Mr. Seward to Mr. Pruyn
Sir: I have just received your despatches of May 8 (No. 24,) May 8 (No. 25,) May 11 (No. 26,) May 12 (No. 27.) By these papers I learn the definitive propositions which had been submitted by the British and French legations at Yedo to the Tycoon previously to the 11th of May, and their [Page 1129] purpose to adopt coercive measures in concert, after the 21st of that month, if those propositions should be rejected. I learn also from the same despatches the divisions and distraction there existed in the Japanese councils, and that the people were in an excited condition, which foreboded either the outbreak of civil war, or, more probably, the acceptation of a foreign war; and, most painful of all, the papers confirm the accounts which had before been received from the consul at Kanagawa of unprovoked violence committed at that place upon American citizens by subjects of the Tycoon.
It is a source of much satisfaction that the Wyoming had returned to that port in the midst of these occurrences, as had already been anticipated by the government here. On a careful review of all these facts, it is believed that there is no necessity to modify the instructions which were given you in my despatch of the 7th instant (No. 43.)
In regard to the acts of violence committed upon the persons of American citizens, it is presumed that you have required that the offenders shall be brought to punishment by the Tycoon’s government without delay. It is left in your discretion whether, under the circumstances which shall be existing when this despatch shall reach you, it is expedient to insist upon pecuniary forfeitures, or compensations to be paid by the government in addition to the punishment of the offenders. If you think it expedient, you are at liberty to say to the ministers of foreign affairs that the President has reserved this question for consideration after the difficulties now existing between the government of the Tycoon and the British government shall have been adjusted, and the peaceful condition of affairs which prevailed before the disturbance occurred shall have been renewed.
The President is profoundly sensible of the inefficiency of the instructions you have heretofore received for your safe guidance in an emergency that was not foreseen, and could not be anticipated. When the instructions now given you shall have arrived, the condition of affairs in Japan may be such as to render them inapplicable. Under these circumstances you must exercise a large discretion, governed by two primary considerations: namely, first, to deserve and win the confidence of the Japanese government and people if possible, with a view to the common interest of all the treaty powers. Secondly, to sustain and co-operate with the legations of those powers in good faith, so as to render their efforts to the same end effective. It may be not altogether easy to apply these two principles in the conduct of details. You will however make the best effort to do so, and will be permitted to judge which of them must give way in any case of irreconcilable conflict.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Robert H. Pruyn, Esq., &c., &c., Yokohama.