Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward
No. 12.]
Legation of the United States,
Yedo,
February 21, 1867.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith
translations of letters received from the Gorogio, as follows :
Enclosure No. 1, inviting the foreign representatives to an audience with
the Tycoon at his castle in Osacca.
Enclosure No. 2, announcing the investiture of his Majesty the Tycoon
with the title of Seii Dai Shongung, at Kioto, (Miaco,) on the 10th of
January last.
Enclosure No. 3, announcing the death of the Mikado on the 3d instant. He
died at Kioto of the small-pox. He was about thirty-seven years of age,
and is succeeded by his son, about sixteen years of age.
Enclosure No. 4, announcing the appointment by the Tycoon of his brother
Tokugawa Minaboo Tayu to proceed to France and be present at the opening
of the International Exhibition at Paris. He sailed for Paris on the
French mail steamer of the 15th instant.
Enclosure No. 5, announcing the postponement of the audience with the
Tycoon. This postponement is in consequence of the death of the Mikado,
the Tycoon and court being in mourning for fifty days; but I am informed
by one of the governors for foreign affairs that the invitation will be
renewed in about two months.
I am yet unable to form an opinion with any degree of accuracy on the
bearing of the several events, but believe that their effects will be in
a direction in harmony with our interests.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
Hon. William H. Seward
Secretary of State, Washington, D.C.
[Page 27]
[Translation.]
His Excellency R. B. Van Valkenburgh,
Minister Resident of the United States of America,
&c., &c., &c.:
On entering upon the charge of his government his Majesty the Tycoon
intended to grant you anaudience, but an important matter prevents
him at present from returning to his castle in this city. The
official reception will have to take place in the castle at Osacca,
and it is therefore desirable that the foreign ministers, after
consulting each other, will proceed to that city for that
purpose.
The governors for foreign affairs, Iskahara, Tajinia No Kami, Sibata
Hinga No Kami, Kawakats Omi No Kami, and Mukoyama HayatoNo Kami,
have been authorized fully to confer with you in regard to the date,
and all that may relate to this official reception. With respect and
esteem,
INOMIYE KAWATSI NO KAMI.
INABA MUIO NO KAMI.
MATSDAIRA SUWO NO KAMI.
The 2d day
of the 12th month of the 2d year of his Majesty, (January 7, 1867.)
[Untitled]
His Excellency R. B. Van Valkenburgh,
Minister Resident of the United States of America,
&c., &c., &c.:
We have to inform your excellency that on the 5th instant, (January
10, 1867,) at Kioto, his Majesty the Tycoon received the title of
Seii Dai Shongung Generallissimo, (chief executive. )
With respect and esteem,
INOMIYE KAWATSI NO KAMI.
INABA MUIO NO KAMI.
MATSDAIRA SUWO NO KAMI.
The 14th
day of the 12th month of 2d year of his Majesty, (January 19, 1867.)
[Untitled]
His Excellency R. B. Van Valkenburgh,
Minister Resident of the United States of America,
&c., &c., &c.:
We regret to have to inform your excellency that our Emperor (the
Mikado) died on the 29th day of the 12th month of last year, (the 3d
February, 1867.)
With respect and esteem,
INOMIGE KAWATSI NO KAMI.
INABA MUIO NO KAMI.
MATSDARIA SUWO NO KAMI.
OGASAWARA IKI NO KAMI.
The
5th day of the 1st month of the 3d year of his Majesty, (February 9, 1867.)
[Untitled]
His Excellency R. B. Van Valkenburgh,
Minister Resident of the United States of America,
&c., &c., &c.:
We have the honor to inform your excellency that, in compliance with
a desire, expressed on behalf of the French government, that our
nobility, like that of other countries, should be represented on the
occasion of the opening of the international exhibition at Paris,
his Majesty, the Tycoon, has resolved upon sending his Highness
Tokugawa Minboo Tayn, his youngest brother, to the capital of
France.
Stated with respect and esteem,
INOMIGE KAWATSI NO KAMI.
INABA MUIO NO KAMI.
MATSDAIRA SUWO NO KAMI.
OGASAWARA IKI NO KAMI.
The
5th day of the 1st month of the 3d year of his Majesty, (February 9, 1867.)
[Untitled]
His Excellency R. B. Van Valkenbergh,
Minister Resident of the United States of America,
&c., &c., &c.:
We have to inform your excellency that the time for your audience of
his Majesty the Tycoon, at Osacca, will necessarily have to be
postponed, as recently explained to you by the governor for foreign
affairs.
[Page 28]
However, as soon as the date shall have been fixed it will be
communicated to you, which we request your excellency to take into
consideration.
Stated with respect and esteem,
INOMIYE KAWATSI NO KAMI.
INABA MUIO NO KAMI.
MATSDAIRA SUWO NO KAMI.
OGASAWARA IKI NO KAMI.
On the
10th day of the 1st month of the 3d year of his Majesty,
(February 14,
1887.)
