Mr. Pruyn to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that on the 31st ultimo I was waited on by two governors for foreign affairs, who informed me they had a confidential communication to make, and that for that purpose they had come without secretaries and attendants.
They stated that they had already made the communication to the British and French ministers at Yokohama, and apologized for not having made it first to me in Yedo; but they had gone to Yokahama first, as they had heard that the French minister contemplated visiting Yedo.
They proceeded to say that, at the time the treaties were made, there had been opposition on the part of the Mikado and people; that public feeling had been quieted, and it was hoped that the unfriendly feeling would be entirely removed; but that recently the Mikado had been influenced by two daimios unfriendly to foreign intercourse, (the Princes of Satsuma and Nagato,) to ask the Tycoon’s government to close the port of Kanagawa. That the Tycoon had appointed Stotsebali (one of the imperial family) as ambassador to the Mikado; and that the representations he would make, and which would be followed up by the Tycoon, on his visit in March, would remove these prejudices from the mind of the Mikado, and defeat the machinations of the daimios referred to. That these daimios had made themselves amenable to punishment, but that this might lead to a civil war, which it was desirable to avoid, as peace had now prevailed for two hundred years. They said that there was great danger [Page 1067] of a civil war; and asked, in the event of its occurrence, what would be the feeling and action of the United States.
To this I replied that the government of the United States would, of course, be deeply interested in such a struggle, and that all the moral support it could render, and all material support which would be justified by international law, would doubtless be given; and that it was my opinion that, if called on by the government of the Tycoon for aid, all the treaty-powers would be justified in giving it, in self-defence, and would give it if, as was said, the object of the hostile daimios was to drive out foreigners. The governers replied that they supposed the United States and Russia would have this disposition, but feared England and France might act contrary.
They then proceeded to say that I had probably heard that Audo Tsusima No Kami (the minister referred to in Mr. Harris’ despatch, No. 9, and in my despatch, No. 22, both of 1862) had been punished. I replied in the affirmative. They said he had been deprived of property, by way of fine, to the value of 20,000 kok of rice (5,000,000 pounds) per annum. That, among other offences he had appropriated, without the knowledge of the Tycoon, Goten-Yama for the use of the legations, and that great offence had been given to the hostile daimios and the people by reason of that, as those grounds had been used for a great number of years as a place of pleasure resort. That the Tycoon would be able to remove all other causes of difficulty; but he did not know what excuse to give for this appropriation of Goten-Yama, and if the different ministers were willing to accept another location, that it would relieve the government from great trouble.
To this I replied I had no particular preference for Goten-Yama, and would very willingly accept any location equally convenient and pleasant. They asked whether I was willing to write a letter to that effect. I replied that I had purposed to call the attention of the government to improvements it had promised and neglected to make at Goten-Yama, and that I “would close my letter by giving my views as to the selection of another location.
I then suggested that, as the buildings for the British legation were nearly completed, it might be more difficult for the British minister to consent to a change; but that, if made at all, it was manifestly proper that a better location should be offered, as otherwise it might appear as if Goten-Yama were given up because of threats which I had heard. (The people of Yedo were understood to object to Goten-Yama being given to the foreign legations, in consequence of being deprived of pleasure grounds; and it is said that it was a common remark, “The British have our plum-garden, but the blossoms will be red.” Some of the daimios were violently opposed to the concession, on the ground that it was the most commanding position in the vicinity of Yedo, which is true. The hill completely commands the five forts and the road to the city.)
They said the British minister had informed them that he had no authority to act in the matter, as Mr. Alcock, who had made the selection, was on his return to his post; but that the French minister made no objection to a change. I replied that I understood that the grounds occupied by the British legation were those which had been formerly used by the people, and which it was desired should be given up; and that, though no objections could be made to the use of the part selected for the American legation, yet as it was desirable that all the ministers should occupy contiguous grounds, I was willing to surrender that site.
I fortunately addressed a letter to the ministers, of which I enclose copy, (enclosure No. 1.) That evening, as at two o’clock of the next morning, the British legation buildings at Goten-Yama were destroyed by fire. I immediately sent an officer to inquire into the circumstances, and at once informed the British minister of the destruction of the buildings—evidently the work of incendiaries. In the evening I received a letter from the ministers, of which I enclose translation, (enclosure No. 2,) and was also waited upon by a governor for foreign [Page 1068] affairs, who gave me an account of the situation of the premises when the fire was first discovered, and that candles had been found; that the fire was set in different places at the same time, and other particulars, confirming my opinion that the premises had been fired.
On this occasion it was suggested that my residence in Yedo was not very pleasant; that I had not the same freedom of movement as I would have at Yokohama; that it might be pleasant for me to have a residence there, occasionally visiting Yedo; that as my expenses would be much increased by reason thereof, the government would be willing to provide for the same. I asked whether the ministers of foreign affairs had directed him to propose a change of residence, to which he replied he had done it on his own responsibility. I then said I had not come to Japan for my pleasure; that I had refused to leave Yedo when the other ministers did, because I had supposed I would serve my own country, and Japan also, by remaining; that when I could render such service better by departing than by remaining, I was willing to converse on the subject; but that such time had not arrived, and, in my judgment, was not likely to arrive.
I have no doubt the government would be pleased to have me, if only in appearance, reside at Yokohama, as then, at the great meeting which is soon to take place at Kioto (Miako) between the Tycoon and the Mikado, it would be possible to say, with some appearance of truth at least, that no foreigners resided at Yedo.
As I had been furnished with a paper purporting to be a copy of a letter from the Mikado to the Tycoon, I gave the Japanese version to the governor, requesting him to show it to the ministers, and ask them to inform me if it was genuine. I enclose translation, (enclosure No. 3.) It was returned to me with a message that it was substantially correct, although there were a few errors in it. I immediately addressed a letter to the ministers, saying I had received their reply; and as it became my duty to forward a copy to the President, I should be pleased to be furnished with a version which would be perfectly accurate. A governor for foreign affairs waited on me the next day, and, in the name of the ministers, requested me to withdraw my letter, as it was impossible, under their laws and usages, to give me a copy; that I had obtained one without their procurement, and that it was sufficiently correct. They begged me not to regard this refusal as unfriendly. As I complied with their request, and withdrew the letter, I do not send a copy.
You will perceive that the letter of the Mikado is highly important. I have given the ministers of Great Britain and France copies.
My opinion is that the Tycoon has sufficient power to maintain his position, even against the Mikado. The minister of France is of a different opinion, and many Japanese as well as foreigners are confident the Tycoon will never return to Yedo, but will be virtually deposed. While I do not concur in this opinion, it is evident that a crisis is approaching which will soon determine whether the great revolution which has been commenced in Japan shall be permitted to progress and to be bloodless. I trust that such will be the result. If so, it will be one of the most marvellous changes which history records.
The relations of the minister of France with this government, I regret to say, are not entirely friendly. On the occasion of his visit to Yedo, to which I have alluded, he came up in his Imperial Majesty’s steamer Duplex, so as to allow her officers to visit Yedo. It was urged by a governor of foreign affars that they should not do this, and the minister was requested not to return by the tokaido, as he proposed to do, as it was feared danger might be incurred. He has informed me that on his expressing surprise at the request and warning, as I was residing tranquilly in Yedo, and my guests were freely visiting every part of the city, he was told that there were many people who made a distinction between the Americans and the British and French; and on his asking the [Page 1069] reason, it was replied, because the British and French had so many men-of-war in Japan. I presume the guards were referred to.
The French minister said if the tokaido (main road) was not safe, he would land two hundred men from the frigate to act as his guard. He left here with his usual French and Japanese guard.
A few days thereafter I had business at Yokohama, and on its being represented that many daimios were that day on the tokaido, I accepted the offer of a Japanese war steamer to go down in; but I returned on the tokaido, and have gone down on it and returned twice, on two occasions passing through large trains armed in part with muskets, with entire safety and without the slightest evidence of unfriendly feeling. While passing through one of these trains I heard some of the officers say it was the American minister.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.
Their Excellencies the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, &c., &c., &c., Yedo.