Mr. Pruyn to Mr.
Seward
No. 32.]
Legation of the United States in
Japan, Yokohama,
June 15, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit No. 1, copy
of a letter addressed by me to the French minister, informing him of the
destruction by fire of the United States legation buildings at Yedo, and
Nos. 2 and 3, copies of replies from the French minister and British
chargé d’affaires, to whom a similar letter had been addressed by
me.
The consul general of the Netherlands left Nagasaki on his way to
Java.
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.
[Enclosure No. 1.]
Mr. Pruyn
to Mr. D. de
Bellecourt.
Legation of the United States in
Japan, Yokohama,
June 9, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you of the
destruction by fire of the buildings occupied by the United States
legation in Yedo, on the 24th ultimo, at 2 a. m.
As I have already unofficially stated to you, the fire originated in
the kitchen, or in a small building adjoining, and in fifteen
minutes from the time of its discovery, enveloped so completely the
entire buildings as to allow me only opportunity to save the public
archives.
My interviews with the Japanese government in relation to the cause
of the fire, and provision for another residence, and my temporary
removal to this place, must be my apology for the delay in this
official announcement.
I have no wish to attribute the destruction of the legation buildings
to design, nor have I any reason for any such belief, aside from the
great desire which has been constantly shown to have me take up my
residence in this place.
Some occurrences calculated to excite suspicion had attracted my
notice, which I have frankly stated to the government. While their
force has been admitted, I am, nevertheless, assured that the
evidence taken establishes, beyond a doubt, that the fire was
accidental.
The government has prepared plans for a temporary residence for me in
the large temple within the enclosure, which was not destroyed, and
I suppose the work on such temporary residence has been commenced. I
remained in Yedo one week after the fire to arrange this, refusing
to leave the city, even for a visit to this place, until I had
positive assurances of such provision for my residence at Yedo.
I had fixed the time of my departure from Yedo on such visit for the
1st of June, but was induced to leave late in the evening of the day
preceding, on receiving notice from the government of the discovery
of an organization to
[Page 1103]
attack myself and the guard that night. I was informed that an
additional force had been sent for my protection, but that, in the
event of a night attack, some accident might happen to me. The
additional argument was strongly urged that my removing that
afternoon would leave them free from apprehension for my, safety,
and enable them to act with more vigor against the conspirators
(ronins,) whom the government, at the very time, were causing to be
surrounded.
Under these circumstances I did not feel at liberty to refuse leaving
a few hours earlier than I had intended.
It is my present intention to resume my residence at Yedo early next
month.
I have the honor to be, sir, your excellency’s obedient, humble
servant,
ROBERT H. PRUYN, Minister Resident of the
United States in Japan.
His Excellency Duchesne de Belle court, Minister Plenipotentiary of France in
Japan.
[Enclosure No. 2.]
Mr. D. de
Bellecourt to Mr. Pruyn.
[Translation.]
Legation and Consulate General
of France in Japan, Yokohama,
Kanagawa,
June 10, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of yesterday, informing me of the destruction
by fire of the United States legation buildings at Yedo, and of the
circumstances which induced you to hasten the arrangements taken for
a short visit to Yokohama.
Your excellency is aware of the sympathy I felt at this untoward
event. I beg to add that I hope, with you, that the Japanese
government will prove, by energetic action, that, under pretext of
domestic troubles, it will not allow that clause of the treaties to
be set aside which stipulates the right of residence of the
diplomatic agents in Yedo.
Be pleased to accept, sir, the assurance of the high consideration
with which I have the honor to be, your excellency’s most obedient,
humble servant,
DUCHESNE DE BELLECOURT, Minister
Plenipotentiary of France in Japan.
His Excellency General R. H. Pruyn, Minister Resident of the United States in
Japan.
[Enclosure No. 3.]
Colonel
Neale to Mr. Pruyn.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your despatch No. 64, of the 9th instant, upon the
subject of the destruction by fire of that portion of the temple at
Yedo which was occupied by the United States legation.
I beg to express my extreme sympathy and deep regret at this untoward
and unexpected event. That it was occasioned by the act of political
incendiaries, of which you have some suspicion, I have little doubt,
judging from the contents of past and passing events of a similar
character. The general plan (now evident and not disavowed by the
Japanese government) for the expulsion of foreigners from localities
where their presence is most distasteful, is visibly enacting
[Page 1104]
before our eyes. The
multiplicity of grievances, and absence, at present, of fitting
opportunity, having special matters on hand, alone retards the
sweeping away of the ill-advised and futile efforts which more or
less hostile parties in Japan oppose to the entire and complete
execution of treaty obligations. For myself I beg leave to declare
that I will enter upon that work systematically, taking the
obstructions presented to us seriatim, in the
order of their importance.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
E. ST. JOHN NEALE, Her Britannic Majesty’s
Chargé d’Affaires, &c., &c.
General Robert H. Pruyn, Minister Resident of the United States in Japan.
