Mr. Portman to Mr. Seward.
Legation of the United States,
Yokohama,
March 2, 1868.
Sir: Under instructions from Mr. Van
Valkenburgh to report to you the intelligence from this part of Japan, I
have the honor to transmit herewith, No. 1, copy of the official account
of the recent battle between Osaka and Kioto, and No. 2, copy of the
Tycoon’s letter to the Mikado, intrusted to his commissioner therein
referred to.
My notification of the 11th ultimo, copies of which I herewith transmit,
was issued on that day. I am unable to say to what extent it has been
used by the Tycoon’s government, but previous to that date many wealthy
merchants and others were leaving Yedo, and it gives me much pleasure to
report to you that the exodus has entirely stopped, and that the most
perfect tranquillity has apparently been restored.
I am fully aware that it was never contemplated to claim for the
principle of exterritoriality such an extended application; but the fact
of the
[Page 682]
notification having
been printed at the government office in Yedo sufficiently shows that it
met with the Tycoon’s entire concurrence, and it is quite probable also
that it will be assented to by those who now oppose his government.
Mr. Van Valkenburgh informed me that he sent you a copy of his
instructions to me not to deliver the “Stonewall” to the Tycoon’s
government.
As war now is reported to exist between the Mikado and Tycoon, the
notifications of the foreign representatives enjoin the observance of
strict neutrality, and under those circumstances the “Stonewall” will,
for the present at least, have to remain under our flag.
The Tycoon persistently denies that there is war between the Mikado and
himself, claiming that the Mikado is a minor; that his guardians,
appointed by the former Mikado, his father, have been forcibly removed
by a coalition of Daimios, of which Satsuma is the chief; that other
persons were, put in their places by Satsuma, and that it is in the name
of the Mikado, and through those persons, that Satsuma and his
confederates are now acting.
The issue, therefore, lies not between the Mikado and the Tycoon, but
between the Tycoon and Satsuma.
There are many great Daimios who have not yet defined their position, but
appear to maintain an armed neutrality. Nearly all of those are well
provided with rifles of the latest inventions.
It is well known that in former years the Portuguese exported large
quantities of gold from this country. Since their expulsion, now more
than two hundred and fifty years ago, this export was stopped, with
exceptions so trifling as scarcely to deserve any mention. The mines
continued producing, however, and the accumulated product, an extremely
small portion of which was only required for the currency, formed a
reserve fund to be used by the Shogoon of Japan in a great emergency,
such as a foreign war for example.
I have reason to believe that the value of the gold in the hands of the
Tycoon, in the shape of bars, is enormous. I can scarcely credit the
statement of my informant, as that might appear exaggerated; but
assuming that the mines only produced to the value of one million of
dollars per annum, it would follow that the Tycoon, who is known to have
no debt, would at present command a treasury containing gold and surplus
to the amount of at least two hundred and fifty millions of dollars.
The Tycoon will deny his being in possession of so much treasure. Some of
the foreign representatives decline to believe in the Tycoon’s wealth,
but I feel sure that, sooner or later, this will prove to be
correct.
From Mr. Van Valkenburgh’s dispatches you will have learned that in the
early part of the last month no less a personage than the karo, or
secretary of the Prince of Bezen, made an indiscriminate attack on the
foreign settlement at Kobé, (Hiogo,) and that the foreign
representatives, several of whom narrowly escaped being hit by the
bullets of his retainers, now demand the punishment of that secretary.
Satisfaction for the outrage has been promised by the government of the
Mikado, or of those who, according to the Tycoon, claim to act in his
name, and in case of refusal of Bezen to surrender his secretary the
Mikado is to make war against him.
The Mikado, therefore, is supposed to disagree with Bezen, and it cannot
be expected that the Tycoon will indorse him. It would appear,
therefore, that the Prince of Bezen, or his secretary, acted on his own
responsibility, only obeying his own passionate impulses. There is
[Page 683]
nothing to guarantee that
other Daimios will not make similar attempts at any moment. To-day the
governor of this port issued a notice requesting foreigners not to go on
the Tokaido, (the main road to Yedo,) as a train of Mito’s men would
pass through Kanagawa on their way to that capital. The governor was
apprehensive of something happening, and yet the Prince of Mito is the
Tycoon’s eldest brother.
To-day, again, intelligence was received from Nagasaki that the flags of
Satsuma, Choshin, and Toda, over the custom-house, were hauled down, and
that that port is now under the protection of the agents of twelve
Daimios.
The names of those Daimios are not given, but their act in hauling down
those flags may sooner or later form or be twisted into a casus belli between them and the three Daimios
named. The Tycoon remains inactive, simply organizing his forces in this
part of Japan. It is expected that other Daimios will soon quarrel with
each other, and before long there may be more than one civil war in
Japan, each more or less independent of the other.
In none of these will there be any political principle at stake; they
will be simply questions of supremacy of one Daimio over another, and
eventually, it is hoped, they may be all reunited in some way under the
scepter of the Mikado or Tycoon, or perhaps of both.
In one respect only all agree, according to their professions, and this
is unbounded veneration for the Mikado; and yet this veneration did not
prevent Choshin from making the attempt, now nearly four years ago, of
carrying off the Mikado to his provinces. Satsuma recently was more
successful, and the Mikado is now to all intents and purposes the vassal
if not the prisoner of that bold and unscrupulous Daimio.
The real sovereign of this country is not the Mikado, who is represented
as powerless; neither is it the Tycoon, who is checked. The ruler is the
spirit of evil, which appears to be all-powerful, and to control every
nobleman in this country.
Mr. Van Valkenburgh has kindly authorized me to explain his views to you,
but even if I should enlarge upon them, as they have now been formed, I
beg respectfully to submit, with reference to the foregoing, and in view
of the utter unreliability of the ruling classes in Japan, that such
terrible engines for mischief as iron-clads should never be permitted to
get into their possession.
No means should be spared to prevent this, and I hope that you will be
pleased to approve of this suggestion and to give it effect.
The Japanese have abundance of treasure and of breech-loading rifles, and
entertain no friendly feeling towards foreigners, as the Bezen attack
has fully shown. If they are allowed to possess iron-clads, the great
western powers may soon find themselves compelled to send home their
wooden ships and keep squadrons of superior iron-clads in these
seas.
Every fourth man in this country belongs to the two-sworded class, and it
is now the highest ambition of nearly all these men to excel as
sharpshooters. The military element, always strong, has been
over-stimulated from many causes—the principal one being the rivalry
among Daimios in obtaining the most improved fire-arms. It was never
expected that war would break out. So little did the Tycoon himself
expect this, that he allowed Satsuma to surround the Mikado’s palace at
Kioto—a measure which, if in the least foreseen, he could easily have
prevented. No one knows now what the next hour may bring forth.
It is well worthy of consideration what the effect may be not only on our
relations with this country, but perhaps also with China at a future
day, if this nation becomes fully armed, and while the proud
[Page 684]
spirit, by which it still
appears to be animated, is not friendly towards foreigners, and at the
same time so aggressive and so little under control.
The supply of rifles cannot well be stopped; that of iron-clads, I
sincerely hope, may not be a difficult matter, as they can only be built
in the United States, England, and France.
The Tycoon has again declared his intention to abdicate; it is doubtful
whether he will carry out that intention. He may resign as Shogoon, but
will undoubtedly insist upon remaining the chief of the Tokugawa family,
and this is pretty much the same thing under another name.
I transmit inclosure No. 3, copy of proclamation relating to that
intention to abdicate, and establishing representative government of
some sort for this country. I do not believe this new move to be a bona
fide one, and to deserve much commendation at present.
I also transmit inclosure No. 4, copy of my letter to the Gorogio, on
learning the intended abdication of the Tycoon.
The Monocacy and Iroquois are both in port.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient
servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
No. 1.
Official account of the recent action
between Kioto and Osaka, by Okubo Sazen No Sho, colonel
commanding the advance guard, as given verbatim.
On the 27th day of the twelfth month (the 21st day of January) the
Tycoon received the first intelligence of the occurrences at Yedo on
the 19th, the destruction of the Sat-suma yaskis, and on the next
day he received a report in writing.
Satsuma, who must have received that intelligence at about the same
time, suddenly became very imperious and overbearing at Kioto—so
much so, that the Mikado at once ordered Owari Daimangong and
Matsudaira Okura Tayu (the prince of Etshizen) to proceed to Osaka
and summon the Tycoon to Kioto to repress those troubles.
In his interview with the two princes the Tycoon declared his
willingness to put down those disturbances by force, if necessary,
but, as this might lead to war, he proposed that first the Mikado
should himself attempt to get rid of those troublesome Satsuma
men.
The Tycoon in the mean time made preparations to go to Kioto in
person. A public notice was given at Osaka, and the advance guard
was ordered to proceed to Nigo, (the Tycoon’s castle at Kioto.) This
guard was to consist of no more than two battalions of five hundred
men each.
The Tycoon’s preparations being completed, Colonel Okubo Sizen No
Sho, in command of the advance guard, embarked with his men at 6
o’clock p. m. of the 2d day of the first month, (26th January,) at
the Hatshiken Ya, the landing place at Osaka, and at 7 o’clock the
next morning he arrived at Yedo. On the same day two other
battalions proceeded by land to the temple Kurotani, in the eastern
part of the city of Kioto, and they went as far as Fugimi.
Colonel Okubo was accompanied by the Ohometske (herald) Takikawa
Harima No Kami as especial commissioner of the Tycoon to the Mikado,
who was furnished with a letter from his master, announcing his
approach for the purpose of tranquillizing Kioto, and stating that
he would cause the arrest of the Satsuma men, and if the Mikado
could not act, force would be used if necessary, and in such manner
as the Mikado might command. In this document the offenses of
Satsuma were recapitulated as far as they were known.
At 11 o’clock a. m., on the third day, Takikawa Karima No Kami, the
herald, left Yedo by the Tobakaido and reached the gate of Yodzuzuka
at Kioto, a distance of 1½ ri, (a little over four miles.) An escort
of two hundred men was given to Takikawa, and they were only armed
with swords. At this gate the herald was informed that he could not
pass—neither he nor any armed men of Tokagawa, (Tycoon.)
The gate, he was further told, on behalf of the officer in charge,
was held by Choshu, men, who acted as assistants of Satsuma, and
under instructions from the Mikado.
The herald then said that he could not believe this, as no such
instructions had been communicated to him or to Tokugawa, of whose
advance guard his escort formed a part, and that this guard was on
the way to Nigo castle. The commanding officer of
[Page 685]
the gate then repeated that though
Choshin men, the port was in fact held by Satsuma, and they were
only assisting.
Near Yodzuzuka is a large temple called Tojee—this temple was
Satsuma’s headquarters; and Takikawa found himself suddenly
surrounded by Satsuma men, dispatched from headquarters, who refused
him to pass.
He then returned to Yedo, having no power to force the gate; but some
of the officer of his escort remained.
On his return to Yedo both Takikawa and Colonel Okubo reported to
Matsudaira Boozen No Kami, commander-in-chief, asking for
instructions. The instructions came, “Go and pass, but don’t fire
first—and not unless attacked.”
At 3 o’clock p. m. both left Yedo with the two battalions, and at a
distance of about fifteen streets* from that
town, Takikawa’s officers, who had remained in front of the gate,
were jnet with a message that Satsuma had reported their approach to
the Mikado, and desired them to wait until a reply could be
received.
The Tycoon’s advance guard proceeded and soon met troops, who were
challenged. The reply was, “we are Choshin men patrolling.”
Civilities were interchanged, and. the Choshin men were allowed to
pass. The advance guard continued to proceed on the tobakaido—a very
narrow road of only twelve feet in width—till within three streets
of the Korjeda bridge, at a distance from Yedo of one ri. This
bridge spans a small stream on which, a little to the westward, the
temple of Tojee, Satsuma’s headquarters, was situated. On the other
side, and commanding the bridge, two guns, with Satsuma’s men, could
be clearly discerned. On the right was a temple among the trees, and
there were two more guns, and among the farm-houses in the rear,
troops had been stationed. It was evident that Satsuma’s men were in
position, and the order was given to halt. The men wished to go on,
but he restrained their impatience by reminding them of the
instructions not to fire first.
As Takikawa, the herald, on passing in the morning, had found the
road clear up to the gate of Yodzuzuka, it was further evident that
the Satsuma troops had only been for a couple of hours in their
position, and this promptness was conclusive as to Satsuma acting
not under orders, but on his own responsibility.
Okubo dispatched an officer to ask for the answer of the Mikado,
stating that the attempt to stop Tokugawa’s men was unwarrantable.
Hossokawa Okin Daibu’s men, to the number also of two battalions,
had gone up to Kioto that day, and as he had instructions to pass,
he would now proceed to do so. The reply was that the Mikado had not
yet been heard from, but as soon as his command was received it
would be communicated.
Okubo’s men were eager for action, and became more so when it was
perceived, with the aid of field glasses, that Satsuma’s men were
carefully taking the range of their guns. The position of Okubo’s
men was, at this stage, as follows: 1st, two companies of
sharpshooters in front; 2d, Colonel Okubo; 3d, four field pieces,
two abreast; and 4th, the two battalions of infantry, in line on the
narrow tobakaido.
The number and strength of Satsuma’s force were unknown.
After a brief pause, eight Satsuma soldiers stepped from the ranks
and halted. An officer was sent by Okubo a distance of seventy ken,
(four hundred and twenty feet,) to meet them; and he was told that
as Satsuma’s messenger had not yet returned from the Mikado, the
force would not be allowed to pass. Okubo then said: “Since this
morning a messenger might have gone and returned from the gosho
(Mikado’s palace) at least four or five times. He did not believe a
messenger had been sent at all. The Mikado has given you no
instructions. You do not speak the truth, and I shall now proceed.”
Okubo’s officer was only armed with a sword. The Satsuma men
replied: “If you attempt to pass by force, by force you will be
resisted.” The parleying here terminated, and Okubo’s officer
returned. The Satsuma men only fell back a distance of eight ken,
(forty-eight feet,) wheeled round, cocked their rifles, and fired a
volley. This, evidently, was a signal, for immediately fire on all
sides was opened by the men of Satsuma. Five cannon balls in less
than a minute passed Okubo, thus showing how carefully the range had
been taken. On one side of the narrow road on which he found himself
with his command, were low lands and rice fields, and on the other
side the ground was covered by brushwood and some trees. While
exposed to this galling fire, and unable to deploy his men, he gave
the order to fall back to a better position, when he found himself
suddenly attacked in the rear by the men he had allowed to pass some
time before, and who claimed to be Choshumen. But for his two
companies of sharpshooters in front, who made excellent practice in
picking off the enemy’s gunners, his command would wellnigh have
been annihilated. His retreat was in good order, and three streets
further down he again attempted to take up position. Satsuma’s
sharpshooters in the meanwhile advanced and engaged; and his own,
finding themselves outnumbered, retreated, firing; the loss was
great on both sides. Towards midnight Okubo was re-enforced by one
hundred and fifty men of the Daimio Kuwana, by whom, principally,
the firing was kept up till 2 o’clock in the morning of the fourth
day, when, on both sides, the firing slackened. Before daybreak,
however, the engagement became more general.
[Page 686]
Re-enforcements must have been received on
both sides. The retreat was continued to Yoko Ojimura, where the
road was slightly wider, and among the houses and intrenchments
hastily thrown up the battle continued the whole day, the enemy
remaining under cover of the wood, from which it was found
impossible to dislodge them.
The Tycoon’s force was too large, and not well handled; the position
was bad, and they were constantly in each other’s way. At 4 p. m.
Okubo was wounded and carried off the field.
Towards evening the enemy advanced in force to the Kobashi bridge of
Yedo. It was important to hold that point, and the fighting was very
severe. The loss of general officers was very great, and Satsuma’s
sharpshooters were very numerous.
The Castle of Yedo, near the bridge, was a point of importance, and
being the property of Inaba Minonokami, a Tycoon’s gnojin, not the
slightest doubt was entertained that the Tycoon’s commanders would
be able to avail themselves of it; as it was, then, they had
calculated to make a stand and place their forces in line of battle.
But the officers in charge of the castle closed the gates and
refused admittance.
The plans being thus entirely disarranged, the position of Yedo
became untenable, and the order was given to fall back on Yawata, in
the direction of Osaka. There a stand was made, and the Tycoon’s
forces began to drive back the enemy with every prospect of
continued success, when suddenly they were attacked by a heavy fire
in the rear. This attack must have proceeded from the troops of Yodo
Idsuminokami, supposed to be a warm Mend of the Tycoon.
Early in the morning of that day Colonel Okubo with others of the
wounded was carried past their camp. They met with great cordiality
from them, and in front of the camp were only to be seen two
old-fashioned brass six-pounders.
The attack in the rear was with rifled artillery of much heavier
caliber. It was soon perceived that the battle was virtually over.
There is said to have been no rout, and most of the troops retreated
in good order. Firing was still kept up on both sides, but at
daybreak of the 6th (the 30th January) the retreat became general,
firing desultory. At 2 p. m., to delay the pursuing forces, Hirakata
was set on fire; and in the evening of that day the two commanding
officers, Matsudaira Bootennokami and Iakinaka Tangonokami, arrived
at Osaka.
On the side of the Tycoon were contingents of the following Daimios:
Matsu Yama, or Matsudaira Okinokami; Aidzu Yama, or Matsudaira
Higonokami; Kuwana Yama, or Matsudaira Etshünokami; Ogaki Yama, or
Toda Awajinokami; Oshi Yama, or Matsudaira Simosanokami; Shimedzu
Yama, or Sakai Wutanokami; Yosida Yama, or Matsudaira Giobu
Jayu.
On the other side were the larger Daimios of Satsuma, Aki, (Geshü,)
Choshü, and some smaller ones.
The Daimios Owari, Etshizen, Hikone, Josa, Higo, (Kiüsiü,) Sendai,
Inshü, Saga, Kurumé, Iye, and others, had from one to two battalions
in Kioto, but remained neutral, for reasons best known to
themselves.
The battle began on the 3d, (the 27th January,) in the afternoon, and
lasted, with but little intermission during the evening of the 5th,
till the morning of the 6th day of the first Japanese month, (the
30th January last.)
The number of men engaged on both sides is not known, neither has it
as yet been possible to ascertain the losses in killed, wounded, and
missing.
No. 2.
To the Mikado:
Your servant Yoci-nobu (name of Tycoon) respectfully submits that
since the 9th day of the last month the imperial pleasure has not
been consulted in the affairs of government, but that it is now
notorious, even to the humblest person in the empire, that the
unscrupulous cunning of Matsudaira Shuri Daibu (Satsuma) exercises
full sway.
Disturbances and robberies have been incited and committed by those
Satsuma men in Yedo, Nagasaki, Gashu, and Joshu, interrupting
communications from east to west, and the empire is in
confusion.
Their acts, as set forth in the appended document, are odious in the
sight of Heaven and in that of the people. I request, therefore,
that an order may be issued delivering those retainers into my
hands. If compliance with this order be refused, I shall take
measures to execute it.
[Memorandum appended.]
Aggressive acts of Satsuma’s
retainers and their accomplices.
In spite of an order of the Mikado, that matters of importance must
be settled after consultation, they, (the Satsuma men,) on the 9th
day of the last month, suddenly, and
[Page 687]
in contempt of the young sovereign, undertook
to alter the policy and to manage things in their own way.
Sesseih Denka, former minister, of the late Mikado, and who during
the minority of the present sovereign had special powers to act, has
now been dismissed and prevented from entering the Mikado’s
palace.
They treat the Mia and Dosios members of the Mikado’s family or
household in the most high-handed manner.
Under pretense of guarding the nine gates of the palace, they and
others, by exciting the retainers of other Daimios, get up
threatening demonstrations with weapons in hand within the precincts
of the Mikado’s palace, thus showing utter disrespect to the
imperial government. This is a great rudeness.
They, (the Satsuina’s retainers,) by assembling Ronins in the
Satsuma’s yaskisin Yedo, instigated the robberies in that city. They
fired on a camp of Sakai Sayemonnodjo. They set lire and destroyed,
for the sake of plunder, many houses in Yashu and Soshu. Evidence
can be produced.
No. 3.
Proclamation by the Tycoon, issued by
the Gorojin, the 26th day of the 1st
month, (19th February, 1868.)
After mature consideration, Wuyesama (the Tycoon) has formed the
intention to abdicate, and to nominate Kee Tshunangong, Prince of
Kishü, as his successor.
A petition to this effect having been submitted to the Mikado, the
present proclamation is issued under instructions.
PROCLAMATION BY THE TYCOON.
As it is proper to determine the principle of the constitution of
Japan with due regard to the wishes of the majority, I have resigned
the supreme power to the Mikado’s court, and advised that the
opinions of all the Daimios should be taken.
On examination of my household affairs, (the administration of
Tycoon’s territories,) many irregularities may exist, which may
dissatisfy the people, and which I therefore greatly deplore.
Hence I intend to establish a Kogijo, (public opinion place of
business, Parliament,) and to accept the opinion of the
majority.
Any one, therefore, who has an opinion to express, may do so at that
place and be free of apprehension.
The
27th day of the 1st month, (the 20th February, 1868.)
Notification by the Gorogio.
With reference to the foregoing proclamation by the Tycoon, all
officers, whether entitled to go to the audience of the Tycoon or
not, their sons and others, Daimios’ officers, farmers, merchants,
and others, any one who has an opinion to express, will do so in
writing at the Kogijo, (Parliament.)
If warranted by circumstances, communications may also be made
verbally. Until suitable buildings shall have been selected for the
Kogijo, the present Hiogo Sho (the criminal court) will be used for
that purpose.
The day of opening of Parliament shall be made known afterwards.
The
27th day of the 1st month, (the 20th February, 1868.)
Circular by the Gorogio to the officers of the
government.
As soon as the Kogijo (Parliament) shall be established, the chief of
each department of the public service will select one of his
officers to represent that department.
When a department employs less than five officers, no representative
need be sent; and when a department employs many officers, one out
of every fifty officers must be sent.
The 27th day of the 1st month, (the 20th February, 1868.)
[Page 688]
Notification by the Gorogio.
As the Kaigi (hall of assembly) will be opened, all superior officers
and nobles who have an opinion to express, though they may not be in
the service of the government, are hereby invited to come to the
castle at Obirma, on the 29th day, at 10 o’clock a. m.
The
27th day of the 1st month, (the 20th February, 1868.)
Notification.
Legation of the United States in Japan,
Yedo,
February 11, 1868.
As on the 19th January last the port of Kanagawa was closed by a
naval engagement being fought within its treaty limits, and with the
view of preventing a repetition of similar infringements of the
treaty between the United States and Japan, notice is hereby given
to whom it may concern, and for the better observance of strict
neutrality by the United States, that any hostile encounter, or even
attempt to that effect, within the ten-ri treaty limits of Kanagawa,
on the sea or on land, by the forces of either party to the civil
war now existing in Japan, will be considered a deliberate
infringement of the said treaty, and as such must expect to meet
with a decided expression of the displeasure of the United
States.
No. 4.
Mr. Portman to the Gorojin.
No. 21.]
Legation of the United States in
Japan, Yokohama,
February 24, 1868.
I have this day learned that by a recent proclamation his Majesty the
Tycoon has announced his intention to abdicate, and to nominate Kee
Tshünangong, Dono Prince of Kishu, as his successor. Firmly
believing that his Majesty Stotsbashi is the first sovereign of
Japan who has adopted a fixed foreign policy—that of promoting
friendly intercourse with the treaty powers—and of judiciously
encouraging foreign trade so as to render it an active agent in
furthering the interests of his people, I do not hesitate to assure
your excellencies, as the consistency and wisdom of your government
have been fully appreciated, no less than the great difficulties by
which your sound and liberal policy has been surrounded, that the
abdication of his Majesty the Tycoon, should it unfortunately take
effect, will be sincerely regretted by the government of the United
States. And I can only hope that your excellencies will soon have it
in your power to announce that his Majesty has been able to
reconsider his intention, and will remain the chief of the
government of Japan.
With respect and esteem,
Their Excellencies the Gorojin, &c., &c., &c. Yedo.
