I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient
servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.
[Untitled]
We have to state to your excellency that we sufficiently examined
those who had any relations with Ito Gunbe, who, in the 5th month of
this year, slipped into the temporary residence of the British envoy
and was wounded while killing two British sentries, but no
accomplices were found.
If this criminal were still alive he would be sentenced to death, but
having committed suicide already, we ordered his remains to be
destroyed, and those who had any relations with him to be sentenced
to suitable punishments.
Having stated the foregoing to the chargé d’affaires and
consul-general of Great Britain, transmitting three documents
relating to the sentries in this case, we now enclose copies thereof
to your excellency for your information.
With respect and esteem. The
6th day of the 8th month of the 2d year of Bunkin, (the 29th
August 1862.)
WAKISAKA NAKATSAKA NO TAYU.
MIDSUNO IDSUMI NO KAMI.
ITAKURA SUWO NO KAMI.
His Excellency Robert H. Pruyn, Minister Resident of the United States,
&c., &c., &c.
No 2.
Mizake Onotaro, of his Majesty’s body-guard, charged with the
protection of the foreigner.—(To be under arrest during fifty
days.)
This officer, being at his post near the temporary residence of the
British envoy at To-sen-ji, fought with the criminal, knocking the
spear out of his hands after he had slipped in, he (Onotaro) being
wounded in consequence, but not so seriously as to prevent his
action; although the light in his lantern [Page 1046] had gone out, and it was dark, yet he ought
to have used all his efforts against the pressing danger, but,
leaving his post, he went to the guard-house of Mihari-izo, crying
out, and then lighting the candle of his lantern, he came back to
the place where he had been stationed, thus giving, in the mean
time, the criminal a chance to effect his escape; wherefore, he has
been sentenced to punishment as above stated.
Nagai Salutaro, of his Majesty’s guard, charged with the protection
of the foreigner.—(Arrest during thirty days.)
This officer, stationed in front of the officer’s room of the
temporary residence of the British envoy at To-sen-ji, heard some
one cry out near the garden, and also the report of a fire-arm; he
(Salutaro) then went to the veranda to see if there was any
criminal, but, owing to the darkness of the night, he could see
nothing; although the occurrence was not at his post, yet he should
have noticed that on the spot which he ought to have seen something
criminal was taking place, and he did not go there quickly;
wherefore, he is sentenced to punishment as above stated.
No. 3.
Karasarra So, izo o Karrada Dsibuongemon, subordinate officers of
Matsudaira Gamba No Kami, (arrest during fifty days;) and Watanbe
Doyemon Ga Kaji Dsirotaro, (arrest during thirty days.)
These four persons were at the Mihari bargo, (guard-house,) but they
did not know that Ito Gunbe, having on that night a spear and a
lantern with the marks of their master in his hands, and also
disguising himself as if he were a relief for some station, came to
that part of the grounds which was under their supervision, murdered
and wounded the British and escaped daring the confusion; wherefore,
they are sentenced to punishment as above stated.
Note.—Ga Kaji Dsirotaro was sick and
died.
Masakitshi, servant of Gamba No Kami, (severe reprimand;) was sick
and died.
This person was also at the Mihari guard-house, but he knew nothing
of the occurrence at the time; wherefore, he is sentenced to
punishment as above stated.
Saigo Moriye and Jomonari Kakugemon, subordinate officers of Gamba No
Kami.—(Arrest during thirty days.)
These two persons were at the rendezvous at To-sen-ji on that night,
and did not know that Ito Gunbe committed the evil deed, as they
neglected to go to their post; wherefore, they are sentenced to
punishment as above stated.
Dsensabo, servant of Gamba No Kami.—(Arrest during thirty days.)
This man was in the servant’s room of the place of protection, when
some one, having the lantern of his master in his hands and a
garment with the proper mark on his person, came to him and asked
“What is the password to-night?” saying he had forgotten it; and
inadvertently he had replied, “It is Tama,” thinking him to be one
of the officers on duty; in consequence of this, the person
approached the British with the password, wounded and killed them;
wherefore, he is sentenced to punishment as above stated.
[Page 1047]
Toyojo, gate-keeper at the guard-house near the residence of the
priests of the temple of Koöyasau.—(Severe reprimand.)
Through the gate when this person was on duty, Ito Gunbe went out,
but he did not know it; wherefore, he is sentenced to punishment as
above stated.
O Kamara Kandzo, GaKahari GoKidzazemon, and Sinza Enoske, subordinate
officers of Gamba No Kami—(Arrest during fifty days.)
To these three persons, who always lived together with Ito Gunbe, at
their master’s residence, he communicated that he had assassinated
the foreigners, and came back, as he had received a wound himself
from a fire weapon; this they reported to the proper person keeping
watch over him, (Gunbe.) This being the case, they should have
watched him properly, but thinking that he was asleep, they left him
to himself, (let him go free;) he was thus enabled to commit
suicide; and, besides, they prevaricated; wherefore, they have been
sentenced to punishment as above stated.
Goyosima Hiroyemon, subordinate officers of Gamba No Kami.—(Arrest
during fifty days.)
This officer immediately ordered those who had always lived together
with Ito Gunbe, and informed him that Gunbe had wounded and murdered
the foreigners, received a wound himself, and had come back, to
watch him, but he (Hiroyemon) left unnoticed the neglect of the
guard, through which neglect Gunbe was enabled to commit suicide;
and, moreover, he, (Hiroyemon,) from the beginning, has been
shuffling; wherefore, he is sentenced to punishment as above
stated.
Matakitchi, servant of Gamba No Kami.—(Arrest during thirty
days.)
This person, on seeing the corpse of Ito Gunbe, and during the
examination, spoke that was wrong; wherefore, he is sentenced to
punishment as above stated.
Osana Orisiro and Inoze Kadsuzemon, gate-keepers and soldiers of
Gamba No Kami.
These two were on duty in the guard-house near Gamba No Kami’s
residence, and, without saying anything, allowed Ito Gunbe to come
in, and after he received the wound, to go back and through the
gate, which was not in accordance with their duty as gate-keepers;
wherefore, Matsadaira Gamba No Kami has been instructed to sentence
them to suitable punishment.