot; and so forth with the others. I repeat, Durel was the only able-bodied man left, and those six men, two of whom were dying, and two others, who are in the most dangerous condition, who assisted him in saving the boat. I should also wish to recommend Mr. Ensign Paris for the cross of the Legion of Honor. This officer, who hastened to come up as soon as he heard the first shots fired, and reached in sight of the launch to see the last man fall, being unarmed, he remained ready to pick up those who might still be alive, and he did not leave to report to me what had taken place until signs of life were no longer visible, when the man with the lead had been hit twice, and the whale-boat received several bullets. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, B. DE PETIT THOUARS. The CAPTAIN commanding ad interim the squadron in the China Seas, Venus. No. 41.] Mr. Van Valkenburgh to the ministers for foreign affairs. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN JAPAN, Hiogo, March 11. I have been informed of the nature of the reparation asked by his excellency the minister of France, for the recent unprovoked murder of his countrymen at Sakai. I trust your excellencies will see the importance of his Majesty the Mikado at once acting according to this request of his excellency the minister, and that prompt satisfaction may be given to him. With respect and esteem, R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Minister resident of the United States in Japan. Their Excellencies HIGASHI KUZE SAKI NO SHOSHO, DATE IYO NO KAMI, Ministers for Foreign Affairs. No. 27.] Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: On the 12th instant I left Hiogo, on the Monocacy, accompanied by the Italian minister and the Prussian chargé d'affaires, who accepted the hospitality of Commander S. P. Carter for the trip, and we arrived at Yokohama on the morning of the 14th. Mr. Portman had been diligent and attentive to the interests of our government at that place during my absence, and I am happy to approve of his action, the result of which he has furnished to you in his several communications to the department. I found that the governor of Kanagawa had received instructions from the late Tycoon to surrender to the authorized officer of the Mikado, upon his presenting himself, the government of Yokohama, including the custom-house and all government offices, but such authorized agent has not yet appeared. After remaining a few days at that place I came here on the 18th instant, and was immediately waited upon by several of my old friends, the governors of foreign affairs, who congratulated me upon my safe arrival. They at once furnished me with a personal guard of twenty-four Yaconins, and increased my legation guard to about seventy. I am now the only representative in Yedo, and they informed me that this increase of guard was a mere matter of precaution, and not that they then apprehended any great danger, but assured me they would give me timely notice of the advance of troops upon the city. On the next day (the 19th) I received a visit from the chief of the Wakatosiyoni, or second council of the late Tycoon. He informed me that the Tycoon, having declared his intention of submitting to the orders of the Mikado, had become inkio, or gone into retire ment. That he had tendered the succession to the Prince of Kishü, but as yet it had not been accepted by him. That the Tycoon had left his castle and gone to his temple of Wuyerio, refusing to see any of his officers, and thus proving to his people his sincerity in his submission. That the late Gorogio had all been dismissed or retired, and that the government of Yedo, Yokohama, and the provinces pertaining to the Tokugawa family, was carried on by himself and the governors for foreign affairs. Some of the Tycoon's officers and Daimios are indignant at this course pursued by the Tycoon, and declare themselves ready to carry on the war, should the troops advance into their provinces. Some of them with their retainers have retired to their own homes, yet there are many armed men in the city. The troops of the Mikado are slowly approaching on the Tokaido, and should they meet with no resistance, will probably reach here in ten days or two weeks. This is a strange country and a singular people. I am unable to say what will occur; I think there will be slight or no opposition to their entering Yedo; yet after they have once arrived I fear much blood will be shed in street fights, and that, too, perhaps, by organized bodies of men. It will probably be a guerrilla warfare, with Ronins (outlaws) upon one side and the troops of the Mikado upon the other. I shall not remain here. During my absence, Mr. Portman caused the archives of the legation to be removed to Yokohama for safety, and I shall go there in the course of the week to remain until times are more secure. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH. Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. Mr. Seward to Mr. Van Valkenburgh. No. 47.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your very interesting dispatch of the 16th of January, No. 3. You have explained the attitude of the several contending parties in Japan, their policies and purposes, in a more lucid manner than it has yet been presented to the notice of this government. Revolution having begun with a formidable development of civil war, we must regard its future course as altogether uncertain. It is not doubted that you will practice a wise discretion, and that you will adhere to the existing government while it still maintains its power. You will neither take position adverse to, nor will you prematurely commit the United States to any political power which may come up in these con No. 31.] Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have addressed a letter, copy of which I herewith transmit, inclosure No. 1, to Mr. Stahel, our consul at Kanagawa, desiring him until further notice to issue no passports to American citizens to visit Yedo. That city was to be opened to the citizens and subjects of the treaty powers on the 1st instant, but in concert with my colleagues we arrived at the unanimous conclusion, that in the present unsettled state of affairs in this country, the duration of which cannot even be estimated, it would be unsafe to allow our respective citizens and subjects to visit. places where we do not command the means fully to protect them. This also applies to Ne-egata, which was to have been opened on the same day. From inclosure No. 1 of dispatch No. 25 of this series, you will have perceived that the Mikado's commissioners, in reference to the cause of the murder of the unarmed Frenchmen at Sakai, frankly admitted that in their opinion this outrage was attributable to the "general and sav age hatred" existing against foreigners indiscriminately. As there appears to be as yet no government sufficiently strong in this country to prevent outbreaks of that nature, or to be held responsible in cases of outrages on foreigners in whatever part of Japan they may have been committed, I beg to submit that I was justified in assenting to the postponement of the opening of Yedo and Ne-egata, and that both those places should remain closed until the lives and property of Ameri can citizens can be amply protected there. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH. Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington. D. C. Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Stahel. No. 43.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN JAPAN, SIR: The troubles existing in Japan at this time would render it unsafe for the citi zens of the United States at present to locate in or visit the City of Yedo or the port of Neegata. In consequence thereof, you will decline to give passports under the arrangements made for the opening of Yedo until you receive further information from me. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, General J. STAHEL, United States Consul, Kanagawa. R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, No. 32.] Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Yokohama, April 3, 1868. SIR: On the 30th ultimo several soldiers belonging to the advance of the Mikado's army, on their way to Yedo, visited this place, and this continued on the two days following. They appeared to be under no command, and their presence evidently caused some uneasiness both among the foreign and the native population. Uninvited they entered foreign houses and behaved quite rudely. I agreed with my colleagues upon a preventive measure of joint occupation of the approaches to this town, copy of which agreement I herewith have the honor to transmit, inclosure No. 1. In accordance therewith I addressed a letter to Commander S. P. Carter, commanding the "Monocacy," and senior naval officer, inviting him to carry out this agreement in co-operation with the naval and mili tary authorities of the other nationalities, and I now transmit inclosure No. 2, copy of his reply; covering copy of the arrangement entered into by him for the protection or defense of this town. A system of passports was also established; such passports were issued by the legations and countersigned by the governor of the port, by whom they are distributed only to such two-sworded men who resort hither on duty or on lawful business. This measure, now in operation, has given general satisfaction at this place, and the uneasiness first experienced has entirely subsided. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH. Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. YOKOHAMA, April 2, 1868. The undersigned representatives of France, Great Britain, Italy, Prussia, and the United States, taking into consideration the present troubled state of affairs, and the fact that large numbers of armed men are straggling into the foreign as well as the native quarter of the town of Yokohama, unattended apparently by responsible officers, and that the government also appears unable to maintain order, hereby agree to request their respective naval and military commanders to adopt the following meas ures: 1. To occupy permanently the posts marked in the annexed plan, conjointly with Japanese guards. The foreign commanders should not for the moment interfere with the ingress of any Japanese, unless called upon to do so by the Japanese guard, but should be prepared to resist foreigners generally in case of alarm or attack. More explicit instructions will be given for their guidance as soon as possible. 2. To concert measures to land additional forces in case they should be required. L. ROCHES. H. S. PARKES. CTE. DE LA TOUR. R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH. Commander Carter to Mr. Van Valkenburgh. UNITED STATES STEAMER MONOCACY, SIR: I have the honor to inclose for your information a copy of the arrangements made this day by the naval and military commanders of the treaty powers for the protection and defense of the foreign settlement of Yokohama. I shall be obliged if you will send me a copy of the second letter, written and signed conjointly by the ministers, on the subject of restricting the Japanese entering Yokohama to those provided with a pass from one of the consulates.. Some of the commanders who were at the conference had been furnished with a copy of the above letter, but I have not yet received one. I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Minister Resident of the United States in Japan. S. P. CARTER, Commander. |