ther refer at present, as I believe that those matters will be settled shortly in a satisfactory manner. When Higashi Kuze and suite took their departure he informed them that the Mikado was expected to arrive in Yedo in about six weeks, and as he expressed the wish that I would then see his Majesty, I replied that I hoped to have the honor of an audience on that occasion. 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. .98] Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: With reference to my dispatch, No. 97, of yesterday, I now have the honor to inclose No. 1, copy of a report, made to the Prussian chargé d'affaires and kindly furnished me by him, from which you will perceive that at the very same moment when Higashi Kuze and his councillors protested their ignorance of the orders that had been issued to the Daimios' ships cruising under the Mikado's flag on the west coast, another of his councillors frankly stated that those ships had been instructed to seize or sink if necessary any foreign vessel that might be found on the Neegata coast. After careful inquiry I am inclined to believe that not a single American vessel is likely to be on that coast at present. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH. Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. [Translation.] YOKOHAMA, September 7, 1868. SIR: By your order I went this afternoon to the Saibancho to inquire from the minister of foreign affairs if it was true, as you had heard, that the Japanese government had sent ships to the west coast to arrest and confiscate foreign ships and to employ force against them. In the absence of the minister, the Handji Hisewi Sayemon replied to me as follows: No ships have been sent there from Yokohama, nor has any order been given on that subject, but already some time ago some ships were sent from Hiogo to Neegata to attack this port and take it; these ships had orders to arrest all foreign ships they might find in the neighborhood of Neegata and which were suspected of smuggling, to search them, and eventually to employ force and to sink them. The ships seized as suspected of smuggling would be treated in accordance with the stipulations of the treaties. Higashi Kuze had besides informed you of this already by his letter of the 4th instant. M. VON BRANDT, Esq., His Prussian Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires. KEMPERMAUN. No. 99.] Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith inclosure No. 1, trans lation of a proclamation issued by the Mikado, officially furnished by his agents at this port, announcing his intention to proceed to Yedo and reside there. This announcement had already been made to me officially, as reported in my dispatch No. 95, of the 17th instant, but the language used in this proclamation adds to its interest, as sufficiently foreshadowing, that under any circumstances that may arise, or under any reconstruction of the government that may eventually be attained, Yedo will remain the capital of Japan. Translation of a document from the same source is appended to this proclamation and in further explanation of it. I also transmit inclosure No. 2, translation of a decree relieving Arisugawa no Miya from his command in chief in this part of Japan. To this decree two notifications are appended. In this connection I beg to say that the first prince of the blood is the Miya Sama, now acting Mikado of the northern confederation, as reported in preceding dispatches of this series. The second prince is the Ninnagi no Miya, who, I was this day informed, had placed himself at the head of an expedition of southern and western Daimios' forces, who are again attempting the subjugation of the northern provinces and blockading Neegata; and the third prince is Arisugawa, who is superseded by Sango Udayin or Dainagong. Arisugawa, on his arrival in Yedo, soon lost his first officer, Kugo Dainagong, who appears to have at once declared in favor of the northern Daimios, and it is by Sango Dainagong, above mentioned, the successor of his first officer, that he is now superseded. It appears that as he became better acquainted with the people over whom he was sent to rule, his inclination towards peace and compromise gained strength to such an alarming extent in the opinion of those who still have charge of the Mikado, that his retirement from office was decreed at once. This change is so far important, as it denotes that there is no unanimity in the councils of the Mikado, and also that there is a strict adherence to the policy of general confiscation and no compromise, upon which, all proclamations and statements about benevolence notwithstanding, the new or Mikado's court or government is unquestionably based. In my dispatch No. 94, of the 17th instant, I reported that the southerners had fallen back from an advanced position, to which they attached great importance. This intelligence has since been confirmed. The northern troops, I am assured, could now march on Yedo with every prospect of success, but for an attack in force now being made in their rear on the west coast. I this day learn that three southern steamers landed a detachment of twelve hundred men at a distance of about sixteen miles north of Neegata; those troops then started to effect a junction with a body of their forces stationed at Nagaoka, also in the province of Itshingo, but were intercepted by the northern troops and severely beaten, with the loss also of all their stores. Engagements resulting favorably to the northern side had been fought on the 7th, 8th, and 9th instants, and the southern force at Nagaoko, of at least fifteen hundred men, was at last accounts surrounded by the northern troops. There is every reason to trust in the correctness of those reports, but whether true or not, I feel quite confident that those engagements, though they may hasten, cannot affect the ultimate result, and that the result will be that all the principal northern and southern Daimios will remain masters, each one in his own province. A guard of marines from the flag-ship Piscataqua is still stationed on shore; the English and French guards also continue to occupy the posts selected for them. Perfect tranquillity apparently prevails both here and in Yedo; yet indications are not wanting of an approaching struggle on a larger scale than has been witnessed already. 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. Proclamation issued by the Mikado. As the administration of the government and the protection of the people has devolved upon me, I deem it my duty to proceed to Yedo and to reside there, as it is the principal city in the eastern provinces and the center towards which everything is attracted. Yedo therefore is hereafter to be called Tokei, (Eastern Kioto.) 7TH MONTH, (August, September,) 1868. Since the Bakufu (Tycoon's goverment) was established the prosperity of Yedo constantly increased; the power of Japan was centered in that city and wealth largely accumulated there. And now that the Tycoon's government has been abolished, the Mikado thinks that the myriads of the people miss their usual means of support. In the present state of the world all countries have free intercourse with each other, and it is the duty of the Mikado to raise this country to a higher level, and properly secure the safety of the people. Wherefore the Mikado has issued the proclamation to let the people know that he inquires into their sufferings and intends to do so by personal inspection. The people must appreciate the benevolence of the Mikado; they must seek means to support themselves and their families, abolish habits of luxury, and not wait in idleness for a return of former prosperity, lest they fail to earn a maintenance. And therefore all must perform such labor as is most fit and suitable, in order to enjoy natural and permanent prosperity, and to this end they will practice the arts and sciences assiduously and in every way increase the productions of the country. 7TH MONTH, (August, September,) 1868. Notifications. The Daisotoku no Miya, prince of the blood, commander-in-chief, has been relieved from the office of governor general, and Saryo Udaijin has been appointed to Chin Shio, (general governor.) 7TH MONTH, (August, September,) 1868. No. 2. The office of Chin Shio Fu has been temporarily established at Kioto (Yedo) and the thirteen provinces east of Suruga, (itself inclusive,) namely: Kai, Idzu, Sagami, Musashi, Ava, Kadzuza, Shimosa, Hitatshi, Kodzke, Shimodze, Mutsu, and Dewa, shall be governed by the said office. 7TH MONTH, (August, September,) 1868. No. 3. All the Daimios and other noblemen in the thirteen provinces east of Suruga, named, must report to the Chin Shio Fu (office of general governor) whenever they go to Kioto, and also when they return to their provinces or estates. All the Daimios and other noblemen must have one or two representatives permanently established at Tokee, (Yedo.) As soon as those representatives shall arrive in Yedo they must at once report themselves at the office of the general governor. 7TH MONTH, (August, September,) 1868. No. 100.] Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith inclosure No. 1, translation of a state paper addressed to me by Tokugawa Kamenoske, the present chief of the Tokugawa clan, in whose favor the late Tycoon abdicated. It came in the care of the Mikado's officers stationed here, and was received late last evening. On the day before yesterday, I am informed, Tokugawa Kamenoske passed through Kanagawa on his way from Yedo to Suruga, where the late Tycoon at present resides. He was accompanied by only two hundred of his officers and their followers and servants. The people all turned out when his train passed, and showed that marked respect which is only paid to a reigning Tycoon. This event is probably not without significance at this juncture; time, however, can only show to what extent, if any, this departure and this announcement of Tokugawa will affect the political condition of this country. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, R. B. VAN VALKENBURG. Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. His Excellency R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Minister Resident of the United States of America: I beg to inform you that the house of Tokugawa surrendered the governmental power to the Mikado's court; an annual revenue of 700,000 kokus was assigned to the house, and it has been ordered to become one of the Daimios of Japan. And therefore, as announced by the Mikado's court, foreign affairs shall henceforth be transacted by the court, and our house shall have no further concern with them. On the 8th day of the 8th month, (23d September, 1868.) TOKUGAWA KAMENOSKE. Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward. [Telegram.] No. 101.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: War continues; fighting in the north. Rumor that Neegata is burned not authentic. Kioto Mikado has changed name of Yedo to East Kioto, and declares his intention of coming there soon. Open ports quiet. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH. Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. No. 79.J Mr. Seward to Mr. Van Valkenburgh. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, October 5, 1868. SIR: Your dispatch of the 13th of August, No. 80, has been received. You inform me that an English steamer from Hiogo appeared on the 27th of July at Yokohama with sixty or more Choshin officers and men on board, and with the object of procuring possession of the Stonewall by order of the Mikado. You inform me further that the Choshin men promptly returned to Hiogo without making any new application to yourself. I have read with much interest the papers which accompany your dispatch. A portion of them discloses, a very interesting fact, viz., that an expectation is still indulged by a considerable part of the Japanese people that all foreigners can and will ultimately be expelled from Japan. Whether this expectation will be converted and adopted into a partisan or even national policy must depend largely upon the accidents of the civil war, which are beyond foreign control, and more, perhaps, upon the sagacity and prudence of the treaty powers themselves. I trust you will not fail to keep me advised by indications of popular sensibility on that subject. Appended to the dispatch other papers make it clear that the party which was specially identified with the government of the late Tycoon possessed a large share of the material resources and political experience of the country, and that that party, although confounded and temporarily bewildered, is probably capable of reorganizing a vigorous retaliation. I am, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD. R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Esq., &c., &c., &c. Mr. Seward to Mr. Van Valkenburgh. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, No. 83.] SIR: Your dispatch of the 15th of August, No. 83, has been received. I learn from it that the Mikado's decree heretofore mentioned in this correspondence for the punishment of four thousand and ten native Japanese, by banishment from their homes with hard labor, for the offense of adhering to the Christian religion, has been carried into execution in regard to one hundred and twenty of those unfortunate persons. You further inform me that sixteen of those one hundred and twenty persons were, in the first instance, sentenced to death, but were reprieved in consequence of the representations which were made to the Japanese government by the foreign representatives, and that you have reason to believe, further, that the delay which has taken place in the execution of the sentence upon the remainder of the native Christians is chiefly due to the same influence. I thank you for showing me how very strong and universal is the popular prejudice which prevails in Japan against the Christian religion. I think I fully apprehend the strength of the Japanese traditions. influences, and customs, and also the formidable strength of the existing pagan hierarchies. While I give full weight, however, to these consid |