Mr. Pruyn to Mr. Seward
Sir: I regret to be obliged to inform you that on the sixth instant, as the Japanese people were leaving Yokohama, large bodies of laborers marched through the streets of the place, demanding payment of the sums due for wages. A number gathered before the house of R. Schoyer, an American [Page 1097] citizen, threatening his life and property. Mr. Schoyer paid a large sum for labor which was not actually due under his contract. Another body gathered before the place of business of Monsieur Bourret, a French subject, making similar demands in his absence; here, being probably too excited, his clerk, Dupontes, fired on the contractor, who headed them. About the same time the vice-consul of France, La Peyrouse, arrived, and also shot the man, who likewise received two bayonet wounds from one or more of the French guard.
The previous evening Mr. J. O. P. Stearns, an American citizen, was attacked on his own premises by some laborers, and greatly bruised; he was fortunately rescued by his servants.
On the morning of the 6th, Mr. Samuel Robertson, an American citizen, was seized in his house and forcibly carried off (as he thinks) towards the swamp in the rear of Yokohama, for the purpose of putting him to death. Mr. Robertson was fortunately rescued by some Americans, and some of the British guard.
I have not received any report from our consul on these matters; he is now engaged in taking testimony. I have, at the request of the Japanese government, to which I made vigorous remonstrances, instituted some inquiries.
I propose making no specific demand for reparation, other than the punishment of the offenders.
I abstain from making any demand for pecuniary compensation, though strongly urged to do so, in the absence of full knowledge of the facts; because I think such demand would be ill-timed now, and because I think it proper to submit the whole case to the President.
Whatever demand be made should be made after due deliberation, and then never abandoned.
I will inform this government that I propose referring the case to the President, taking care to notify them that the punishment meanwhile of the offenders will be viewed with satisfaction by the President.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.