No. 245.
Mr. De Long to Mr. Fish.
United States
Legation, Japan,
November 21, 1872.
(Received December 26.)
No. 306.]
Sir: In continuation of my advices relative to bark
Maria Luz, I beg leave to advise you that after her abandonment by her
captain and mate, who left her with a crew on board at anchor in this port,
at an interview which I had with the minister for foreign affairs upon other
business matters, his excellency intimated to me that it would be agreeable
to the Japanese government if I would, on behalf of the Peruvian government,
assume the charge of the vessel and look after the crew. I replied that when
officially notified in writing that the vessel was no longer under restraint
on the part of this government, and that no objection on its part existed to
my taking charge of the vessel, I would do so.
This was promised, and on the 24th of last month I received the promised
letter, (inclosure No. 1,) upon the receipt of which I placed an American
named Benjamin C. Trask on board as keeper, his wages to be seventy-five
dollars per month for such time as he might be needed.
I found the crew on board to be twelve in number; they were mutinous and
discontented, expressing a desire to be paid off and allowed to return to
Hong-Kong.
I had the captain take and return to me an inventory of all the property
found on board the vessel, unbend and dry and stow away the sails to prevent
the crew from running away with the vessel, and her berth changed to be more
secure, of all of which by each successive mail I have advised the Peruvian
government. I endeavored to satisfy the crew to remain on board and do duty,
by showing them that some representative
[Page 556]
of the agent or owners would soon appear, satisfy
their demands, and in the mean time I would endeavor to see them provided
with all that was necessary for their wants. I did have two of them placed
in the hospital, they being sick, and notified the Japanese government that
I had done so.
Matters remained in this condition until the 11th instant, when I received a
communication from the captain, (inclosure No. 2,) advising me that the crew
were in an insubordinate and mutinous condition, pilfering and destroying
property of the ship, and demanding to be paid off and sent away, which
course he earnestly recommended in the interest of the owners of the
vessel.
This communication was accompanied by a portage bill containing the names and
statement of account of wages of each man due. (Inclosure No. 3.)
I immediately answered the captain, asking him to confer with the crew and
let me know if they were willing to accept their pay up to date, receive
their passage-tickets to Hong-Kong as part of their pay, (inclosure No. 4,)
to which the captain on the same day replied. (Inclosure No. 5.)
After the receipt of this I addressed Messrs. Walsh, Hall & Co. a note,
requesting a loan of money, upon the credit of the vessel, of a sufficient
amount to enable me to pay off the crew and defray current expenses of the
ship, (inclosure No. 6,) to which they replied in the affirmative, stating
terms. (Inclosure No. 7.)
I then on the same day addressed the agent of the Pacific Mail Steamship
Company a note, asking upon what terms this crew could be sent to Hong-Kong
on a vessel of that company then ready to sail, (inclosure No. 8,) to which
he replied, offering to take them for the sum of fifteen dollars each.
(Inclosure No. 9.) This amount, he verbally assured me, was the lowest sum
for which they ever conveyed any person, and the price charged for
prisoners; that he was induced to do this through fear that these men might
do mischief among the shipping in the port.
I then addressed the kenrei, or the governor of this port, a note, (inclosure
No. 10,) inclosing a copy of the captain’s communication to me, and advising
him that I approved the captain’s recommendations, and would pay the crew
and send them away, provided the kenrei saw proper to discharge them, to
which, on the following day, the 12th instant, the governor of the port
replied (inclosure No. 11) offering to discharge the crew at once.
I then addressed Captain Trask a note (inclosure No. 12) inclosing to him a
draft for six hundred and thirty-eight Mexican dollars, directing him to
have the crew at the kenrei’s office at the hour designated by the governor
to be discharged, to there procure passage-tickets for them at fifteen
dollars each, place them on board the steamer China when that ship was ready
to sail, and then deliver to each man his ticket and the amount due him, and
to report his proceedings to me, which he did by a note addressed to me on
the 14th instant, (inclosure No. 13,) in which he advised me of having sent
them all away, and of their having assaulted him, of the police having been
called to his assistance, and that some of the officers of the steamer China
were also assaulted by them. The agent of the steamer China also advised me
of their having fired their revolvers repeatedly into the boats surrounding
the steamer, thus proving their insubordination and desperate character.
Subsequently his excellency the minister for foreign affairs expressed
himself to me as highly gratified with my proceedings in connection
[Page 557]
with this vessel and crew. I then
informed him that my course in this matter had been severely criticised by
correspondents of the American press, who had grossly misrepresented the
same and among other things asserted that the Japanese officials had felt
annoyed and disappointed by my actions; that I would address him a note,
which I did that day, (inclosure No. 14,) advising him of the departure of
the crew, to which, if he pleased, I would like to have him reply,
expressing his real feelings relative to my action. This he assured me he
would do with pleasure.
What the nature of that reply will be I know not, as I have not yet received
it, but it is promised to me by mail to-morrow, and will accompany this as
inclosure No. 15.
Permit me, sir, in concluding this dispatch, to state that as you had
requested me to act for the Peruvian government in this empire, as I had
accepted that trust, and notified the Peruvian government of my acceptance,
when appealed to by the captain of this ship to make known to the central
government the action of the local authorities at this port, and inquire if
the same had the sanction of its authorities, to ask if his passengers who
had been summoned ashore as witnesses were to be returned on board his ship,
and to obtain a certified copy of the record of the proceedings for
transmission to the Peruvian government for its information, I felt that
this much I could not consistently refuse to do, as such action could have
no effect in protecting the captain, who had already been tried and
convicted, or in restoring the coolies to a condition of bondage.
I did not, as has been asserted, revoke or express any regret at the action
taken by Mr. Shepard, but, on the contrary, followed the same course that he
did, until after the trial and conviction of the captain. The communications
that I then wrote to this government, I read and considered with Mr.
Shepard, inasmuch as he had previous charge of this business, and he warmly
approved the same, remarking that he did not see how I could say anything
less, nor how my action could be considered as wrong.
This I mention in proof of my assurances that there has been no conflict of
judgment or ill-feeling about this matter between Mr. Shepard and myself, as
has been stated.
That there has been none between this government and myself I have the
repeated assurances of the minister for foreign affairs verbally given, and
I beg leave also to refer to the communication which he has promised to
send.
I trust that you will grant that my position in dealing with this matter was
not wholly devoid of difficulty and embarrassment.
If my conduct of it should in any way meet with your disapproval I shall
deeply regret it, as I did my best to serve the power which you wished me
to, without offending this or violating previous instructions received from
you.
It is my misfortune to have arrayed against me the hostility of some persons
here, who are correspondents of the eastern press, who, criticising my
actions without at first obtaining authentic information, have succeeded in
prejudicing the public mind.
One of these gentlemen I have advised, through Mr. Shepard, and again through
Mr. E. Peshine Smith, that he has erred in his statements as to my course,
and done me an injustice, offering at the same time on both occasions to
meet him in a friendly way, and convince him of his error. He has on both
occasions declined to meet me, and, as I am
[Page 558]
advised by others, has threatened to continue a system
of attacks upon my official course.
It is not my intention, in the future in correspondence with you, to notice
any newspaper criticisms, and I trust you will pardon me for having done so
in this instance.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1.—Translation.]
Soyeshmia Tane-omi to
Mr. De Long.
Foreign
Office, Tokei,
The 20th of 9th month, 5th year
Meiji.
I have the honor to inform your excellency that according to my
intimation to you I have made inquiries from the Kanagawa kencho, and
learn that the Peruvian hark Maria Luz is under no restraint or arrest
from the kencho in any manner.
If you, in the capacity of extending your good offices on behalf of Peru
to that ship and her crew, see fit to do so, there would seem no
objection to your taking such charge of the vessel as you may think
advisable, and you have the assent of this department to do so.
With respect, &c.,
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Trask to Mr.
De Long.
Received
November 11, 1872.
Sir: I take the liberty to address yon in
regard to the crew of the Maria Luz, which I am in command of at
present, lying in Yokohama. The crew of said vessel are all very much
dissatisfied with the vessel, and are continually complaining about
stopping on board any longer, and they are insubordinate and unruly,
being entirely ungovernable, and to what excess this may lead to finally
is impossible to tell; they will not work on board, although they will
try and pilfer and destroy everything that they can lay hands upon for
money and liquor; they are no interest to the ship or owners, but all
the reverse, and if any longer by the vessel something serious may
happen, as they are not to be trusted for a moment, and their
imprisonment and confinement will follow. So, for the benefit and
interest of the government of Peru and the owners of the vessel, and
likewise the residents of Japan, I, after a careful interview with them
on several occasions on the subject of remaining on board and behaving
themselves as they should do, have come to the conclusion that arguing
with them is of no avail. So, I, B. C. Trask, master of the vessel,
recommend their discharge as soon as possible as an interest to the
owners, &c. The expenses of the vessel now, with this crew on board,
for provisions and wages, amount to about $400 per month, not including
the destruction they cause. The provisions for cooly use on board are
nearly all spoiled, being poorly cared for, both by water and rats and
mice, &c., and mostly all provisions on board that are any good must
be used, to save them. I have taken great pains since my command of the
vessel in regard to the vessel’s provisions, &c. The expense of the
vessel, after the discharge of the crew, including salaries, provisions,
&c., for myself and a sufficient crew to care for her during her
stay here will amount to $140 per month. The time of the crew on board
since signing articles at Macao is five months and sixteen days up to
the 11th of November, 1872, they having come on board May 26, 1872. The
amount of wages requisite to pay them amounts to $636.21, they having
received two months’ advance each at the beginning of the voyage,
&c. So, sir, should you regard this as interest to the ship and
owners, as I feel quite confident you will, on careful investigation
into the same, as I have complained before on several occasions of them,
I deem it necessary for all concerned in the vessel to discharge them as
they are wining to pay their own way to Hong-Kong, and sign clear of the
ship and owners, &c.
I have, &c.,
[Page 559]
[Inclosure 3.]
Portage bill of the Maria Luz, from May 26,
1872, up to October 30, 1872.
| Names. |
When
shipped. |
Rank. |
Advanced wages. |
Time on board. |
Cash
rec’d. |
Jail
fees. |
Wages per
month. |
Balance due. |
|
|
|
|
Mo. |
days. |
|
|
|
|
| James Brown |
May 20 |
Carpenter |
2 mos. |
$30 |
5 |
4 |
|
|
$25 00 |
$78 88⅓ |
| Louiz Robin |
May 20 |
Seaman |
2 mos. |
30 |
5 |
4 |
|
$5 00 |
15 00 |
42 00 |
| José Raiz |
May 20 |
Store-keeper |
2 mos. |
36 |
5 |
4 |
|
|
18 00 |
56 00 |
| Antonio Corniras |
May 20 |
Seaman |
2 mos. |
30 |
5 |
4 |
|
1 50 |
15 00 |
45 50 |
| Manuel Cordoz |
May 20 |
do |
2 mos. |
30 |
5 |
4 |
|
|
15 00 |
47 00 |
| Carlos Quadaro |
May 20 |
do |
2 mos. |
30 |
5 |
4 |
|
|
15 00 |
47 00 |
| Manuel Ardovel |
May 20 |
Ord. sergeant |
2 mos. |
26 |
5 |
4 |
|
5 00 |
13 00 |
35 73⅓ |
| Quan Asirero |
May 20 |
do |
2 mos. |
26 |
5 |
4 |
|
1 50 |
13 00 |
39 23 |
| Quan Melino, on board |
May 20 |
do |
2 mos. |
26 |
5 |
4 |
|
5 00 |
13 00 |
35 73 |
| Amasio Equardo, hospital |
May 20 |
Seaman |
2 mos. |
30 |
5 |
4 |
|
|
15 00 |
47 00 |
| Jese Guteria, hospital |
May 20 |
Ord. sergeant |
2 mos. |
26 |
5 |
4 |
|
|
13 00 |
40 73 |
| Quan Amisado |
May 20 |
do |
2 mos. |
30 |
5 |
4 |
|
|
15
00 |
47 00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
562 21 |
Pay extended for twelve days more—whole
time being 3 months 16 days—to November 12, 1872.
|
Wages due for 3 months 16 days. |
Received. |
| James Brown |
$88 88⅓ |
$73 88½ |
| Louiz Robin |
48 00 |
33 00 |
| José Raiz |
63 60 |
48 60 |
| Manuel Cordoz |
53 00 |
38 00 |
| Antonio Corniras |
51 50 |
36 50 |
| Carlos Quadaro |
53 00 |
38 00 |
| Manuel Andovel |
40 93 |
25 93 |
| Quan Asirero |
44 43 |
29 73 |
| Quan Melino |
40 73 |
25 73 |
| Amasio Equardo |
53 00 |
38 00 |
| José Guteria |
45 93 |
30 93 |
| Quan Amisado |
53 00 |
38 00 |
| Sum total |
$636 20 |
$460 20 |
Wages due each man.
| James Brown, carpenter |
|
$88 88½ |
| Quan Melina |
|
40 93 |
| Quan Andovel |
|
40 93 |
| Carlos Quadaro |
|
53 00 |
| Guiz Robin |
|
48 00 |
| Antonio Cornirero |
|
52 50 |
| Quan Amisado |
|
53 00 |
| José Guteria |
|
45 93 |
| José Raiz |
|
63 60 |
| Quan Aserero |
|
44 43 |
| For Hong-kong |
|
531 20 |
| Ten men for Hong-Kong. |
|
|
| Manuel Codozo |
$53 00 |
|
| Amasio Querdo |
53 00 |
|
| Stay at Yokohama |
|
106 00 |
| Total amount |
|
637 20 |
B. C. TRASK,
Master
Maria Luz.
[Page 560]
[Inclosure 4.]
Mr. De
Long to Mr. Trask.
United
States Legation, Japan,
November 11, 1872.
No. 146.]
Sir: Your communication, with its inclosure,
relative to the Maria Luz, is at hand. I quite agree with your
recommendations. Inquire of the crew if they will receive their wages on
board the steamer China, and sign as you specify; the cost of their
passage per man to be deducted, and passage-tickets given. Let me know
their reply this afternoon, and give me a list of the names of those who
wish to go, and the amount due to each.
Yours, respectfully,
[Inclosure 5.]
Mr. Trask to Mr.
De Long.
Received
November 11, 1872.
Sir: I have communicated with the men, and they
are very willing to do as I specify. There are ten who wish to go to
Hong-Kong, and two who wish to join the Idaho, or any American
man-of-war that they can join for three years.
I remain, &c.,
[Inclosure 6.]
Mr. De
Long to Messrs. Walsh, Hall &
Co.
United
States Legation, Japan,
November 11, 1872.
No. 144.]
Gentlemen: As the recognized political agent
for the government of Peru in this empire, I have, with the consent of
the Japanese authorities, assumed charge and control of the Peruvian
bark Maria Luz, now at anchor, abandoned by her officers, in this port.
It is necessary for me to obtain money from some source to meet the
necessary expenses of the vessel and crew, until such a time as I
receive instructions as to their disposition from the Peruvian
government or the owners of the vessel. I should like to open such an
account with your house, and for such moneys as I draw, your lien upon
the ship shall be recognized as first in order of payment. I shall only
draw for crew’s wages and current expenses. Please advise me if I may do
so, and also upon what terms you will make such advances, and oblige
Yours, &c.,
[Inclosure 7.]
Messrs. Walsh, Hall &
Co. to Mr. De
Long.
Yokohama, November 11,
1872.
Dear Sir: In reply to your communication of
this date concerning funds for the disbursements of the Peruvian bark
Maria Luz, (which flag you represent,) we respond with pleasure to your
request, and shall be pleased to honor your drafts upon us for this
object, charging commission of five per cent. upon the amount so
disbursed without funds in hand, with the addition of one per cent.
interest on the advance per month until the time of reimbursement. These
charges are according to our usual scale, and we shall be glad to be of
any service to you or to the legation in furnishing you with funds on
this account.
We are, &c.,
WALSH, HALL & CO.
[Inclosure 8.]
Mr. De
Long to Mr. Lane.
United
States Legation, Japan,
November 11, 1872.
No. 145.]
Sir: The crew of the Peruvian ship Maria Luz,
now at anchor in this port, abandoned by her officers, are reported to
me by Captain Trask to be discontented and mutinous. They have expressed
the desire to me to be paid the wages due to them, and to be embarked
[Page 561]
for Hong-Kong in the
company’s steamers. They are very poor, some of them sick, and, as they
are qualifiedly under my protection, I have concluded in their interest
and that of the owners of the ship to discharge them, pay them off, and
send them to Hong-Kong on the steamer China, if I can make satisfactory
arrangements with you to that end. Will you kindly advise me upon what
most reasonable terms you will give the passage to that port, and
oblige
Yours, &c.,
[Inclosure 9.]
Mr. Lane to Mr.
De Long.
Office
Pacific Mail Steamship Company,
Yokohama, November 11,
1872.
Dear Sir: Your favor No. 145, of date, stating
the condition of the crew of the Maria Luz, and requesting to know on
what terms we will carry them to Hong-Kong on the steamship China, has
had our careful attention. In view of the circumstances of the case, we
will perform the service at the rate of $15 (Mexican) per man.
Trusting that the same may meet with your approval,
We remain, &c.,
[Inclosure 10.]
Mr. De
Long to Oye
Takee.
United
States Legation, Japan,
November 11, 1872.
Sir: I have the honor to bring to your notice a
communication this day received by me from Captain Benjamin Trask,
master of the Peruvian bark Maria Luz, recommending the payment and
discharge of the crew of the said ship. His recommendations meet with my
approval. If they do with your own, I will furnish Captain Trask with
the money to pay the crew, less their passage-money, ($15 each,) which
he will pay to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company for their passage to
Hong-Kong on the steamer China, to sail the 13th instant.
Please reply at once.
I remain, &c.,
[Inclosure 11.—Translation.]
Oye Takee to Mr.
De Long.
Kanagawa
Kencho, November 12,
1872.
Sir: Your communication of the 11th instant,
with inclosure from Captain Trask, of the bark Maria Luz, recommending
the discharge and payment of the crew of that vessel, which is approved
by yourself, is received and considered.
The reason given for the discharge of the crew seems to be good, and the
course suggested therefore approved. You will therefore please notify
Captain Trask to appear with the crew at this kencho to-day at 2 o’clock
p.m., when they may, upon being paid, be discharged.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 12.]
Mr. De
Long to Mr. Trask.
United
States Legation, Japan,
November 12, 1872.
No. 148.]
Sir: Inclosed I send you a draft on Walsh, Hall
& Co. for the sum of six hundred and thirty-eight dollars, (Mexican,
$638.) Get this cashed at once, and then take all of the crew of the
Maria Luz desiring to be discharged to the kencho at 2 p.m. to-day;
[Page 562]
obtain their discharges,
giving them chits for their money, and passage-tickets to Hong-Kong.
Then proceed to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company’s office and purchase
passage-tickets for Hong-Kong at fifteen dollars ($15) each for all who
wish to go. See the crew on board the China to-night or early in the
morning to-morrow, and just before the steamer sails give each man his
passage-ticket and the money due him, and report your proceedings in
writing to me.
I remain. &c.,
[Inclosure 13.]
Mr. Trask to Mr.
De Long.
Yokohama, November 12,
1872.
Sir: I have sent twelve men of the Maria Luz
away to Hong-Kong, as ordered. I remained on board the steamer with them
until 2 a.m., and then I gave them the money and the purser of the
steamer the tickets. They gave me much trouble up to the last moment.
They tried to rob me, and they tried to take my life on the vessel and
on the Hatoba likewise. I was forced to call on the English police to
protect me so I could go on board the steamer. The purser knocked down
two of them. They stole two of the swords out of the vessel last night.
I went on board, overhauled their baggage, but I could not find anything
of them. They, I suppose, threw them overboard, to avoid being arrested.
They all signed clear of the ship and owners in the kencho. I paid them
the sum of six hundred and thirty-six dollars and twenty cents, as
directed. I used or appropriated the remainder, which was one dollar and
eighty cents, for sampan hire, &c. Total sum drawn, six hundred and
thirty-eight dollars, ($638.)
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 14.]
Mr. De
Long to Soyeshmia
Tane-omi.
United
States Legation, Japan,
November 20, 1872.
No. 128.]
Sir: I have the honor to advise you that
Captain Trask, master of the Maria Luz, advised me that her crew are in
a mutinous and insubordinate condition; that they were demanding to be
paid the wages due them and be discharged. He had become alarmed that
they might commit some act of violence to the vessel or himself unless
their request was complied with; in view of which statement of facts he
recommended to me that the crew be discharged and sent away. Attaching
full faith and credit to this report, I forwarded a copy of the same to
your kencho at Kanagawa, indorsing the recommendations made by the
captain, and offering, in event the crew should be discharged, to pay
them their wages and provide a way for them to leave the empire. Your
kencho also approving the recommendations, did discharge the twelve
members of the crew, who, upon receiving from me their wages and
passage-tickets for Hong-Kong, left the port of Yokohama on the last
American mail steamer.
While being placed on board the steamer, it is reported to me that they
behaved in a very outrageous manner, assaulting the captain and several
of your police officers with their knives and pistols, and, after
arriving on board the steamer, firing at boats around the vessel.
The ship Maria Luz is now in charge of the captain, one of the former
crew, and a Japanese assistant.
I sincerely trust that this report may be gratifying to your excellency,
and that in the whole matter of the Maria Luz what I have done by way of
lending my good offices to the Peruvian government may not have resulted
in annoyance or inconvenience to your excellency’s government or
yourself.
I remain, &c.,
[Page 563]
[Inclosure 15.—Translation.]
Soyeshmia Tane-omi to
Mr. De Long.
Foreign
Office, Tokei,
The 21st of 10th month, 5th year
Meiji.
In reply to your excellency’s note of November 20, 1872, I beg to say
that I am gratified to learn that you have sent the riotous crew of the
Maria Luz beyond the limits of this empire.
I add with great pleasure that nothing which you have done while lending
your good offices to the government of Peru in the affair of the Maria
Luz has been otherwise than agreeable to this government and to
myself.
With respect, &c.,
