No. 71.] Mr. Seward to Mr. Van Valkenburgh. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 7, 1868. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch of the 21st of July, No. 74, which contains a copy of a joint resolution which was unanimously adopted by the foreign representatives then at Yokohama, for the safety of that city; also a copy of a resolution of the naval officers in the waters of Japan. I have the pleasure to express the assent of this government to the proceedings thus adopted. I am, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD. R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Esq., &c., &c., &c. No. 72.] Mr. Seward to Mr. Van Valkenburgh. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 7, 1868. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch of the 22d of July, No. 75, which informs me that the Italian and Prussian representatives have carried out the intention on their part for opening the port of Neegata. I have treated sufficiently on this subject in my No. 44. I concur entirely in the view you take in regard to the proposal of the foreign ministers to make Ösaka a port of entry, and to open Yedo as a city only. The discussion of that subject may well be postponed to a future and more favorable time. 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 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, WILLIAM H. SEWARD. R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Esq., &c., &c., &c. No. 91.J Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: Our consul at Osaka and Hiogo having reported to me that the Japanese authorities at those places had prohibited the transportation of rice to other opened ports in Japan, I immediately addressed a letter on the subject to Higashi Kuze Chinjio, a copy of which I herewith transmit, inclosure No. 1. This matter was then promptly discussed between the foreign representatives and Higashi Kuze, and I now transmit No. 2, copy of an arrangement which was unanimously accepted by the foreign representatives. Copies of this arrangement have been forwarded to the consuls of the United States in this country. 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. No. 144.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN JAPAN, The United States consul at Hiogo and Osaka has informed me that the Japanese authorities at those places have issued a prohibition of the transportation of rice to other opened ports in Japan. I have now the honor to request you to furnish me with full information on the subject, which will then enable me to issue instructions to the United States consul and to take such further action as the case may demand. In conclusion I beg to inform you that while I am disposed to maintain the friendliest relations with the government of his Majesty the Mikado, I am quite prepared to guard against any infringements or abrogations of treaty rights to the detriment of the citizens of the United States. With respect and esteem, His Excellency HIGASHI KUSE CHINJIO, R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Minister for Foreign Affairs, &c., &c., &c. 1. Whenever the Japanese government considers it necessary, in view of prevailing scarcity, to prohibit the transportation of rice in foreign vessels from one opened port to another, a previous notice of two months shall be given accordingly to the consuls residing at the port where the prohibition is to take effect. 2. Such prohibition concerning both Japanese and foreigners alike shall only be temporary, and be removed as soon as circumstances shall permit. 3. It being found impossible to issue such previous notice in the present instance, the authorities at Osaka and Hiogo will suspend the prohibition for a space of twenty-one days, namely, from the 11th of September to the 1st of October, and during the period of twenty-one days the transportation of rice from Osaka and Hiogo to other open ports may freely take place in foreign vessels. No. 92.] Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith No. 1, copy of a letter from the Prussian chargé d'affaires, informing me that on the 25th ultimo, while driving in his carriage, he was publicly insulted by two of the retainers of Higashi Kuse Chinjio, the Mikado's representative, who suddenly and forcibly caused his Japanese betto or groom to descend from it. I inclose, No. 2, copy of my reply, covering copy of the letter I immediately addressed to Higashi Kuse on the subject, in support of Mr. Von Brandt's demand. The other foreign representatives unanimously acted likewise, and Higashi, thus made aware of the gravity of the offense, promptly assumed the responsibility of the act of his retainers. He notified the Prussian chargé d'affaires to that effect, who then addressed him a note with a modified demand of satisfaction, copy of which I herewith transmit, inclosure No. 3. In this shape the matter was settled to Mr. Von Brandt's satisfaction, and I now transmit No. 4, copy of the public notice in apology of the insult that appeared on the proclamation boards in this town. 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.] YOKOHAMA, August 25, 1868. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that to-day at 54 o'clock p. m., while driving in the principal street of the Japanese quarter, and in passing the train of Higashi Kuse No Chinjio, which was advancing in the same direction, the two principal armed men of his suite crying out threw themselves upon my carriage and dragged from it the beto, who bore upon his coat the escutcheon of my government. In bringing this insult, inflicted publicly upon me, to your knowledge, I have the honor to transmit to you herewith a copy of the letter which I have just addressed to Higashi Kuse upon the subject, and I am convinced that you will approve the satisfaction I have demanded. I profit by this occasion, sir, to renew to you the assurance of my distinguished consideration. VON BRANDT, Chargé d'Affaires of H. M. the King of Prussia. His Excellency the General R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, &c., fc., &'c. [Translation.] YOKOHAMA, August 25, 1868. As the undersigned, his Prussian Majesty's chargé d'affaires met this afternoon at half-past five, in the Japanese main street, the train in which his excellency Higashi Kuse Chinjio found himself in a norimon, this train moving also towards the gate at the end of the street, the two first men of the escort threw themselves upon the carriage of the undersigned, and yelling and threatening, drove off from it his betto, whose coat was marked with the coat of arms of the government of the undersigned. The carriage of the undersigned was not ten yards distant from the train of his excellency, but none of the officers which composed it, and to whom the undersigned ought to be personally known, did anything to put a stop to this insult. They contented themselves, on the contrary, by putting their hands in a threatening manner on their swords. This public insult has been wholly unprovoked on the part of the undersigned; he thinks himself, therefore, justified in demanding the following satisfaction: 1. The severe punishment of the two men. 2. The publication of the punishment awarded to them in the newspapers. 3. A written apology from his excellency the minister for. foreign affairs, Higashi Kuse Chinjio. Should the undersigned not, as he hopes, obtain this satisfaction within forty-eight hours, he would find himself obliged, at his great regret, to cease his relations with a government whose officers insult with impunity, in a public thoroughfare, the representative of a friendly power. With respect and consideration, his Prussian Majesty's chargé d'affaires. VON BRANDT. His Excellency HIGASHI KUSE CHINJIO. Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Baron von Brandt. No. 146.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN JAPAN, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt this moment, of your letter informing me of a daring outrage committed yesterday afternoon by retainers of Higashi Kuse Chinjio, and in his presence, in forcibly removing your groom from your carriage. I transmit inclosed copy of my letter to Higashi Kuse Chinjio on the subject, from which you will perceive that I not only cordially unite with you in the just and moderate demand you have made, but suggest to him that the punishment of his ruffianly retainers be public, and that I also insist upon being informed what measures he now proposes to take to prevent a recurrence of similar outrage. Should the answer of Higashi Kuse Chinjio not be entirely satisfactory, I beg to assure you that I am quite prepared to unite with my colleagues in any reasonable measure having for its object the security and safety of persons and property at this port. I have the honor, &c., I have this moment been informed that the Prussian chargé d'affaires, at half-past 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, was assaulted, not by common people, but by then belonging to your escort, in your presence, in the public street, and that his groom was forcibly taken out of his carriage. I cordially unite with my colleague of Prussia in the demand he made upon you in satisfaction for this outrage, and would suggest that the punishment of the ruffians who committed the assault be not only severe but public. I beg to remind you that you have been sent to this port to maintain friendly relations with the foreign representatives on behalf of his Majesty the Mikado. You are therefore supposed to have certain power, and it is now in proportion to the good will and power you will show to possess by complying with the just demand of the Prussian chargé d'affaires that you must depend upon the continuance of respect to be shown to you in the exercise of your duties. I invite you, therefore, not only to promptly comply with the just and moderate demand of his Prussian Majesty's chargé d'affaires, but to inform me what measures you propose to take to prevent a recurrence of similar outrages. With respect and consideration, R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, [Translation.[ The undersigned, his Prussian Majesty's chargé d'affaires, has had the honor to receive the letter of his excellency Hijashi Kuse Chinjio, minister for foreign affairs, dated from the day before, in which he declares that the insult offered to the undersigned on the 25th instant had happened because his, the minister's, orders had not been sufficiently communicated to his retainers, and that he therefore ought to take the whole fault upon himself and could not punish his retainers. The undersigned will admit this declaration of his excellency the minister for foreign affairs, but as the insult had been a public one he must demand that the satisfaction should bear the same character. He demands, therefore, that the annexed notification should be posted in Japanese language at the gates of the Japanese main street, and should remain there for three days, so that those persons who have witnessed the insult may also be informed that it was an unintentional one, and one which shall not be repeated. The undersigned demands at the same time that his excellency shall forward to him a copy of the so-published notification. The undersigned has conferred with his colleagues on this subject, and it is to comply with a wish they expressed that he will extend the first delay of forty-eight hours until Saturday, the 29th instant, at noon. But the undersigned must add that he expects during this delay a definite reply from his excellency Higashi Kuse, and that should the same not prove a satisfactory one, he will find himself obliged, at his regret, to take those steps the care for the maintenance of his own and his government dignity will make it his duty to adopt. With respect and consideration, his Prussian Majesty's chargé d'affaires, The insult offered to his Prussian Majesty's representative by pulling down his betto from his carriage on the 25th instant, in the main street of the Japanese town, having been an unintentional one and causing great regret to the Japanese authorities, I have expressed my sincere regret for what has happened to his Prussian Majesty's chargé d'affaires, and have issued the necessary orders to all classes of Japanese that a similar offence must not be again committed against any foreigner. [Translation.] With regard to the improper behavior which men of my escort have shown towards the Prussian minister by pulling down his betto from his carriage on the 23d instant, I have expressed my deep regret to the minister. Let every one keep well in mind that henceforward nobody, whoever he may be, shall conduct himself in such improper manner towards a minister or a foreigner. The above decree of Higashi Kuze No Chinjio shall be published in the town to all people, without any exception. 7TH MONTH 12TH DAY, (August 29, 1868.) SABANSHO OF KANAGAWA. Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward. No. 93.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith No. 1, translation of a let |