Mr. Pruyn to Mr. Seward
Sir: I was this day informed, by order of the Gorogio, by Jakemoto Hayato No Kami, one of the governors for foreign affairs, of the details of the interview [Page 1095] between the ministers and admirals of France and England with Jakemoto Kai No Kami and himself, as the envoys of the Gorogio.
They had several times declined the offer of assistance to the Tycoon, fearing that the knowledge even that such a proposition had been made might disturb the peace of the empire; but that finally, as the ministers and admirals were not satisfied with their answer, the government has reluctantly agreed to despatch an officer in whom they had entire confidence to the Tycoon, and that the first of the two governors named had accordingly been despatched for the purpose of making known to the Tycoon this offer, and return with his reply.
This governor, Hayato No Kami, further stated that the whole matter had been kept secret, and was unknown even to his colleagues the governors for foreign affairs—the knowledge being confined to the two governors named and the Gorogio.
Unless a collision shall have taken place at Kioto, or the civil war, which I wrote you on the 16th of February last was feared, shall break out or appear imminent, I do not anticipate the offer will be accepted. I believe that if the alternative be distinctly presented, a foreign war will be accepted, if thereby a civil war may be averted, calamitous as it may prove.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.