Mr. Burnley to Mr. Seward
Washington,
December 22, 1864.
Sir: I have received the instructions of her
Majesty’s government to communicate to the United States government
copies, herewith enclosed, of Sir Rutherford Alcock’s despatches on the
late events in Japan.
Her Majesty’s government having considered these despatches, has
signified to Sir R. Alcock, in the despatch of which I beg also to
enclose a copy, her Majesty’s gracious approval of his conduct.
As regards the future policy to be observed in dealing with the Japanese
government, her Majesty’s government think it advisable to await the
result of the negotiations which, at the date of Sir R. Alcock’s
despatches, were still in progress between the representatives of the
treaty powers and the ministers of the Tycoon, and perhaps the arrival
of Sir R. Alcock in England, which may be expected in a few weeks,
before taking any definitive decision on the subject; but in the
meanwhile her Majesty’s representative in Japan will be apprised with
reference to Sir R. Alcock’s despatch No. 63, of the 28th of September,
that her Majesty’s government are willing to renounce any money payment
on account of the forbearance shown by the allied troops in dealing with
the town of Simonsoaki, and on account of the expenses of the expedition
against the Prince of Nagato, if greater or equal advantages can be
secured by stipulations to be obtained from the Tycoon or the
Mikado.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most
obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
&c., &c., &c.
[Page 24]
Earl Russell to Sir R. Alcock
Foreign Office,
December 2 1864.
Sir: Your despatch of the 28th of December
is a successful vindication of the policy you have pursued.
My despatches of the.26th of July were written with a view to
discourage the interruption of a progressive trade by acts of
hostility, and to forbid recourse to force while the treaty was
generally observed. These despatches you will understand remain in
full force. But the documents you have sent me, which arrived by the
last mail, show that the silk trade was almost wholly interrupted by
the Tycoon, who seemed to be preparing to abet or to abandon the
project of driving out foreigners according to the boldness or the
timidity of our demeanor. In this position there could be no better
course than to punish and disarm the Daimio Prince of Nagata. That
course had these three separate advantages:
1. It gave the best promise of concurrence of the four powers, as
France, Holland and the United States had all been sufferers from
the Prince of Choshin’s violation of treaty, while we were most
exposed to risk and loss by any Japanese attack on Yokohama.
2. It involved proceeding only against a rebellious vassal, and not
against the Mikado or the Tycoon.
3. If the operation should prove successful, the four powers were
under no obligation to undertake fun her hostilities, unless fresh
provocation should be received.
Her Majesty’s government have received with great satisfaction the
account of the naval operations of the four squadrons, and their
result, contained in your despatch No. 60. Those operations were
conducted in the most gallant manner, the loss was not considerable,
the four powers acted in harmony together, no defenceless city
suffered during the hostilities, and the terms granted to the
offending Daimio were moderate towards him and sufficient for
us.
I have only to add, that I am commanded to express to you her
Majesty’s full approbation of your conduct.
I am, sir,
Sir R. Alcock, K. C. B., &c., &c., &c.
