Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part II

Mr. Pruyn to Mr. Seward

No. 40.]

Legation of this United States in Japan, Yokohama, June 24, 1863.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the British indemnity was not paid, as agreed, on the 18th instant, but payment was refused.

Thereupon Colonel Neale suspended all intercourse with the Japanese government, and handed over the settlement of the demand to Vice-Admiral Kuper, I enclose (No. 1) copy of his letter to that effect.

On the 20th instant the two governors of Kanagawa waited on me, and informed me that the indemnity was not to be paid, though the money was all ready, because orders had been received from the Tycoon forbidding it.

Late in the evening of that day the French minister called on me, and informed me that the same communication had been made to him, but that the governor had also announced the receipt of orders from the Tycoon for the expulsion of foreigners.

I thereupon sent for the governors, and one of them waited on me the next day, and upon my inquiring whether any orders had been received by him for the expulsion of foreigners, I was met by the question: “From whom did you hear this?” I replied, “I will tell you as soon as you answer my question.” He then informed me that orders to that effect had been received. On my asking “why he had informed the French minister of their receipt, and withheld the knowledge of the same from me,” he replied: “That he had done so because the French minister had asked him, (this the French minister denied,) but that it was proposed to disregard the orders. They were not disposed to reflect the wishes and views of the Tycoon; that the Mikado had been prejudiced against foreigners by bad men at Kioto, that he had given such orders; that the Tycoon was obliged to obey them, or he would lose his office and life; but that the ministers at Yedo knew that the orders could not be executed; they had neither ships-of-war nor arms to accomplish this; besides, the Tycoon had made the treaties and wished to observe them.” In reply to my questions, he further stated: “That protection would be extended to American citizens; and that he would give orders that the Japanese merchants and servants should not leave the place as before, and that no attempt would be made to execute the order of the Tycoon.”

Near midnight of the next day the governor of Kanagawa waited on me, and informed me that he would pay the British indemnity on the 24th instant, (this day;) that Ogalawara Dlusio No Kami, minister of foreign affairs, would proceed to Kioto the next day by sea, for the purpose of changing the hostile views of the Mikado; that he would stop at Yokohama, and wished to see all the ministers; that as time would not permit him to see them separately, he wished to know if I would meet him on board the French admiral’s ship, as he had important business, and the French minister had proposed that place of meeting. I consented to attend at any hour. On the previous day I had received a letter from the same minister informing me he wished to see me on important business.

Yesterday the minister of France informed me that he had made such proposition, but had not finally agreed to it. That it was understood that the governor was to wait on him the next day and receive his decision.

The governor accordingly visited him, and informed him that the minister proposed to notify the ministers of the treaty powers that orders had been received for their expulsion, and to request them to leave,

The French minister then said that such communication had better be reduced to writing. The governor asked what form had better be adopted, and received a very short one. He then asked what the minister’s reply would be?

He said first he would say, “that he would transmit a copy of such letter to his own government and await orders;” further, “that he would demand that Yokohama meanwhile be given up to the French admiral to guard; that trade should not be interrupted, and that the governor of Kanagawa should not be changed.”

Shortly after the interpreter returned, and said that the form of letter given by the French minister was too strong, and that it would be modified; that it would be announced to the Japanese that foreigners were ordered to withdraw; that the minister had written to their government for instructions; that meanwhile trade should not be interrupted; that the governor would probably call frequently on the different ministers; that the people would be given to understand that this was done for the purpose of negotiating with them about leaving; but that it would be for the purpose of giving information as to the situation of affairs at Kioto. He also said he would that day pay the money, and that he would do this even if orders were issued from Yedo forbidding it. He would keep his word, and then commit hara kiri. The French minister begged him not to speak of suicide, which was regarded by the civilized world as an act of cowardice. He replied that the custom of his country required that an officer disobeying orders should commit it.

The French admiral, Jaures, was present at all the interviews held with the French minister, and Commodore McDougal at most of those held with me.

The French minister has promised me a copy of memoranda of these different conversations, which I shall send at an early day, together with memoranda of those between the governor and myself.

At 5 o’clock a. m. of this day the indemnity was paid.

At 9 o’clock I received from the minister of foreign affairs the letter of which I enclose a translation, (enclosure No. 2,) asking foreigners to withdraw. As the mail closes at 10 o’clock, I have no time for comment.

The minister is now on board the steamer Emperor, lying in this harbor, and may at any moment ask an interview.

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.

Colonel Neale to Mr. Pruyn

[Enclosure No. 1.]

Yokohama, June 20, 1863.

Sir: I have the honor to communicate to you the present situation of affairs in regard to the subject of the British demand upon the Japanese government.

The patience and moderation which I have exercised in my communication with the Tycoon’s government in the earnest desire of bringing a peaceful settlement of the avowedly just demands for reparation preferred by her Majesty’s government are well known and sufficiently manifest.

At the most recent date, the 18th instant, those objects which I had in view were on the very eve of being happily accomplished. The Japanese government, through its envoys, had, after innumerable difficulties, solemnly and unreservedly entered into a written engagement with me to pay the pecuniary demands at short specified intervals, the first payment to have been made on the date above referred to.

That day has been reached and passed, and the Japanese ministers have flagrantly, unequivocally, and designedly broken their faith.

In the most unjustifiable and audacious manner the Tycoon’s government now seeks to reopen negotiations previous to accomplishing their solemn assent to the settlement of the pecuniary portion of the demands, and openly declare their intention to withhold all payments, thus most effectually extinguishing all remaining faith in even their most solemn engagements.

As her Majesty’s representative, I have now, therefore, to declare that the utmost limits of my patience (consistently exerted and directed to exact the reparation sought by peaceful means, and which I had good reason to hope had been successfully exercised) are exhausted.

I have had the honor during a period of ten weeks, at intervals, to inform you that the adoption of coercive measures was an impending contingency, though the probability or otherwise of their occurrence was alternately stronger or feebler as matters progressed.

On my part I have not failed to advert to the worst and most regretable emergency which could arise, namely, the necessity which might present itself (with a view to the security of their persons and property) of abandoning the open ports, while the vice-admiral commanding-in-chief has as often and as consistently declared his inability to hold, militarily, the settlement if coercive measures were actually resorted to effectually to enforce compliance with the demands.

As long as a chance of honest though tardy action could be anticipated on the part of the Japanese government, I have scrupulously deferred initiatory hostilities by an appeal to force. But I now feel myself urgently called upon to leave the adoption of the only measures which the rulers of this country would appear to understand or appreciate, viz: those of coercion, to the admiral, into whose hands I will this day consign the solution of affairs.

Thus, within a very short period, the policy of expediency invariably adopted by the Japanese government may possibly lead them to repair their broken faith by the actual payment of the indemnities, and a more peaceful aspect of affairs may present itself again; or, on the other hand, the admiral may have deemed it advisable to profit by circumstances to carry out some of the operations he may decide upon.

You will, no doubt, judge, sir, the measures which the subjects of your nation should most expediently adopt under all the circumstances here most unreservedly and explicitly set forth.

I need hardly add that I shall not fail immediately to concert with Admiral Kuper and with Admiral Jaures, whose frank and cordial proffered co-operation I am fully assured of, respecting such temporary measures for the safeguard of the community in this emergency as may be practicable.

I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

EDW. ST. JOHN NEALE, Her Britannic Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires And Acting Consul General in Japan.

General Robert H. Pruyn, Minister Resident of the United States in Japan.

Ogosowara to Mr. Pruyn

[Translation.—Enclosure No. 2.]

I have the honor to inform your excellency that I have received full powers to act on the subject herein stated.

I have received orders from his Majesty the Tycoon, now residing at Kioto, and who received orders from the Mikado to cause the opened ports to be closed and the foreigners (subjects) of the treaty powers to be removed, as our people will have no intercourse with them; hence negotiation on this subject will afterwards take place with your excellency.

With respect and esteem, the 9th day of the 5th month of the 3d year of Bunkin, (the 24th June, 1863.)

OGOSAWARA DSUSIO NO KAMI.

His Excellency Robert H. Pruyn, Minister of the United States, &c., &c., &c.