Mr. Pruyn to Mr. Seward

No. 47.]

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith No. 1, translation of a letter received from the ministers of foreign affairs, informing me of the result of the investigations instituted into the recent attack at the British legation, and the punishment inflicted on those judged derelict of duty; and No. 2, translation of the document accompanying that letter.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

ROBERT H. PRUYN, Minister Resident in Japan.

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.


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. 1.

When Matsudaira Gamba No Kami was charged with the protection of the temporary residence of the British envoy at To-sen-ji, his subordinate officer, Ito Gunbe, slipped in and murdered British subjects; and besides, other officers, also subordinates of Gamba No Kami, who had been placed there for protection, were unable to arrest the said Gunbe; this was caused by imperfect instructions to his subordinates. For this neglect he was reprimanded, and having requested to be put under arrest, he is now under arrest in compliance with his request.

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.