Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.
Sir: On the 25th instant I received from our consul at Kanagawa a communication covering one from Paul Frank, esq., consular agent at Hiogo, complaining that on the 14th instant some Japanese armed officials went on board the American bark Dispatch, then in that port, and loading for this place, and undertook to overhaul the cargo, upon the plea that smuggling of tea was being attempted.
This act was done without holding any conference either with the consular agent or the captain of the ship upon the subject. Immediately on being informed of this armed interference, Commodore Creighton, of the Oneida, sent a boat to the Dispatch, and the Japanese at once left her. I am not yet sufficiently informed of the facts to present them by this mail, but have directed that the affidavit of the captain be at once procured, and a full statement of the case be made, for my consideration, which I hope to forward by the next English mail.
The officers in power at Hiogo and Osaka are new to their business, and have very little intercourse with foreigners; therefore it would not be at all strange if, flushed with their recent successes, they should at times commit some outrages of this kind.
We have now no high officials of the Mikado’s government here with whom we can confer, but are expecting daily the arrival of two commissioners for foreign affairs.
The Mikado, it is said, has gone to Osaka, intending soon again to return to Kioto.
The late Tycoon is in retirement at a temple in Yedo. The Mikado’s envoy has reached that city, and we trust to hear before long of the amicable settlement of all difficulties. Yet there are armed bodies of ronins about the country, who are responsible to no head, and a state of guerilla warfare may exist for a long time to come. It is not considered safe to venture beyond the limits of this settlement, and no foreigners are now in Yedo. All the legations are at this place. The old governors still remain here and transact the business, the officers appointed by the Mikado to supply their places not having arrived.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.