into the ranks of Satsuma, wounding about thirty men-some say by mistake; others, aware of the bitter feud between those two clans, suspect that this was done on purpose. There was no general commanding officer on the spot; the men of each clan fought under their own officers, and quite independent of each other, the jealousy among the clans preventing a regular organization being arrived at. It is impossible to give anything like a correct estimate of the forces engaged; the reports all differ materially in this respect, only agreeing in this, that to all appearances the southern troops now hold complete sway at Yedo, and that the people, all reports of suffering notwithstanding, are quite well treated by them. I transmit inclosure No. 3, translation of a proclamation appointing Tokugawa Kamenoske, the son of Prince Tayasu, the chief of that family, Tokugawa Toshinobu, retiring with the title of former Tycoon. It is from him that this proclamation emanates. This morning large bodies of troops marched through Kanagawa on their way to the Hakoné Pass, now held, it is reported, by the Tokugawa men. If this be true, reports of fighting from that quarter may soon reach me. I visited that pass last year, and in the hands of good troops, well supported and provisioned, it would be very strong indeed. 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. [Translation.] To the clans of Kadsusa, Shiniosa, Kodzuke, Shimodzuke, Sumga, Awa, Idzu, Sagami, and Musasi: For some time past contumacious members of the clan, refusing to submit to the gracious and merciful will of the imperial court, and disregarding their master Keiki's (late Tycoon) desire to submit, and in spite of their being in the (legal) position of persons in seclusion, have broken loose and collected in numbers at the temple of Wuyeno and in other places, assassinated the soldiers of the government, plundering the populace of their property, and committing acts of constantly increasing violence, in defiance of the government forces. Truly, they are enemies of their country, who deserve no mercy. It has become necessary, therefore, to issue orders that force be used against them. You must therefore keep strict order within your territories, and put your forces in a state of complete preparation. If any of the rebels should make their escape you must slay them. Any neglect of these orders will be visited with severe punishment. You will therefore consult with the clans in your vicinity, and exert your energies in doing your duty to the best of your power. These orders are issued by the Miya, commanding in chief. JULY 3, 1868. Copy of orders to the soldiers of all the clans. Those of Tokugawa clan who have broken loose have assembled in numbers at the temple of Wuyeno and other places, constantly assassinating the soldiers of the government army, plundering the innocent populace of their property, and committing acts of constantly increasing violence, in defiance of the government forces. Truly they are guilty enemies of their country and deserve no mercy. The imperial court is unable to show further clemency, and orders have been issued to use force against them. You are therefore ordered to fight with gallantry and daring, and to exterminate those enemies of their country, so that the countless myriads of the people may be rescued from misery, and to tranquillize the imperial bosom by restoring peace and quietness at once. JUNE. To Tokugawa Kamenosuké: It is the order of the Miya, commanding in chief, that you remove during this day the tablets of your ancestors and other valuable treasures which are at the temple of Wuyeno. JULY 3, 1868. To Tokugawa Kamenosuke: For some time past contumacious members of the Tokugawa clan refusing to submit to the gracious and merciful will of the imperial court, disregarding their master Keiki's desire to submit, and in spite of their being in the (legal) position of persons in seclusion, have broken loose and collected in numbers at the temple of Wuyeno and in other places, assassinating the soldiers of the government, plundering the populace of their property, and committing acts of constantly increasing violence in defiance of the government forces. Truly, they are enemies of their country and deserve no mercy. It has been found necessary, therefore, to order that force shall be used against them. The Miya, commanding in chief, has ordered this to be communicated to you for your information. JULY, 1868. To the Koga clan, (Doi Oyeno Kami, Koga-in-Shimosha:) Same as above down to "force shall be used against them." Consequently, a high military officer with some Hizen troops will be sent to you. You will consult with them in all matters. Keep strict order within your territory, and put your forces in a state of complete preparation. If any of the rebels should make their escape you must slay them. Any neglect of these orders will be visited with severe punishment. You will therefore exert your energies in doing your duty to the best of your power. By order of Miya, commanding in chief. JULY, 1868. To Oshi, (Matsudaira Shimosa no Kami, in Musashi:) Same order as above, with the exception of Geishü troops for Hizen troops. To Kawagoye, (Matsudaira Suwo no Kami, Musashi :) Same order as above, with the exception of Chikuzen troops for Hizen troops. Copy of notice affixed to the notice-boards and published throughout the city. For some time past the bands who have broken loose have assembled at the temple of Wuyeno, frequently assassinating the soldiers of the government or plundering the people of their property in the name of the government forces, and committing acts of constantly increasing violence. They are rebels against the state. Henceforth they shall be killed wherever they are found. Any persons secretly assisting them or harboring them will be treated as rebels. JULY, 1868. Tokugawa Keiki having given proofs of his submissiveness, his Majesty, in consideration of the great services of his (Keiki's) ancestors, appointed a successor to his name and family, and intended to announce subsequently the castle and revenues to be allotted, with the desire that all, even to the lowest, might know his proper position in the commonwealth; but, unfortunately, contumacious members of the Tokugawa clan refusing to submit to the most benevolent will of his Majesty, and disregarding their master Keiki's desire to submit, and in spite of their being in the (legal) position of persons in seclusion, have broken loose and assembled in various places, in defiance of the government forces; they have plundered the property of the innocent populace, and there is no act of violence which they have not committed. As these acts tend to plunge the population into the depths of misery, it has been found unavoidably necessary to use force against them. As the object of this determination is to remove evil, to render the empire as firm as a rock, and to relieve the countless millions from anxiety, unreasoning flight is hereby forbidden. His Majesty's intentions must be well understood, and all classes dutifully feeling at ease must carry on their ordinary avocations and be tranquil in their natural positions. JULY, 1868. Copy of notices addressed to the municipal officers of the city. During the space of three days from to-morrow, July 4, no boats are allowed to leave the shore. COUNCILLORS OF THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. JULY 3, 1868. During the space of three days from to-morrow, July 4, no porters are to be furnished at any of the post towns. COUNCILLORS, &c. JULY 3. Old persons, children, and sick, must be removed during the course of the day to places (of safety) in the neighborhood. COUNCILLORS, &c. JULY 3. [From No. 4 of the Yedo Gazette of July.] Copy of letter addressed to Riu-o-ji No Miya, of Wuyeno. Tokugawa Keiki having given proofs of his submissiveness, his Majesty appointed a successor to his name and family. It was the duty therefore of the members of the Tokugawa clan to have continued in seclusion. On the contrary, the contumacious have lawlessly broken loose, and assembled in numbers at various places, not only disregarding the wishes of their master, but also assassinated the troops of the government and plundering the people of their property; thus obstructing the imperial government. In consequence of these lawless acts, it is indisputable that force might properly have been at once employed against them. The reason of the delay which has taken place is that on account of the affection entertained for the person of the Miya, the imperial court has proceeded with the greatest delicacy, and the Miya commanding in chief, also moved by the deepest feelings of anxiety for his safety, has sent messengers to him inviting him to take up his residence in the castle. Subsequently his Highness sent one of his military councillors (Sanbó,) but no audience was granted to the latter. Further, in spite of his Highness having sent for Gakoû-in and Pio-ô-in, they did not appear. It is therefore impossible for his Highness to render them any further assistance, and he is filled with burning anxiety in their behalf. However, as the people would be plunged into misery and the imperial authority seriously impaired if the acts of the enemies of the state were passed over with impunity, it has been found unavoidably necessary to order the employment of force. We have therefore received the orders of his imperial Highness, the commander-inchief, to represent to the Miya the advisability of his retiring from the scene of the apprehended contest at once. We have the honor to make this communication to you and to beg you to lay it before the Miya. JULY 3, 1868. Orders have already been issued against the commission of acts of violence and lawlessness, such as setting the houses of the common people on fire unnecessarily, or plundering their household property, and the strict observance of these orders is now reiterated. JULY 3, 1868. JULY 7, 1868. On the 4th July, at early dawn, the forces were marshalled in front of the great gate of the castle, when each body marched to the post assigned to it and commenced the attack. The fighting commenced at eight o'clock in the morning and was over by five in the evening. The government forces gained a great victory and routed the rebels entirely. The whole of the buildings within the inclosure of Wuyeno were reduced to ashes. The different clans have not yet sent in their reports of the number of the enemy slain and the spoil taken. There was a report yesterday that the rebels had collected in Gokokugi and Shounji, &c., and troops were therefore dispatched to those places, but it appears that they had disguised themselves in various ways and gone off by threes and fives in all directions in the morning. Troops were marched again to-day to the vicinity of Wuyeno and Hongo for the purpose of attacking the remains of the rebel forces, but we believe that there are very few left. JULY 6. Hitherto the rebel bands collected in different places have committed every kind of violence and atrocity. The unprovoked assassination by them of soldiers of the gov ernment forces amount to more than thirty in number. In addition to this, they have extorted money in many ways in the name of the government forces. Being thus guilty of the most abominable conduct, we think it would be well that foreigners should be made acquainted with the unavoidable necessity which called for the attack on them. From Yushima to the street in front of Block Gate: Satsuma; Inaba; Higo. Advanced from Hongo and the Castle of Kago: Choshu; Chikugo, (Arima;) Sadowara; Omura. From Mito Shimo Yashki: Sadowara Todo and Owari Hokakutai artillery. Near the Chinese school, (Seido:) Shimbatta. At Morikawa near the branch road: Bizen. These three posts were supported. Okawa bridge: Kishu. Two military officers attached. Kawa Kuchi: Okubo Toichiro. Oshi: fifty men, of Geishu. Kawagoye: fifty men, of Chikuzen. Near Ögi: Todo geishii and Chikuzen. Yoda: fifty men, of Bizen. Koga: fifty men, of Hizen. Numata: fifty men, of Higo. These nine posts were supports. Proclamation issued for the Tokugawa clan, on the 3d day of the 5th month, 22d June, 1868. It has already been proclaimed that Kamenoske Sama shall be called Wuye Sama, (Upper lord, Tycoon's title,) and that the Wuye Sama (Tokugawa Yoshinobu) (Tycoon) shall be called Sakino Wuye Sama, (former Upper lord.) These titles shall be used among the Tokugawa clansmen only, and not generally. These distinctions should be well remembered. No. 69.] Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: On the 3d instant the foreign representatives held a joint conference with Higashi Kuze Chiujio, the minister for foreign affairs, and at his request-his colleague, Hisen Jijin, being then in Yedo. Higashi opened the conference by informing the representatives that perfect tranquillity now prevailed in Yedo; he had only two days before returned from that city, and felt assured that the representatives, if they so desired, could with perfect safety resume their residences there. Foreign merchants might also come up to Yedo and reside in the quarter set apart for their occupation and engage in business. The safety of the merchants, however, in going about the streets could not well be secured, as the police department was still in the hands of Tokugawa offi"From this day," this minister asserted, "the Mikado's government will be responsible for the safety of the legations and their property, and also for the foreign merchants, provided they will remain in their houses." Within a few days the Mikado's government would take possession of the police department, and the whole city would then be quiet and safe. He expressed a strong desire that Ne-egata should not be opened at present, as the province of Etshingo, in which it is situated, was the scene of war. cers. The Prince of Sendai had been declared a rebel, and in the province of Etshingo the Mikado's government was unable to afford the requisite protection to foreigners. The minister promised to address the representatives on the subject of Ne-egata in writing, and I now transmit inclosure No. 1, copy of his letter. The question of the sale of lands at Osaka and Hiogo came up for consideration, but was postponed to some future day, the matter not being pressing. I should observe here, that when this minister addressed the foreign representatives in regard to Yedo, with the view of inducing them to assent to its opening for trade and residence, he must have been at that moment fully aware of the contemplated attack on Wuyeno temple, as a few hours after that interview his letter transmitting the general orders for the assault, which forms inclosure No. 1 of my dispatch No. 68 of this day, was received, and early on the next morning the attack was actually made as reported in that dispatch. The opening of Ne-egata was greatly desired by the Italian representative, in the hope that a supply of silk-worm eggs might be obtained there, and in the present disturbed state of affairs in this part of Japan, there is every reason to apprehend that supplies of this extremely valu able article, so urgently needed both in Italy and France, will this year be very limited if not principally cut off. The Prussian chargé d'affaires joined our Italian colleague in insisting upon the temporary opening of that port on the 15th instant, but the other representatives, like myself, did not deem it judicious to join in a measure which seems almost impossible of success not only, but from which, if adopted, complications are not unlikely to arise. There being no Japanese government in any part of this country strong enough to protect our citizens and subjects, the principle of permitting our people to visit only such places or ports where they can be protected by their respective governments, should be adhered to, and it is on this ground that the majority of the representatives based their action. I am happy to inform you that this difference of opinion has not in the least disturbed the cordial accord among the foreign representatives, with all of whom I remain on perfectly pleasant terms. I transmit inclosure No. 2, copy of a notification issued by the British minister on this subject. Foreigners of several nationalities, it appears, have already proceeded to that port, but it is very doubtful whether they will succeed in procuring any silk-ova, and I have not yet heard of there being any Americans amongst them. 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. JULY 7, 1868. SIR: The date fixed for the opening of the port of Neegata, in Etshingo, has already passed, but its vicinity is at present the theater of war. A large number of troops have been dispatched thither, but the restoration of tranquillity has not yet been reported. It would be impossible for us to undertake properly the protection of foreigners residing there in its present disturbed condition, and we should feel great anxiety on their account. We wish, therefore, to arrange for the postponement for a short time. The question of the opening of that port is at present the subject of much attention at Kioto, and some persons charged with jurisdiction over the Japanese have already proceeded to Takata, in Etshingo. Military officers have also been sent thither, and we |