Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.
No. 92.]
Legation of the United States,
Yokohama,
September 11, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith No.
1, copy of a letter from the Prussian chargé d’affaires, informing me
that on the 25th ultimo, while driving in his carriage, he was publicly
insulted by two of the retainers of Higashi Kuse Chinjio, the Mikado’s
representative, who suddenly and forcibly caused his Japanese betto or
groom to descend from it.
I inclose, No. 2, copy of my reply, covering copy of the letter I
immediately addressed to Higashi Kuse on the subject, in support of Mr.
Von Brandt’s demand.
The other foreign representatives unanimously acted likewise, and
Higashi, thus made aware of the gravity of the offense, promptly assumed
the responsibility of the act of his retainers. He notified the Prussian
charge d’affaires to that effect, who then addressed him a note with a
modified demand of satisfaction, copy of which I herewith transmit,
inclosure No. 3.
In this shape the matter was settled to Mr. Von Brandt’s satisfaction,
and I now transmit No. 4, copy of the public notice in apology of the
insult that appeared on the proclamation boards in this town.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient
servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Yokohama,
August 25, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that
to-day at 5½ o’clock p. m., while driving in the principal street of
the Japanese quarter, and in passing the train of Higashi Kuse No
Chinjio, which was advancing in the same direction, the two
principal armed men of his suite crying out
threw themselves upon my carriage and dragged from it the beto, who “bore upon his coat the escutcheon
of my government.
In bringing this insult, inflicted publicly upon me, to your
knowledge, I have the honor to transmit to you herewith a copy of
the letter which I have just addressed to Higashi Kuse upon the
subject, and I am convinced that you will approve the satisfaction I
have demanded.
I profit by this occasion, sir, to renew to you the assurance of my
distinguished consideration.
VON BRANDT, Chargé d’Affaires of H. M. the
King of Prussia.
His Excellency the General R. B. Van
Valkenburgh, &c., &c.,
&c.
[Page 816]
[Translation.]
Yokohama,
August 25, 1868.
As the undersigned, his Prussian Majesty’s chargé d’affaires met this
afternoon at half-past five, in the Japanese main street, the train
in which his excellency Higashi Kuse Chinjio found himself in a
norimon, this train moving also towards the gate at the end of the
street, the two first men of the escort threw themselves upon the
carriage of the undersigned, and yelling and threatening, drove off
from it his betto, whose coat was marked with the coat of arms of
the government of the undersigned.
The carriage of the undersigned was not ten yards distant from the
train of his excellency, but none of the officers which composed it,
and to whom the undersigned ought to be personally known, did
anything to put a stop to this insult. They contented themselves, on
the contrary, by putting their hands in a threatening manner on
their swords.
This public insult has been wholly unprovoked on the part of the
undersigned; he thinks himself, therefore, justified in demanding
the following satisfaction:
1. The severe punishment of the two men.
2. The publication of the punishment awarded to them in the
newspapers.
3. A written apology from his excellency the minister for foreign
affairs, Higashi Kuse Chinjio.
Should the undersigned not, as he hopes, obtain this satisfaction
within forty-eight hours, he would find himself obliged, at his
great regret, to cease his relations with a government whose
officers insult with impunity, in a public thoroughfare, the
representative of a friendly power.
With respect and consideration, his Prussian Majesty’s chargé
d’affaires.
His Excellency Higashi Kuse
Chinjio.
Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Baron von Brandt.
No. 146.]
Legation of the United States in
Japan, Yokohama,
August 26, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt this moment, of your letter informing me of a daring outrage
committed yesterday afternoon by retainers of Higashi Kuse Chinjio,
and in his presence, in forcibly removing your groom from your
carriage.
I transmit inclosed copy of my letter to Higashi Kuse Chinjio on the
subject, from which you will perceive that I not only cordially
unite with you in the just and moderate demand you have made, but
suggest to him that the punishment of his ruffianly retainers be
public, and that I also insist upon being informed what measures he
now proposes to take to prevent a recurrence of similar outrage.
Should the answer of Higashi Kuse Chinjio not be entirely
satisfactory, I beg to assure you that I am quite prepared to unite
with my colleagues in any reasonable measure having for its object
the security and safety of persons and property at this port.
I have the honor, &c.,
R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Minister Resident
in Japan.
Baron Von Brandt, His
Prussian Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires.
Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Higashi Kuse Chinjio.
Legation of the United
States, Yokohama,
August 26, 1868.
His Excellency Higashi Kuse Chinjio, Minister for Foreign Affairs, &c., &c.,
&c.:
I have this moment been informed that the Prussian chargé d’affaires,
at half-past 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon, was assaulted, not by
common people, but by men belonging to your escort, in your
presence, in the public street, and that his groom was forcibly
taken out of his carriage.
I cordially unite with my colleague of Prussia in the demand he made
upon you in
[Page 817]
satisfaction
for this outrage, and would suggest that the punishment of the
ruffians who committed the assault be not only severe but
public.
I beg to remind you that you have been sent to this port to maintain
friendly relations with the foreign representatives on behalf of his
Majesty the Mikado.
You are therefore supposed to have certain power, and it is now in
proportion to the good will and power you will show to possess by
complying with the just demand of the Prussian chargé d’affaires
that you must depend upon the continuance of respect to be shown to
you in the exercise of your duties.
I invite you, therefore, not only to promptly comply with the just
and moderate demand of his Prussian Majesty’s chargé d’affaires, but
to inform me what measures you propose to take to prevent a
recurrence of similar outrages.
With respect and consideration,
R. B. VAN VALKENBURGH, Minister Resident
in Japan.
[Translation.]
The undersigned, his Prussian Majesty’s chargé d’affaires, has had
the honor to receive the letter of his excellency Hijashi Kuse
Chinjio, minister for foreign affairs, dated from the day before, in
which he declares that the insult offered to the undersigned on the
25th instant had happened because his, the minister’s, orders had
not been sufficiently communicated to his retainers, and that he
therefore ought to take the whole fault upon himself and could not
punish his retainers.
The undersigned will admit this declaration of his excellency the
minister for foreign affairs, but as the insult had been a public
one he must demand that the satisfaction should bear the same
character. He demands, therefore, that the annexed notification
should be posted in Japanese language at the gates of the Japanese
main street, and should remain there for three days, so that those
persons who have witnessed the insult may also be informed that it
was an unintentional one, and one which shall not be repeated.
The undersigned demands at the same time that his excellency shall
forward to him a copy of the so-published notification.
The undersigned has conferred with his colleagues on this subject,
and it is to comply with a wish they expressed that he will extend
the first delay of forty-eight hours until Saturday, the 29th
instant, at noon.
But the undersigned must add that he expects during this delay a
definite reply from his excellency Higashi Kuse, and that should the
same not prove a satisfactory one, he will find himself obliged, at
his regret, to take those steps the care for the maintenance of his
own and his government dignity will make it his duty to adopt.
With respect and consideration, his Prussian Majesty’s chargé
d’affaires,
VON BRANDT.
The insult offered to his Prussian Majesty’s representative by
pulling down his betto from his carriage on the 25th instant, in the
main street of the Japanese town, having been an unintentional one
and causing great regret to the Japanese authorities, I have
expressed my sincere regret for what has happened to his Prussian
Majesty’s chargé d’affaires, and have issued the necessary orders to
all classes of Japanese that a similar offence must not be again
committed against any foreigner.
[Translation.]
With regard to the improper behavior which men of my escort have
shown towards the Prussian minister by pulling down his betto from
his carriage on the 23d instant, I have expressed my deep regret to
the minister.
Let every one keep well in mind that henceforward nobody, whoever he
may be, shall conduct himself in such improper manner towards a
minister or a foreigner.
The above decree of Higashi Kuze No Chinjio shall be published in the
town to all people, without any exception.
SABANSHO OF KANAGAWA.
7th month 12th day,
(August 29, 1863.)
