Mr. Pruyn to Mr.
Seward
No. 21.]
Legation of the United States in
Japan, Yedo,
May 3, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you, that on
the 19th ultimo I received a letter from the minister for foreign
affairs, of which I enclose translation, enclosure No. 1, in relation to
the postponement of the time fixed for their reply to the British
demands. I was, on that day, waited on by Mragake Awadli Go Kami and
Jakemolo Hayato No Kami, two of the governors for foreign affairs, as
the ministers, in consequence of being charged with the entire business
of the empire, in the absence of their colleagues, were unable to
explain their wishes in person.
After a full and frank, conversation, in which they informed me that it
was impossible to act in the absence of the Tycoon and his counsel, I
advised that the ministers of foreign affairs should address a letter to
the British minister, taking care to base their application on the
ground of the necessity of such conjoint action, and not on the ground
of convenience. I also advised them to enclose a copy of such letter to
the minister of France, anp asked his friendly interposition, and
requested, also, that a copy be sent to me for your information. I now
enclose No. 2, translation of their second letter to me, and No. 3,
translation of their letter to the British minister, accompanying the
same.
I immediately proceeded to Yokohama, and had an interview with the
British and French ministers. The latter was either, not disposed, or
unable to accompany me to my interview with Colonel Neale.
I found the British minister unwilling to grant the extension asked,
because he thought it unnecessary, and only designed to gain time. It
was finally agreed that I should call the next day, after the letter
from the ministers which I enjoined him was to be sent, had been
received, when he would see whether it was evasive; in which event, he
declared the time should not be extended. When I saw him the next
morning, the letter had been received, but not translated. After it had
been placed in his hands, and we had conversed at some lengh, he
informed me the arrangement must necessarily be made direct with the
Japanese government, in the propriety of which I concurred.
As one of the governors for foreign affairs had, unfortunately, invited
Fekohama, to call on the French minister, and Colonel Neale understood
he had likewise come down to see him, the business was not positively
concluded, though I was certain the delay would he conceded.
Fortunately, the governor called on the British minister, though he had
been instructed not to do so. I say
[Page 1077]
fortunately, as I am satisfied offence would have
been given if he had not done so, though the result was, that the time
finally granted was limited to fifteen days, instead of the thirty days
asked. I enclose No. 4, copy of Colonel Neale’s letter, informing me of
such extension.
The government have since thanked me for my friendly interposition, and
informed me that they attributed the successful result of their
application entiaely to my mediation.
I have this day had an interview with one of the governors for foreign
affairs. He informs me the Tycoon arrived at Kioto on the 21st day of
April that two governors have been sent to hasten his return—one
overland, the other by sea, and they hope to be able to arrive at a
decision within the time fixed. The government has promised to keep me
fully and promptly advised of all their movements.
I regret we have no national vessel here. The Wyoming, I am informed has
been badly injured by striking a sunken rock, and been obliged to go to
dry dock at Amoy.
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.
Japanese
ministers
to
Mr.
Pruyn
[Enclosure No.
1.—Translation.]
We have to inform your excellency that the British minister, by
letter of the 6th instant, has fully acquainted us with a demand his
government instructed him to make, stating that a decisive answer is
required within twenty days from the date of that letter.
It is desirable, however, that an extension be granted, as the
letter, under present circumstances, cannot be answered soon.
We therefore request you to mediate for the obtainment of an
extension of the limit as above stated. From the treaty such great
friendship may be expected; and also, because we experienced your
friendly feeling on more than one occasion.
The government of foreign affairs, Muragaki Awadli No Kami and
Takemoto Hayato No Kami, under our instructions, will fully inform
you of all the circumstances; and we now ask you, taking this into
due consideration, for your friendly offices in this matter.
Stated with respect and esteem,
the 3d day of the 3d month of the 3d year of Bunkin, (the
19th April, 1863.)
MATSUDAIRA BOODZEN NO KAMI.
INOWUYE KAWATSI NO KAMI.
His Excellency Robert H. Pruyn, Minister Resident of the United States of
America, &c., &c.
Japanese
ministers
to
Mr.
Pruyn
[Enclosure No.
2—.Translation.]
We have to inform your excellency that the British envoy has recently
communicated to us a demand for damages and other matters in
relation to the murders committed last year at Tosenji, (British
legation at Yedo,) and in the village Nama-mungi, (September,
1862.)
[Page 1078]
After all our efforts to arrange this, we are at last compelled to
send him such a communication as submitted in accompanying copy of
the same. Should it happen that this communication is not acceptable
to him, it will have an influence in the relations between the two
countries and lead to difficulty, which gives us profound
anxiety.
We therefore beseech your excellency to lend us your aid, and
specially endeavor to induce the British minister to grant us the
request which we cannot avoid making.
A similar application was also sent to the French minister at once,
and we now urgently request your excellency to consult with him and
lend us your friendly offices.
Stated with respect and esteem,
the 4th day of the 3d month of the 3d year of Bunkin, (the
20th April, 1863.)
MATSUDAIRA BOODZEN NO KAMI.
INOWUYE KAWATSI NO KAMI.
His Excellency Robert H. Pruyn, Minister Resident of the United States of
America, &c., &c.
The Japanese
ministers
to
Colonel
Neale
[Enclosure No
3.—Translation.]
We have to inform your excellency that your letter (No. 14) of the
6th of April, 1863, after being translated, was sent by special
messenger to our colleagues who are with his Majesty the Tycoon, on
his journey, as we recently stated to you. They at once represented
the matter to his Majesty the Tycoon, and sent us a reply in
writing, which we have now received.
“According to law and usage in our empire the matter has first to be
considered at the meeting of the guardian of his Majesty the Tycoon,
the regent and council of State, after which a decision is to be
taken; it cannot be done in another manner; further, it is very
inconvenient that, while on a journey, such an arrangement cannot be
made. In order, however, to lose no time, and in view of arranging
what you stated in a convenient manner, as soon as possible, the
time will be shortened from what was first intended; and within
thirty days from now his Majesty would be back in the castle.” Hence
it is stated to us, “that his Majesty the Tycoon entertains no doubt
that such an unavoidable delay will be admitted by the government of
England;” which we have to state at once.
And we most urgently request that you will consent to the above.
With respect and esteem, the
4th day of the 3d month of the 3d year of Bunkin, (the 20th
April, 1863.)
MATSUDAIRA BOODZEN NO KAMI.
INOWYE KAWUATSI NO KAMI.
His Excellency E. St. John Neale, Chargé d’Affaires and Consul-General of Great
Britain, &c., &c.
Colonel
Neale
to
Mr.
Pruyn
[Enclosure No. 4.]
Yokohama,
April 25, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that
communications have been made to me in urgent terms by the Japanese
ministers, which have resulted in the
[Page 1079]
accordance, on my part, of an additional
period for the definite and categorical answer to the demands I have
made, under instructions from her Britannic Majesty’s
government.
The extended term now allotted will terminate on the 11th of May
next, inclusive, when the same situation of affairs will prevail, as
I have already had the honor to refer to, should the demands remain
unsatisfied.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
EDWARD ST. JOHN NEALE, H. B. M.’s Chargé
d’Affaires, &c., &c., &c.,
Japan.
General R. H. Pruyn, Minister Resident of the United States of America,
Japan.
