Mr. Pruyn to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that his Majesty the Tycoon left Yedo on the 31st ultimo for Kioto, to which place his guardian, the regent of the empire, [Page 1075] and also all three of the ministers for foreign affairs have repaired; he two other members of the council being charged with the department of foreign affairs ad interim.
This visit has been made on the invitation, or, perhaps the order, of the Mikado. No such visit has been made by any Tycoon for two hundred years. The event, therefore, has great significance.
The leading daimios of the empire will, at the same time, meet there in council. It is conceded by the ministers of the Tycoon, as I have already informed you, that the Mikado is hostile to foreigners, and has demanded their exclusion from Kanagawa. In this he is encouraged and sustained by at least two of the eighteen powerful daimios.
I indulge the hope that the result of this meeting will be to sanction the policy of the Tycoon, strengthen his power, effectually disarm the hostile daimios, and give peace to the empire.
All kinds of rumors prevail, such as the abdication of the Tycoon, the abandonment of Yedo as the seat of government, and many others of like character, all of which I believe to be false.
I am informed by the government that the Tycoon will soon return to Yedo; and it is now said that he is already on his journey.
In this connexion, I invite your attention to a memorandum of a conversation I had, on the 23d of June last, with Takemoto Deulio No Kami, one of the governors of foreign affairs, wherein you will see that he gave me the information that the Tycoon is outranked by at least four personages in this empire. The admission of this by the government is more extraordinary than the fact itself. It is undeniable, however, that at Kioto he occupies this subordinate position; but I have every reason to believe that the actual power and rule of the empire is vested in the Tycoon.
On the occasion referred to, I asked the governor whether the Tycoon had also the title of Nai-dai-jin. After a short conference with the O’Metske, (censor,) who accompanied him, he replied in the affirmative. How long has he held that title? Answer. Three years. Has it not been conferred since his marriage, or on the occasion of his marriage with the Mikado’s daughter? Answer. No; he has had it for three years. Who is the next person in rank to the Mikado? Answer. The Dai-jo-dai-jin. This answer was accompanied by the remark that the Tycoon had more power. I replied, I was aware of that; I am only speaking of rank. After some other conversation, the governor again referred to this subject, saying he did not know that any one filled that office now, and was not sure but what it was vacant. I then asked what is the next rank to that of Dai-jo-dai-jin? Answer. Sadaisin. What is the next to that? Answer. Udai-jin. What is the next to that? Answer. Then comes the Nai-dai-jin (Tycoon.)
I made several other inquiries as to the rank of the officers at Kioto, but the governor declared that he did not possess the requisite information to give me the answers.
I have thought if of importance to bring to your notice this first official acknowledgment, from an officer of the Tycoon, of the existence of more than one person in Japan of rank superior to that of the Tycoon.
I did not, at the time, regard this of sufficient importance to make it the subject of a special communication; but now that his Majesty the Tycoon has seen fit to appear at the court of Kioto, where he is thus outranked, I have thought it worthy of your notice.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.