Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.
No. 52.]
Legation of the United States,
Yokohama,
May 26, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith No.
1, translation extract from a Yedo newspaper, showing that those men of
Toda who died at
[Page 744]
Sakai for the
murder of eleven unarmed Frenchmen, as reported in my dispatch No. 25,
of the 11th March last, had been canonized.
Only three newspapers, as far as known, are published in this country—two
in Yedo, and one in Kioto or Miako. A strict censorship of the press
existing, the communications of those newspapers may be regarded as
official; the one published in the latter city is now being furnished,
even to the foreign representatives, as the official organ of the new
government.
I do not believe this new or Mikado’s government willfully guilty of
canonizing Japanese for the murder of foreigners, but feel assured that
this solemn act is the work of some high priest or functionary, and that
the Mikado’s government is powerless to prevent such proceedings.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient
servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
[From the Nai Gai Sinpu, (Home and
Foreign News,) published in Yedo, April,
1868.]
The following persons were ordered to commit hara-kiri (suicide) on
the 22d day of the second month, (16th March, 1868,) at the temple
Miokokuji, at Sakai, in Senshii. The bodies were immediately buried
at the temple Hojüin, at Yadoyamatshi:
1. Minura Inokitchi, aged twenty-five years. Canonized as Bemgi in
Chioshu Gen Shio Koji. (Man of learning, righteousness, and
fidelity.)
2. Nishimura Sakeiji, aged twenty-four years. Canonized as Gikoin
Chiügen Shiodo Koji. (Man of good conduct and fidelity.)
3. Ikegami Yasokitchi, aged thirty-eight years. Canonized as Chin No
Kasoku Koji. (Faithful man.)
4. Pishi Jinkitchi, aged thirty-six years. Canonized as Chin San
Rioshin Koji. (Trustworthy man.)
5. Sugimoto Kogoro, aged thirty-four years. Canonized as Chin hei
giko Koji. (Faithful warrior.)
6. Katskase Sauroku, aged twenty-eight years. Canonized as Chinsoku
Chiojin Koji. (Quick and faithful man.)
7. Yamamoto Tetské, aged twenty-eight years. Canonized as China
Reijei Koji. (Faithful and eminent officer.)
8. Morimoto Mokitchi, aged thirty-nine years. Canonized as Chin sho
Chiosa Koji. (Reliable officer.)
9. Kitashiro Kinsuke, aged twenty-six years. Canonized as Chin Ko
Kinshio Koji. (Staunch and faithful man.)
10. Inada Kanojo, aged twenty-eight years. Canonized as Chin O Kana
Koji. (Faithful officer.)
11. Yanase Tsune Shichi, aged twenty-six years. Trustworthy
officer.
The person first named composed a few words of poetry in the Chinese,
and the others likewise, but in the Japanese language, previous to
their execution; these effusions all being to the effect that they
considered it an honor to die in a noble cause, and that cause was
to save their country from ruin, to which it is exposed from the
advent of foreigners.
