Mr. Brin, the French secretary of legation and the bearer of the letters to the Mikado's government, and Mr. Mitford. 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 4, 1868. The undersigned, representatives of the treaty powers, recently received at Hiogo from the government of the Mikado the formal assurance that the town of Yokohama and the interests of foreign nations at that port would be scrupulously respected by the troops of his Majesty. It has been proved, however, by the experience of the last few days, that, notwithstanding the friendly disposition of the officers commanding the advanced forces of the Mikado, they are not able, in conducting the movements of those forces, to remove all cause of apprehension for the safety of the foreign residents at Yokohama. The present governor has declared to the foreign representatives that he is ready to deliver over the town to the government of the Mikado upon being called upon by the latter to do so; but no high functionary has yet appeared to make this demand in the Mikado's name, or to furnish information to the undersigned as to the manner in which the transfer is to be effected. In consequence of the insecurity occasioned by this unsettled condition of affairs, the undersigned have been obliged to adopt measures for the protection of their respective citizens and subjects, which they would be glad to discontinue as soon as they can feel assured of the safety of their countrymen by the establishment at this port of an efficient native administration. The undersigned therefore request the government of the Mikado to dispatch a minister of foreign affairs to Yokohama to take the necessary measures for restoring order and security at this port, and to furnish the undersigned with regular means of communication with the Mikado's government. The undersigned entertain the conviction that the present governor of Yokohama is prepared to hand over the government to the officer authorized by the Mikado to receive it, on condition that he shall be allowed to retire quietly from the place with such officers and men as he may wish to take with him. The undersigned, &c., LEON ROCHES. CTE. DE LA TOUR. Their Excellencies the MINISTERS FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, Osaka. [Translation.] YOUR EXCELLENCIES: Your dispatch announcing the events consequent upon the arrival of the advance squad of the imperial forces in the vicinity of Yokohama, and requesting that persons may be sent to Yokohama at once to receive possession, as the chief officer of the late bakufa at that place has declared himself ready to hand over as soon as a governor, by the Mikado's government, has been received. In accordance with your request, Higashi Kuze Suki No Shosho and Hizen Irjin have been appointed governors. They will start in a few days, in a Saga steamer, accompanied by the following officers: Isaki Sai Yomon, (sanyo,) Okuma Hachitaro, (sanyo,) and Mutsa Yonosuke, with a body of troops attached. Until these troops arrive we beg your excellencies to take such measures as are necessary. We have, &c., Their Excellencies Monsieur LEON ROCHES, Sir HARRY S. PARKES, DATE SHOSHO. Minister of France. Her Britannic Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary. Monsieur LE COMTE DE LA TOUR, His Imperial Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary. General R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Minister Resident of the United States. Monsieur VON BRANDT, Chargé d'Affaires of Prussia. YOKOHAMA, April 4, 1868. SIR: I have to inform you that, upon the joint request of the representatives of the treaty powers, her Majesty's ship Rattler is dispatched to Hiogo, with the inclosed dispatch to the Mikado's ministers for foreign affairs, which I have to intrust you to deliver at Osaka to a minister of the foreign department. In giving effect to this instruction you will act in concert with Baron Brin, of the French legation, who proceeds to Hiogo on this service, in her Majesty's ship Rattler. You will impress upon the minister with whom you may communicate the great importance which the foreign representatives attach to the prompt arrival, at Yokohama, of one of the foreign ministers of the Mikado's government, invested with sufficient authority to secure order at this port, and to dispose of the pressing questions relating to its foreign trade which have to be considered. The foreign representatives trust that the Mikado's government will furnish you with an immediate reply to this dispatch, but they do not think it desirable that you should wait for the answer beyond, or at the outside, five days from the delivery of the dispatch into the hands of the Mikado's minister. In case you should be of opinion that a delay of this length would not be attended with commensurate advantage, you should advise the senior officer at Hiogo to send her Majesty's ship Rattler back to Yokohama, with your report, as soon as she can conveniently be dispatched. In case one of the Mikado's ministers should be willing to come to Yokohama at once by sea, and you and Mr. Brin should be of opinion that his movements would be expedited by offering him the safe conduct of her Majesty's ship, the foreign representatives are of opinion that it would be desirable to give him convoy, if the minister himself wishes it, from Hiogo or Osaka to this port, provided that he and his retinue travel in a single steam vessel under the Japanese flag, and do not exceed in number about two hundred men. If the political agent of the Netherlands should still be at Osaka at the time this dispatch reaches you, you should invite him, on the part of the other foreign ministers, to join in this communication to the Mikado's government. I inclose copy of my application to Captain Stanhope, the senior naval officer in Japan, for the services of the ship which is dispatched on this duty. I am, &c., A. B. MITFORD, Esq., Osaka, HARRY S. PARKES. YOKOHAMA, April 4, 1868. SIR: I have the honor to request you to direct one of her Majesty's ships to proceed at once to Hiogo, to deliver to Mr. Mitford the accompanying dispatches with the least possible delay. I have also to beg that you will allow Baron Brin, attaché to the French legation, to be furnished with a passage to Hiogo by the same opportunity. Mr. Mitford and Baron Brin are charged by the representatives of the treaty powers to deliver a communication to the foreign ministers of the Mikado's government, and to ask for a reply. The commanding officer of the ship dispatched on this service should, therefore, be instructed to return here as soon as Mr. Mitford announces to the senior officer at Hiogo the termination of the negotiation, and I have to request that Baron Brin may be furnished with a return passage. In case one of the Mikado's ministers should determine to come to Yokohama, and should apply through Mr. Mitford for convoy to Yokohama, I have to request that the commanding officer of the ship sent on this service may comply with this application, provided that the minister and his retinue travel in a single steam vessel under the Japanese flag. Mr. Mitford will be able to advise the senior officer at Hiogo as to the most conve nient date for the return of her Majesty's ship, but I trust that her detention at Hiogo or Osaka will not exceeed five or six days. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith inclosure No. 1, (printed.) five documents marked A, B, C, D, and E, respectively, which are sufficiently authentic, though not furnished officially. The first one of these documents, (A,) in relation to the construction of the new government, and giving the names and the functions of the members who compose it, is particularly interesting at this time. Whatever remained of a government in Yedo has, to all appearances, entirely subsided. To-day the envoy of the Mikado, Hashimoto No Shosho, passed through Kanagawa on his way to Yedo, where he will arrive this evening. As he is known to be of high rank, and to have been furnished with full powers, it is to be hoped that Takugawa Yoshinobu, the late Tycoon, will be able to arrive at a satisfactory understanding with him, and that a peaceful termination of the present difficulties will be the result, though the approach of this personage has already caused much excitement among the people in Yedo during the last two days. 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. B. [Translation from the Kioto government Gazette, of March, 1868.] Memorial to the Daijokan, (government.) The undersigned, servants of the Crown, respectfully believe that from ancient times decisions upon important questions concerning the welfare of the empire were arrived at after consideration of the actual political condition and its necessities, and that thus results were obtained, not of mere temporary brilliancy, but which bore good fruit in all time. At the present time the throne is but newly occupied; the governing power has just reverted to the sovereign; old abuses are undergoing reformation, and the people of the empire are beginning to perceive the necessity of being governed properly. The officers of the court are zealously endeavoring to perform the duty of loyal servants, by assisting his Majesty in governing well at home and abroad, in exalting the imperial dignity in the eyes of foreign nations. Among other pressing duties of the present moment we venture to believe it to be pre-eminently important to set the question of foreign intercourse in a clear light. His Majesty's object in creating the office of administrator of foreign affairs and selecting persons to fill it, and otherwise exerting himself in that direction, has been to show the people of his empire in what light to look on this matter, and we have felt the greatest pleasure in thinking that the imperial glory would now be made to shine forth before all nations. An ancient proverb says that "Men's minds resemble each other as little as their faces," nor have the upper and lower classes been able, up to the present, to hold with confidence a uniform opinion. It gives us some anxiety to feel that perhaps we may be following the bad example of the Chinese, who, fancying themselves alone to be great and worthy of respect, and despising foreigners as little better than beasts, have come to suffer defeat at their hands, and to have it lorded over themselves by those very foreigners. It appears to us, therefore, after mature reflection, that the most important duty we have at present is for high and low to unite harmoniously in understanding the condition of the age, in effecting a national reformation and commencing a great work, and that for this reason it is of the highest necessity that we determine upon the attitude to be observed towards this question. Hitherto the empire has held itself aloof from other countries, and is ignorant of the affairs of the world; the only object sought has been how to give ourselves the least trouble, and by daily retrograding we are in danger of falling under foreign rule. By traveling to foreign countries and observing what good there is in them, by comparing their daily progress, the universality of enlightened government of a sufficiency of military defenses, and of abundant food for the people among them, with our present condition, the causes of prosperity and degeneracy may be plainly traced. Of course there must be the great law of punishment and warning, but if we can acquire the art of governing them, men from a distance may be made to behave obediently, and there is no reason to punish or warn the unoffending men from afar. In the middle ages the imperial court had an office called gemba, and built a korokuan for the entertainment of men from afar. Subsequently, during the period from 1573 to 1614, the barbarians came frequently to the western provinces and traded there. When they neglected to come, they were summoned to do so by the Taishogun in writing, and threats were held out that if they still delayed they would be attacked by large expeditions from this country. After the Shimabara revolt, in 1637, the Bakufu ordered the country to be closed; but as the priv ilege of trading was still permitted to China and Holland, it is evident that foreigners were not completely expelled at any time. Of late years the question of expelling the barbarians has been constantly agitated, and one or two Daimios have tried to expel them, but it is unnecessary to prove that this was more than the strength of a single clan could accomplish. In the past years the Bakufu declared that it would succeed in ten years; but while making these public protestations it was in private only consulting its own interests by a deceitful stratagem, a course of conduct not fit to be mentioned in the same year with the anxious thought given to the subject by the late Emperor. However, in order to restore the fallen fortunes of the empire and to make the imperial dignity respected abroad, it is necessary to make a firm resolution, and to get rid of the narrow-minded ideas which have prevailed hitherto. We pray that the important personages of the court will open their eyes and unite with those below them in establishing relations of amity in a single-minded manner, and that our deficiencies being supplied with what foreigners are superior in, an enduring government be established for future ages. Assist the Emperor in forming his decision wisely and in understanding the condition of the empire; let the foolish argument which has hitherto styled foreigners dogs and goats, and barbarians, be abandoned; let the court ceremonies, hitherto imitated from the Chinese, be reformed, and the foreign representatives be bidden to court in the manner prescribed by the rules current amongst all nations; and let this be publicly notified throughout the country, so that the countless people may be taught what is the light in which they are to regard this subject. This is our most earnest prayer, presented with all reverence and humility. ECHIZEN SAISHO. TOSO SAKI NO SHOSHO. SATSUMA SHOSHO. FEBRUARY 29, 1868. C. [Translation from the Kioto government Gazette of March, 1868.] Intercourse with foreign countries, commencing in the reigns of Shinjin and Chuiai, (97 B. C., 30 B. C., and 192 A. D., 200 A. D.,) flourished more and more year after year. Many foreigners of near and distant countries became naturalized, and tribute was paid. Subsequently envoys passed constantly between this country and China, or went to reside there, and our mutual relations became naturally friendly. At that time no great advance in the art of navigation had been made, and our intercourse was restricted to Corea, China, and other adjacent countries. To say nothing of western nations, the position of India, even, was not clearly defined. But of late years, as the Japanese nation is aware, the art of navigation has been brought to perfection, and the most distant countries have been brought into the closest intercourse. The stipulations of the treaties which the imperial government has become responsible for, by what may be called an error in judgment of the Bakufu, may be reformed if found to be hurtful; but the public laws observed by all nations forbid wanton disturbance of those arrangements as a whole, and it would be a great misfortune for the imperial court to break faith with foreign nations by now altering those engagements. The imperial government feels itself, therefore, compelled to entertain amicable relations under the treaties concluded by the Bakufu. This having been already notified to foreign nations, it becomes also necessary to adopt such measures as the ancient constitution of the empire and the public law of the world may conjointly suggest. Consequently it has been decreed that the foreign representatives should enter Kioto and attend at court, the memorial of Echizen Saisho and the others being adopted as a basis, and a mean between the good customs of ancient times and the practice of international intercourse in modern ages being arrived at after open discussion by the officers of the court and the clans. "Punishment and warning" is a just principle of great antiquity, and it may happen that unavoidable wars may arise among different countries on account of wrongs committed in spite of the bonds of friendship which exist. Such examples are numer ous, and we must make up our minds to be ready for defensive and offensive wars; but in spite of this, amicable relations between this empire and foreign countries, commenced under the last reign, by the imperial consent being given to the opening of the ports. At that time the Bakufu, having been intrusted with the governing power, all matters concerning foreign intercourse were dealt with by it; but a reformation having been effected by which the monarchical form of government is restored and power is vested in the imperial court, it follows as a matter of course that foreign affairs should be managed by the imperial government. At present, in this new state of things, the Sosai and other officers are responsible for every measure, and it is our desire to fill our high offices as worthily as our limited capacities will enable us. In a time of great and extraordinary difficulty we have humbly and diligently considered the question, and it has been so decided on our reporting to his Majesty the fair and open opinion of the empire. In the present and undecided state of our internal affairs we have this important question of foreign relations to deal with. We desire, therefore, that the whole empire, uniting its strength, will serve the sovereign diligently, and argue with us clearly, and advise us stringently and without hesitation, not only upon foreign affairs, but also on all other public business as well. What is of most importance is, that people will open their eyes to the present state of affairs and rid themselves of degenerate old habits; will cause the imperial virtues to shine forth to all nations, and render the empire as firm as a rock, and thus please the spirits of departed sages now in heaven. Let high and low respectfully observe these words. The three officers of the Daijokan (government.) D. [Translation from the Kioto Gazette of March, 1868.] On the 21st of March his Majesty summoned the Daimios before his throne and pronounced the following speech to them: We have just succeeded to the imperial throne, and the empire is now undergoing a thorough reformation. We ourselves exercise supreme and sole decision in both civil and military matters. The national dignity and the happiness of the people depend upon our fulfilling the duties of our high office, and we are constantly and unrestingly applying our thoughts to this subject. Unworthy as we are for the task, we desire to continue the work begun by our wise ancestors, and to carry out the policy bequeathed to us by the late Emperor, by giving peace to the clans and the people at home, and abroad by making the national glory to shine beyond the seas. Because Tokugawa Keiki harbored lawless schemes, the empire has fallen to pieces, and the result has been civil war, inflicting the greatest miseries on the people. We have therefore been compelled to resolve on taking the field in person against him. As has already been notified, the existence of relations with foreign countries involves very important questions. We are willing, therefore, for the sake of the people of this empire, to brave the perils of the deep, and to undergo the greatest hardships; to swear to spread the national glory abroad, and to satisfy the departed spirits of our ancestors and of the late Emperor. Do you, assembled clans, therefore assist our imperfections, and, uniting with all your heart and all your strength, perform the parts which have fallen to you, and zealously exert yourselves in behalf of the state. E. [Translation from a newspaper published in Yedo, entitled "Home and Foreign News," April 10, 1868.] Memorial of Okubo Ichizo, of the Satsuma clan. Such a great revolution as the present has never taken place since the creation of Japan. How can it be judged of by ordinary rules? In a single battle the government forces have gained a victory, and the chief rebel has fled eastward, but his lurking place is not yet conquered. Laws which shall insure amicable relations with foreign countries have still to be framed. The clans are in a state of alienation and insubordination, and the attitude they shall assume is yet a matter of uncertainty. Men's minds are unsettled, and the |