Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I this day received a letter; from Higashi Kuze Chinjio, announcing that the Mikado’s departure from Kioto for Yedo was to have taken place on the 4th instant, and that as soon as the date of arrival would be known he would not fail to communicate with me. I further unofficially learned from the same functionary that the Mikado will be accompanied by several high dignitaries, and by an escort of three thousand men, composed of one thousand Choshinmen under command of their prince in person; one thousand Tosa soldiers, under command of the retired Daimio of that province; and the remaining one thousand men belonging to various Daimios.
A vanguard of the Mikado’s train, under command of the Daimio Todo Yamato No Kami, already passed through Kanagawa this morning.
Yesterday being the Mikado’s birthday, salutes were fired at noon from the fort and all the men-of-war in port.
[Page 834]Along the tokaido (the main road from Kioto to Yedo, a distance of about four hundred miles) preparations are now being made for a proper reception of the Mikado. Houses, palaces, and bridges are being repaired and renovated; nothing is omitted but what will impress him with the great prosperity of his country. Not only this main road, but even some of the by-roads, are being carefully swept and cleaned. The Mikado will pass through Futshti, in Suruga, where the late Tycoon and Tokugawa Kamenoske, the nominal chief of the Tokugawa clan, are now residing; and throughout the length of that province most extensive preparations are in progress, under the late Tycoon’s personal supervision, to give the Mikado a most sumptuous reception.
Already the popular belief is gaining ground that the late Tycoon will accompany the Mikado to Yedo. This is, however, very doubtful, though not in the least improbable. Such an occurrence would do much to allay the present uneasiness in this part of the country, though no actual war at present exists here, as it would be accepted as a favorable omen, and as holding out a prospect of compromise and perhaps of a return of peace.
It is now nearly two hundred and sixty years ago that the Tycoon or Shogoon became the hereditary chief executive of this country. Iyeyas, or Gongensama, was the founder of the Tycoonate, and under his laws the relative positions of the Mikado, Tycoon, and Daimios were deemed to have been fixed forever. During this long period the Mikados never left their palace in Kioto except on extremely rare occasions, to visit some temple in the vicinity of that city; and such visits were always so timed that they never spent the night under another roof but their own.
When the present Mikado, therefore, was recently induced or compelled to visit Osaka, this was by many considered an innovation that boded no good results, and which might bring disaster on the empire. It is quite probable that the heavy floods and the almost total failure of the crops in several of the western provinces of Japan strengthened these superstitious beliefs; but the military element is so much in the ascendant at present, that even superstition had to yield to expediency, and it may well be taken for granted that no such measure as this Mikado’s journey would have been resolved upon if there was no urgent necessity for it; and hence, that this approaching visit to Yedo of the highest personage in this country must have a deep significance, and cannot fail to exercise a strong influence on passing events.
It is already unofficially announced that the Mikado’s birthday is to be signalized by a decree conferring on thirty-five thousand hatamotos (hereditary lower nobility) of the late government the same pay and rice allowances enjoyed hitherto. This intelligence, if confirmed, would, in some respects, be a step in the right direction. It would be simply necessary for the Mikado to issue another decree abandoning the confiscation policy, and leaving every one in the possession of vested rights to put an end to strife. This, unfortunately, I apprehend his advisers or guardians will not permit him to accomplish. All the northern Daimios, however misrepresented, would, I feel sure, cheerfully acknowledge the Mikado’s supremacy as in former times, a point which they never contested; but they are likely to remain in arms, and fight in defense of their lives and property, as long as he remains under the control of other Daimios who are bent on their spoliation.
From information carefully collected, a clearer insight has been gained of the unexpected policy of blind submission pursued by the late Tycoon. This policy appeared the more extraordinary, as there is little doubt that the decrees of the Mikado abolishing the Tycoonate, &c., [Page 835] were spurious, in so far, at least, that they unquestionably were issued without his knowledge or consent. The Mikado, though now declared of age, is in fact still a minor, having just celebrated his nineteenth birthday; and there is good ground for believing that all the recent acts of which he is said to be the author either originated in factional dictation or were obtained by fraud.
The Shogoons or Tycoons, in that capacity, and principally as chiefs of the Tokogawa clan, controlled a revenue equal to about one-third of the whole revenue of this country. Out of this revenue they annually subsidized the Mikado’s court, paid hereditary allowances to several thousand of their hatamotos and other retainers, and met all the expenses of the government of this country. Those expenses were slightly increased after relations with other countries were established, when a department for foreign affairs was added to the other branches of the government. From those hereditary stipendiaries the officers of the government were selected, by far the greater number, however numerous the officials themselves, remaining eligible for office, in more or less temporary retirement and watching their chances. When the war broke out, the office-holders remained faithful to their prince or to their pay—the late Tycoon best knew; and of the office-seekers, a majority, in the hope, no doubt, of bettering their prospects of employment, declared in favor of the new order of things. If they were military men, their services were accepted by the officials acting in the name of the Mikado, and they were then at once sent to the front, as reported in preceding dispatches; and if civilians, they were informed that their services were not required. This very numerous clan, therefore, is now adrift, and only about thirty thousand of those who remained faithful accompanied the late Tycoon in his retirement to Suruga. Many proceeded thither in American steamers, chartered in his behalf for that purpose.
The time for collecting taxes has now approached, and in the various districts forming the domains of the Tokugawa, the Mikado’s officers may now be seen appraising crops and making assessments.
About four years ago the Prince of Choshin was in much greater straits than the late Tycoon at present. By a Mikado’s decree he was deprived of five-sixths of his revenue, himself sentenced to retirement for life. The heads of three of his chief officers were sent by him in atonement of the offense alleged to have been committed, and that atonement was not accepted. Some fighting ensued then, much in the same way as that at present carried on, though on a smaller scale. The upshot was, that he not only retained all he possessed, but at this day he is in high favor and influence, and, much as I regret to say it, as his anti-foreign feeling is undisguised, he appears to be the person who at present chiefly controls the Mikado, whom he will accompany in his visit to Yedo.
In this strange mutation of affairs in Japan, so often witnessed and so difficult for foreigners to comprehend, so as to be almost inexplicable, there is some ground for believing that the late Tycoon, well known as an able politician, will succeed in recovering at least some of the property and the rights he now appears to have lost. His present revenue, though comparatively small, is still equal to that of a first-class Daimiate, and slightly exceeded by the revenue of two Daimios only, the princes of Kagu and Satsuma. But if he should be repossessed of his estate, or only another portion thereof, he will again become the wealthiest, and therefore the most powerful, personage in this country, even if he should not again take part in its government.
The war in the north continues unabated. I learn from as good authority as can be found in this country that the southern and western [Page 836] Daimios, partly by the aid of their own and of foreign chartered steamers, actually succeeded in massing some sixty thousand of their men under the Mikado’s flag to the west coast. This army, the greatest portion of which came overland, however, was reinforced by some twenty thousand men belonging to various northern Daimios, who joined their cause, being principally actuated by jealously or fear of their neighbors. This statement appeared to me incredible; but putting it down at one-half that number, say forty thousand men all told, and this, I feel sure, is not exaggerated, it would show, as many of those troops are now operating at a distance of between two hundred and five hundred miles from their homes, a much greater military capacity than might reasonably have been expected from this people. The northern troops, though not so well armed as their opponents, and among whom the absence of concerted action is equally conspicuous, are reported to have thus far resisted quite successfully. On the 25th ultimo the first snow fell at Hakadate, and in the northern highlands the commencement of winter must have been even earlier. It is generally anticipated that the northern troops, who are of course better acclimated, may soon obtain some decided advantage. It would also appear that the southern and western Daimios sent all the men they could possibly spare to the northern coasts, with the view of closing the campaign before the winter sets in, and there appears to be no doubt now that in this respect they have utterly failed. The reports from the seat of war are very conflicting, and reach here only colored by partisan feeling. One day it is rumored that the castle of Aidzu has been taken; and on the next day the report arrives that not only did Aidzu succeed in driving all his enemies out of his territory, but that his castle is well defended, provisioned, and prepared for a three years’ siege. The Prince of Sendai is reported as about submitting to the Mikado, or going into retirement; other princes, hitherto neutral, as having declared in favor of one party or other. Some of the smaller Daimios are said to have changed sides some two or three times already
The Tokugawa squadron, which I informed you sailed from Yedo on the 5th ultimo, encountered a typhoon, doing some damage; one of the vessels, with about five hundred troops on board, was totally wrecked on the east coast, and some lives lost. Two or three other vessels were partly dismasted; and the flag-ship, the Kayomam, a twenty-five hundred-ton frigate, quite heavily armed, had her rudder disabled. This squadron, some seven days ago, was still repairing and refitting in Sendai Bay. What became of the troops on board of these vessels has not yet been ascertained.
Altogether, matters are in a most deplorable condition.
The Mikado, the nominal head of what is miscalled the government of Japan, and utterly irresponsible, in virtue of his alleged descent from the gods, is a mere instrument under the control of a few Daimios and others, who are zealously endeavoring to establish a monarchy, but which thus far has proved to be a simple despotism of the worst description. The Mia Sama in so far remains the acting Mikado of the north, as he appears to strictly confine himself to the high spiritual functions of such office, by interceding with the gods on behalf of the people. There are, however, some indications already of his drifting into meddling with the temporalities.
The late Tycoon, who has just been dispossessed of an immense revenue, and of the exalted station of the de facto sovereign of Japan, and recognized as such also by the foreign powers in their treaties, is now acting n a, to foreigners, most incomprehensible manner, by spending large urns of money in order to sumptuously entertain the very Mikado by [Page 837] whose alleged orders he is undergoing a sentence without ever having had a trial or been heard in his defense.
The material power of this country has always been in the hands of the great Daimios, and a majority of them are now asserting that power in such a variety of everchanging combinations, with or against each other, as to utterly bewilder those whose duty it is to study those matters for the information of their respective governments. The people are not unconcerned or indifferent. No special benefit did they ever derive from any change of government, nor had they ever the slightest voice in the management of public affairs. They well know that, win who may, they have to pay the expense, and will be taxed accordingly. With the aid of foreign capital some trade is still carried on at the open ports, but the houses of the large merchants in Yedo are closed almost without exception. There is a general want of confidence. First, the Prince of Satsuma ruled the Mikado’s court, and at present, the Prince of Choshin, assisted by Tosa, would seem to be the governor. The great Daimios of Etshizen, Kaga, Kishu, and others, may at any moment muster enterprise enough, as they certainly possess the power, to take their turn; and all the acts emanating from a court so governed will be in the name of the Mikado, who only receives rose-colored reports, if any, and is led to believe that he is conferring the greatest blessings and benefits upon the happy people of his country.
I do not believe that the south, notwithstanding its tremendous efforts, can subjugate the north; and even if they did, that they can succeed in holding it in submission for any length of time. The winter now favoring the hardier northern people, some success on their part at this moment might possibly convince the south of the recklessness of their undertaking, and in this only, if it should be brought about, do I perceive a faint gleam of hope, either of suspension of hostilities or perhaps even of a restoration of a state approaching to tranquillity or peace.
I transmit herewith a map showing the crests of the northern Daimios, their battle-flag and pennants; their policy is supposed to be chiefly a renewed observance of the laws of Gongen Sama, above referred to.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.