Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Thirty-ninth Congress

Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.

No. 38.]

Legation of the United States in Japan, Yedo, September 18, 1866.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your information, a translalation of the charges preferred by the government against Prince Choshu, lord of Suwo and Nagato, to evade punishment for which he rebelled against the Tycoon.

Accompanying this paper I forward a copy of a memorandum, kindly furnished me by Sir Harry S. Parkes, her Britannic Majesty’s envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, of an interview between himself and two of Prince Choshu’s officers, on the occasion of his recent visit to the straits of Simonoseki; which will be of interest as giving Choshu’s story of the causes which led to the rebellion.

I also transmit a translation of an order of the Mikado, dated July 18th, 1866, directing that hostilities be commenced against Choshu, from which it appears that the Japanese government is united against him.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

Summary.

In the beginning, Najai Ulta and others were sent to propose that the Mikado and Tycoon should be reconciled. Your master himself entertained the wish very strongly, and both Mikado and Tycoon were extremly pleased with him on that account. But, led away by a set of turbulent and disloyal men, he slew Ulta and the rest, who were honest and loyal, and surrounded himself with a set of runaways and rascals. He made a hell of the two peaceful and beautiful provinces. He allied himself with proud and haughty nobles of the court, and dared to approach the sacred person. He advised an imperial progress to Yamato, set the capital on fire, and then persuaded the Emperor not to return. He then directed the course of the imperial carriage toward his own province, in order that he might get the Mikado in his power, and then be able to dictate his own will to the empire. This wicked conspiracy makes crime No. 1.

No. 2 The imperial decree for the expulsion of the barbarians on the 10th of the fifth month (June 20, 1863) had been transmitted to him by the Tycoon, and the latter also gave him orders to sweep them out if they came to attack. He pretended to carry out the imperial will, but in reality he was wickedly scheming how to annoy the Tycoon government, and therefore he fired at barbarian vessels, which were passing through in a peaceful manner, without the slightest intention of attacking. Then he persuaded some nobles of the court to come to him as envoys from the Mikado, in order that he might be able to intimidate the empire by asserting, on their authority, that what he had done was the imperial will. This makes crime No. 2.

No. 3. He, violently and without provocation, fired upon a Dutch vessel, which was not intending to attack him, and in spite of the red seal of Gongen Gama, by which the Dutch were permitted to voyage hither as our spies on foreign countries, thereby breaking one of Gongen Gama’s old laws. This makes crime No. 3.

No. 4. However, as the expulsion of the barbarians had just then been decreed by the Mikado, his crime was left unpunished. Was not this a great and abundant mercy? And when the Tycoon sent an envoy, to examine into that matter, he killed the envoy without the slightest reason. This most treacherous and cowardly action makes crime No. 4.

No. 5. But the ways of Heaven are clear as the noonday. What was secretly conceived suddenly came to light. The court became suspicious of him, and he was relieved from the duty of guarding the palace gates. This order he refused to obey, and attempted to raise a tumult by the side of the imperial chariot. His Majesty, however, was firm, and sent an envoy to order the immediate withdrawal of his troops. Then he complied, and withdrew, compelling Gango and others, by threats and intimidations, to accompany him to his territories. This makes crime No. 5.

No. 6. If an army of execution had been put in motion against him, and he had been punished for the crime, he could have had no possible exculpation to make, but, instead of such a course being pursued, with unexampled clemency, time was given him to repent in. This excess of kindness he was unable to appreciate, and he continued to persist in his wicked designs In the year 1864 Daizen and his son equipped and sent an army with regular instructions to Kiote to attack the imperial palace, while Nagato, at the head of a body of men, went by sea to Turoe, where he took up a position. This was an act of rebellion of a magnitude unknown since the days of Genand Hei. All the bamboos which grow on Nanzan would be required to inscribe it; nay, all the hairs on a man’s head, pulled out, one by one, would not suffice to enumerate it. It is a crime too large to find space between heaven and earth to contain it. This makes crime No. 6.

No. 7. If this had not been intended by the prince, and really was the act of his retainers, on their own responsibility, he should have cut off the heads of the ringleaders, and come, barefooted, to submit to the Tycoon and petition for his own life; but instead, he urged the father and son on to plot in secret a division of the country. This makes crime No. 7.

No. 8. In consequence of these unpardonable crimes, and this obstinate hardness of heart, Owari Teu Dainangory was sent against him, as commander-in-chief. It was not before the advance of the army that he cut off the heads of his three retainers, and offered to submit. Such a delay was an offence in itself. His letter, offering to submit, was sent by the Teu Dainangory to the Tycoon’s government for approval; but until the sentence to be passed on him by the Mikado and Tycoon could be learned, he could not consider himself free from the odium of having been declared an outlaw to all eternity. But the evil disposed gave out that the affair was already settled, in order to deceive the nation. Now, except by a decree of the Mikado and the Tycoon, how could his outlawry be remitted ? This was to assume, for his own purposes, the right to decide a great law of the empire, and to set himself in direct opposition to the Mikado and Tycoon. This makes crime No. 8.

No. 9. In opposition to the Tycoon’s orders, he behaved with over-impetuosity, and, making the expulsion of the barbarians his pretext, fired into barbarian ships. But when the barbarian ships came into the neighboring seas, and inflicted a severe defeat on him, he lost heart at once, and wrote a letter, sealed with his own seal, offering to submit. He falsely declared that he had been compelled by the Mikado and Tycoon to fire, against his own will. Thus did he attempt to make the Mikado and Tycoon responsible for his own crime. He also entered into relations of friendship onhis own account, and permitted intercourse to take place. This makes crime No. 9.

No. 10. After this, in consequence of several suspicious occurrences, the Shogun set forth. With renewed goodness and magnanimity, he sent for three of the Cadet Daimios to Osacca, to interrogate them. They refused to come, under the pretext of illness. This was involving the honest and loyal Cadet families in his own crimes. This makes crime No. 10.

No. 11. After surpassing clemency and mercy had been exercised, the matter was referred to the Tenslie, and then the Rojm, in fulfilment of the commands of the Mikado and Tycoon, advanced toward the frontier. In order that he might have no grounds for misunderstanding, the Cadet Daimios Kikkawa and others were sent for; but he stopped them, and refused to let them come, on pretence of illness. This makes crime No. 11.

No. 12 Each of the Cadet Daimios, under pretence of sickness, sent a substitute instead; but Ghishido Bingo Noske was believed never to have really belonged to the family at all. He was suddenly adopted into it as a son, and sent as a substitute. He went to Geishu on the business of his prince, and never stated that there was anything the matter with himself; but when, on the 13th of June, he was sent for to hear the imperial decision, he complained of boils, which prevented him from sitting or standing, and sent to say that he could not come at all. This was treating the Mikado’s and the Tycoon’s commands with contempt—no light matter. This makes crime No. 12.

No. 13. The imperial decision was pronounced to the three Cadet families, but, on the pretence that it would excite the populace, they kept it to themselves, and did not communicate it to Daizen and his son. They, moreover, took upon themselves to write an humble petition, and to request the Geishu clan to forward it. This makes crime No. 13.

No. 14. Bingo Noske declined to attend on account of illness. As he thus neglected his office of a substitute, he was relieved from it. He was sent for to Kokudaigi, to be questioned about the suspicion attaching to his own origin; but he again refused to come, alleging sickness as an excuse. Messengers were sent to read his sentence to him on his sick-bed, and he was placed in charge of the Geishu clan; but, owing to some circumstance which prevented the Geishu troops from taking charge of him at the time, some musketeers were sent instead. He was taken in charge because he neglected to do the business with which his chief had charged him, and because of the suspicious matter connected with his origin. This measure was communicated to Mori Okumaru and to the Cadet Daimios Kikkawa, and they had no reason to say a word about the matter. They ought, rather, to have kept quiet themselves; but because some musketeers were sent on the occasion of Bingo Noske being taken in charge, they made reprisals with horse and foot, pretending that the duty of a servant to his master necessitated their acting so. Are Nagato and Suwo the dominions of Bingo Noske? or are they the hereditary dominions of the Mori family? If they are the latter’s dominions, held by them since the time of their ancestors, to despatch troops on behalf of Bingo Noske to disobey the Tycoon’s orders and rebel against the imperial decision, was to put their master in the position of being liable for this crime. This makes crime No. 14.

Memorandum of interview between Sir Harry Parkes, British minister, and Katsura, governor of Simonoseki, and Ito Shunskee, officer of Choshu, at Simonoseki, August 4, 1866.

Sir Harry Parkes professes to speak not only for himself, but also in behalf of the French minister. Object: Information as to cause of dispute between Choshu and Tycoon, with a view of aiding in bringing about an adjustment. Why were the previous negotiations unsuccessful? Katsura states Owari’s mission, in the winter of 1864-‘65, supposed to have been successful. On demand, three karos (secretaries) were executed, in atonement of troubles caused at Kiote. Tycoon declined to ratify Owari’s arrangement, and insisted on inflicting additional punishment. After the visit of representatives to Osacca, the Tycoon sent Najai Mondonosho (governor of Osacca, who had been connected with the Osacca negotiations) to inquire into the government of Choshu and the intercourse of its people with foreigners, being evidently suspicious that such intercourse might lead to a treaty with them.

Mondo was informed that, in virtue of the agreement entered into with the allied naval commanders in September, 1864, the Choshu people were bound to treat the foreign vessels in a friendly manner, and furnish supplies of coal, &c. It was also shown him (Mondo) that the people were well satisfied with the government of the prince. It was apparent that the occasional intercourse with foreigners was reckoned one of the crimes of the prince.

Mondo went away, and Osarawara Ike-nokami (the same who previously had notified the foreign R. R. that Yokohama should be closed by order of the Mikado) came to Hiro Smia, (an island with straits,) demanding that four members of the Choshu family be sent to meet him; these were Kikawa Kinmolsu, Mari Sakio, Mori Awagio, and Sayemonoske. The people of Choshu, looking upon Osarawara’s arrival as unfriendly, sent an address praying that their peace and prosperity might not be interrupted. The petition was presented through Aki, Prince of Geishi, who was directed by Osarawara not to receive it. The relations of Prince Choshu, who met Osarawara at Hiro Shima, endeavored to make him accept it, but unsuccessfully. The four above-named relations of Prince Choshu went to Hiro Ghima in charge of Shinido Bingo Noske, one of the principal karos, (secretaries.) Osarawara then presented the Tycoon’s ultimatum—sequestration of territory to the value of 100,000 koku annual revenue, and Mori Nagato (son) to retire forever, with loss of all their dignities, the Tycoon appointing their successors. After making their report, the four relatives were again sent to inquire whether the opinion of the people as to the manner in which they were governed was to be allowed to have no weight. Osarawara’s reply was, acceptance of ultimatum or fight, and on the 9th day of the fifth month (January 21, 1866) he seized Ghinido Bingonoske, the chief envoy of Choshu, and threatened to attack Choshu unless he immediately submitted. No intention of submitting and waiting for the first attack from the Tycoon. On the 7th day of the sixth month (July 7, 1866) four Tycoon’s steamers sailed to Osima, fired into the village, and wounded a few women. Four days afterward a more serious attack was made on the same island; troops were landed; men, women, and children were killed, houses plundered and burned, and booty carried off.’

Choshu could wait no longer. The Tycoon’s minister had seized his envoy and killed his people, without distinction of age or sex, and he resolved to act, all officers urging to take up arms, to unite as one man in defence of their homesteads. Orders were accordingly issued. It was known that the Tycoon’s forces intended to cross his frontier at three points—Osajawa Ingeshu; Sekishin, in Iwani; and Tanaura, on the south side of the straits, opposite to Simonoseki. Choshu surprised and defeated the Tycoon’s forces; Osajawa on the 25th of July, Sekishin on the 27th, and Tanaura on the 28th. At Osajawa the Tycoon’s troops were driven away easily; at Sekishin about forty were killed, and inflicting a loss of ten guns; at Tanaura about sixty were killed and thirty guns captured, also a large flotilla of boats collected for crossing the straits. Choshu’s loss was trifling on each occasion.

Katsura further stated, in reply to question presented, that Choshu had never promised to accept the Tycoon’s terms, nor had offered to give hostages. They had met Osarawara’s demands to send to Hiro Shima their principal karo, Shimido Bingo Noske, and four of the Prince’s nearest relatives. They were sent to confer with Osarawara, but not to accept the severe and impracticable conditions of the Tycoon, and Osarawara abused the confidence by treacherously arresting the karo. They deeply regretted the hostilities, and greatly appreciated the motives of the English and French ministers in desiring to see Japan at unity and at peace; but they had been attacked; they had to defend themselves, and overtures for an arrangement could not be made by them, but should come from the Tycoon. The Tycoon had to engage them single-handed. The support he received from other Daimios was faint, as they regarded his conduct as oppressive, and so did the people of Choshu. Choshu felt strong in the support of his people; he sought no foreign aid; hoped none would be given to the Tycoon. Choshu did not dispute the superior authority of the Tycoon, whom he recognized as the delegate of the sovereignty of the Mikado; but he believed that, in his case as in many other matters, the Tycoon acted beyond and independently of the orders of the Mikado. The Tycoon had never informed him that the sentence he wished to impose had received the approval of the Mikado; but he knew, on the contrary, that the Mikado had instructed the Tycoon to give an equitable judgment, instead of which he intended to enforce an oppressive one. As long as the Tycoon acted in that spirit there would be no chance of an adjustment of difficulties being arrived at. Katsura informed Sir Harry Parkes that he would at once inform Prince Choshu, then at his residence at Yamaguchi, thirty-five miles in the interior, of the willingness of the minister to meet him at some convenient place, if he desired it, and that his reply might be expected on the 5th of August.

July 18, 1866.

The judgment passed upon Mori Daizen and son was communicated to them after having been reported to the Mikado. They have, notwithstanding, disregarded it, and the Tycoon has now represented to us that he is going to proceed with military force to inquire into his offences. This measure has been approved by the Mikado. His Majesty is pleased to express his thanks to the Tycoon for his prolonged stay at Osacca; and, as he may now take the field, he hopes that he will meet with honorable success in his campaign, and thus put the imperial mind at rest. The attacking forces of the various Daimios are to be informed of this.

This is the mandate of the Mikado.