several Daimios, by whom they are to be held to hard labor and scanty supplies of food, until they shall abandon Christianity and return to the traditional religion. The policy which inspired that decree is elucidated in a paper written by a native Japanese scholar, in which he has discussed the history, principles, and sentiments of Christianity. In regard to the necessity for issuing this decree, you inform me that there appears to be no doubt, that under the pretense of professing Christianity, many of the people who belong to the humblest and most ignorant classes have neglected their avocations and have held so-called religious meetings at night, where gross licentiousness has prevailed. You further inform me that it is uncertain whether the Daimios selected to take charge of the unfortunate persons named in the decree have been consulted on the subject, and it is impossible to ascertain whether they will accept the charge of those condemned persons or will refuse compliance with the decree. You further inform me that it is the belief of yourself and your colleagues that the Mikado's decree will remain inoperative, and that no measures requiring the interference of the representatives of the foreign Christian powers will be carried out by the Mikado's government. It is sincerely to be hoped that the expectations which you have expressed may be realized. Nevertheless, the measures which have been adopted by the Mikado's government are calculated to excite profound apprehension and alarm among the friends of civilization and progress throughout the world. The Japanese have a task sufficiently arduous and perilous in the efforts they are wisely making to accommodate their political and civil institutions and customs to the commercial and social movements of the age, and to the principles and policies established by the law of nations. They have conducted themselves hitherto in making these efforts with such sincerity and directness, that they have thereby engaged the forbearance, sympathy, and friendship of all civilized nations. If now they shall under the influence of a traditional superstition reject the principle of religious toleration, they will only prepare the way for fearful and bloody political convulsions, which will not cease until Christianity shall have established its claim to be recognized and maintained by the government, and shall be universally accepted and adopted throughout the empire. What the Mikado is attempting to do in Japan differs neither in pretext, purpose, nor mode of operation, from what was attempted eighteen hundred years ago, under similar circumstances, by the imperial government at Rome. Humanity, indeed, demands and expects a continually extending sway for the Christian religion. Nevertheless it can wait the slow but steady and secure progress of conversion which is always effected sooner or later by a diffusion of knowledge and calm and persevering appeals to the reason and consciences of men. You may forbear from making a formal representation to the govern ment of the Mikado on the subject of the late decree, until it shall be more clearly seen that the measure of persecution thereby commenced is likely to take effect. In that event you will protest earnestly and firmly, but not without moderation and kindness, against the recent severe measure which the Mikado's government has adopted, and will warn him of the grave political consequences which may be expected to follow so great an error. 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 proceedings thus adopted. I am, sir, your obedient servant, assent of this government to the 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 Ōsaka 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.] 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, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH. 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. His Excellency HIGASHI KUSE CHINJIO. VON BRANDT. 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., Baron VON BRANDT, His Prussian Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires. R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Higashi Kuse Chinjio. His Excellency HIGASHI KUSE CHINJIO, LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Minister for Foreign Affairs, &c., &c., &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 men 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 |
