Mr. Pruyn to Mr.
Seward
No. 15.]
Legation of the United States in
Japan, Yedo,
April 10, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that
Lieutenant Colonel Neale, her Britannic Majesty’s chargé d’affaires,
read me a communication a few days since, while I was on a short visit
to Yokohama, which he was about sending to the Japanese government,
agreeably to the instructions of Earl Russell, in which he makes a
peremptory demand on this government “which is not to be modified,
delayed, or even discussed,” but to be met within twenty days of the 6th
instant.
For the murder of the British sailors in June last at the British
legation the sum of £10,000 is again demanded;
for the murder of Mr. Richardson and the wounding of his companions on
the tokaido in September last, an apology is demanded from this
government, and also the payment of £100,000
sterling.
At the same time a frigate is to be sent to the territory of the Prince
of Satsuma (about sixty miles from Nagasaki,) with a demand for the
payment by him of the sum of £25,000, and that
the chief murderers of Mr. Richardson shall be executed in the presence
of a British officer.
A British fleet of twelve ships-of-war, under command of Rear-Admiral
Kuper, is to enforce this demand; the measures to be adopted are not yet
determined on, but a blockade or some other measure, short of
hostilities, is first to be resorted to.
As the Tycoon and all the ministers of foreign affairs are now en route
for Kioto, and the two other members of the Gorogio are now in charge of
the department of foreign affairs, I urged the British minister to
extend the time noted by him, which he said he did not feel at liberty
to do, as he had already, in consequence of their absence, extended the
time ten days; that he had before
[Page 1072]
they left Yedo sent a note advising the ministers
of foreign affairs that he was engaged in preparing an important
despatch which would require the presence of his Majesty the Tycoon and
the ministers of foreign affairs at Yedo; but they had replied, that
their norrinons (sedan chairs) were already prepared and part of their
train had already started, and they could not postpone their
journey.
I have been informed by a minister of foreign affairs that a messenger
had been despatched after the Tycoon and ministers of foreign affairs,
with a communication informing them of the nature and extent of the
demands.
It is to be regretted that this demand should have reached here at this
particular juncture. It is well known that the Tycoon has been summoned
to Kioto by the Mikado; that all the great damois will shortly assemble
there, and that the Mikado has been influenced to regard the treaties
with displeasure. At this meeting, and within a few days, the foreign
policy of this government will probably be determined, and I fear that
this demand of the British at this time will weaken the influence of the
Tycoon and his supporters, and inflame the passions, and increase the
influence, and add to the number of damois opposed to foreign trade.
I am at present inclined to believe that the money will be paid; the
murderers may not be executed, or, if it is intended to include only
those actually engaged in the commission of the crime, and not the
secretary (some say the father, and others the uncle) of Satsuma who
gave the orders, some persons may be found and put to death to personate
the offenders; I do not therefore, anticipate immediate hostilities, but
it is impossible to conjecture what may eventually happen.
I shall endeavor to act in such a manner as to meet the approbation of
the President, remembering, on the one hand, our friendly relations with
this government, and, on the other hand, your instructions as to the
necessity of harmonious relations with the treaty powers, and our
identity of interest, and at the same time your circular letter to the
treaty powers.
Should any collision take place, it is possible no distinction between
the different nationalities will be made by this government or
people.
I can only hope that peaceful relations with all the treaty powers will
continue, and that war and bloodshed may be avoided.
I sent letters, some days since, to Captain McDougal, of the Wyoming,
advising him of the condition of affairs, and asking his presence at as
early a day as consistent with duty.
The requirements for home service have prevented my asking that other
vessels be sent to these seas. As soon as they can be spared, I doubt
not, a considerable fleet will be ordered here by the President. Small
steamers will be most serviceable.
I shall continue my solitary residence here as long as possible, and
until forced to leave.
I have the honor to enclose No. 1, copy of a letter addressed to me by
the British minister, and No. 2, copy of a letter addressed by me to our
consul at Kanagawa. I addressed similar letters to our consul at
Nagasaki, and commercial agent at Hakodadi.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
ROBERT H. PRUYN, Minister Resident of the
United States of America in Japan.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.
[Page 1073]
[Untitled]
No. 40.]
Legation of the United States in
Japan, Yedo,
April 9, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose, for the
information of yourself and the citizens of the United States within
your consulate, a copy of a communication which has been addressed
to me by her Britannic Majesty’s chargé d’affaires.
You will perceive that it is quite possible that, at the expiration
of the twenty days fixed by the British government for a reply to
its demands, proceedings may be adopted which may possibly lead to
hostilities, affecting the citizens and subjects of all the treaty
powers.
It would be useless to attempt, because impossible, to form any
opinion as to the course the Japanese government may pursue. It is
sufficient to say that the short time allowed for the settlement of
the grave questions presented, in the absence of his Majesty the
Tycoon and all the ministers of foreign affairs, now en route for
Kioto, which place it is said they will not reach within ten days
from this time, may make it impossible to comply with its
demands.
At this stage of the proceedings, I consider it necessary only to
recommend that citizens of the United States pursue their business
as usual, avoiding excitement, sacrifice of property, and all
exposure to danger.
Their position, until otherwise determined by the action of the
government of the United States, or by hostile acts of the Japanese
government or people, which are not apprehended, must be that of
entire neuatility.
I am in the daily expectation of seeing one or more of our national
vessels at the port of Kanagawa.
For greater security, I recommend that the citizens of the United
States shall have an organization, which may enable them to act in
concert. They will readily perceive that for the present it is
proper that this organization shall be confined to our own
nationality. You will not understand this suggestion as indicating
that our interests are distinct from those of the other treaty
powers. Even if so inclined, the United States may not be able to
separate them. But thus far nothing has disturbed the peaceful
relations between the government of the United States and that of
Japan, and it is to be hoped that nothing will change those
relations.
I shall continue my residence in Yedo, and, from time to time, give
you such information as may be necessary for your guidance and that
of our citizens.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
ROBERT H. PRUYN, Minister Resident of the
United States in Japan, &c., &c.,
&c.
George S. Fisher, Esq., American Consul, Kanagawa, Japan.
[Untitled]
No. 18.]
Her Majesty’s Legation, Yokohama,
April 7, 1863.
Sir: I have already availed myself of the
earliest opportunity to read to you a note which I have addressed to
the Japanese government, containing a declaration of grievances and
unrequitted outrages, of which British subjects have been the
victims and sufferers, and for which I have demanded, under
instructions from her Britannic Majesty’s government, a specific
reparation within a noted period of time.
It is sincerely to be hoped and desired that the government of the
Tycoon, influenced by wise and just reflections, will yield a ready
compliance with the demand now rendered imperatively necessary by
unprovoked and outrageous
[Page 1074]
acts committed by Japanese subjects, and for which no redress has
been offered or accorded.
On the other hand, in the face of the possible contingency which
exists of the Japanese government refusing to accede to those
demands, or hoping to evade them by futile arguments or
procrastination, it becomes my duty to apprize you of the inevitable
adoption of coercive measures which will be entered upon by the
rear-admiral commanding-in-chief her Britannic Majesty’s naval
forces in these seas, at present, arrived here with a considerable
squadron, and furnished with instructions to the above effect,
analogous to my own.
Twenty days, dating from the 6th instant, as I have had the honor to
communicate to you, is the period allotted as the term which I will
await the definite and categorical reply of the Japanese government,
the nature of which, when received, may necessitate the adoption of
coercive operations on the part of the admiral, increasing in
severity proportionate to the degree of ill-advised resistance which
the Japanese government may assume.
During the interview, you will probably deem it essential and
desirable to communicate the situation of affairs which I have the
honor to represent to the citizens of the United States, residents
at the open ports of Japan, with the view that they may individually
adopt such precautionary measures for the safeguard of their
interests as may be deemed expedient under your counsel and
guidance.
In respect to general measures of defence against aggression or
attack at the several settlements, the admiral commanding her
Britannic Majesty’s naval forces will very shortly propose to
concert with the diplomatic agents and naval commanders of foreign
states, on the spot, respecting the adoption of such combined
arrangements as may be practicable and expedient.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you the assurances of
my high regard and consideration, with which I subscribe myself your
obedient, humble
EDWARD ST. JOHN NEALE, Her Britannic
Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires, &c., &c., &c, in
Japan.
General R. H. Pruyn, Minister Resident of the United States in Japan,
Yedo.
