ri ^v p •-._' ( CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY THE CHARLES WILLIAM WASON COLLECTION ON CHINA AND THE CHINESE Date Due tr m & Cornell University Library DS 849.G7A3 1860 Correspondence with Her Maiesty's envo' 3 1924 023 437 803 :n^KM ^■^'■HBtas^msiiii^-^iiai^ii AT Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924023437803 CORRESPONDENCE WITH HER MAJESTY'S ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY AND MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY IN JAPAN. Presented to both Houses of Parliament hy Command of Her Majesty. 1860. LONDON: PRINTED BY HARRISON AND SONS. C-H TABLE OF CONTENTS. ■Jo. 1. Mr. Alcock 2. To Mr. Alcock 3. Mr. Alcock Subject. 4. „ 6. „ 7. „ 9. To Mr. Alcock . 10. „ 11. Mr. Alcock 13. „ 14. „ » ••' 1 5. To Mr. Alcock Nov, 10, 16. ,) j> 10, 17. „ 10, 18. Mr. Alcock .. Sept. 3, June 16, 1859 A.ug. 29, July 9, 13, 13, 14, 14, 14, Oct. 7, 17, July 28, Aug. 10, 11, 13, Page Reporting his arrival at Nagasaki, and the steps taken for the estab- lishment of the British Consulate there . . . . . . . . 1 Approval of his proceedings at Nagasai;i . . . . . . 7 Arrival and assumption of office at Yedo 7 Difficulties which have arisen re- specting the site for foreigners at Kanagawa. Note addressed to the Japanese Government in the subject . . . . . . . 10 Issue of a new silver currency, and consequent depreciation of the dollar 14 Describing the ceremony of ex- changing ratifications . . . . 16 State of affairs at Nagasaki. Trade hetween that port and Shanghae . 20 Further intelligence from Nagasaki. Proceedings of the Dutch and Americans at Kanagawa. Ill- advised proceedings of various merchants with regard to the site for a foreign location at Yoku- hania . . . . . . . . 24 Approval of his proceedings since his arrival in Japan. Merchants should be warned not to admit the right of the Japanese Go- vernment to exclude them from Kanagawa . . . . . . 26 Instructions as to the eventual establishment of a British Con- sulate at Nee-egata . , . . 26 Ill-feeling displayed by the Japanese Government. Difficulties of his position . . . . . . . . 26 Has assumed the title of Plenipo- tentiary, and has appointed Cap- tain Vyse Acting Consul at Kanagawa, and Mr. Eusden Acting Vice Consul at Yedo. Instructions given to them .. 27 Unsatisfactory state of affairs. Outrages on foreigners at Yedo, Impediments to trade caused by the currency regulations. Re- monstrance addressed to the Japanese Government . .. 31 Result of communications to the Japanese Government. Settle- ment of the currency question ^ 42 Approval of his proceedings on exchanging ratifications . . . 43 Approval of his conduct with re- spect to the currency question . . 43 To insist tirmly on all Treaty rights. Intentions of Her Ma- jesty's Government with regard to China , , . . . . . 43 Arrival of a Russian squadron. . Murder of a Russian officer and two seamen at Yokuhama . . 43 b 2 IV TABLE OF CONTENTS. No. 19. Mr. Alcock 20. „ „ 21. „ Sept. 3, 1859 22. 23. »» •» ?» JJ 24. To Mr. Alcock 25. „ !» ? 27. » 5 28. Mr. Alcock 29. ,. » 5) 30. „ „ 31. ,. „ 32. To Mr. Alcock 3, 7, 7, 8, Dec. 3, 8, 8, 10, Sept. 20, 24, 24, 24, Dec. 22, 33. Mr. Alcock . . Oct. 20, 34. 35. 36. To Mr.'Alcock" ' '. [ Jan. 20, 22, 3, 1860 37. Mr. Alcock . . Nov. 10, 1859 38. 39. !J J1 12, 23, Subject. Pasre 48 51 53 54 58 58 59 59 Answer of the Japanese Govern- ment to the remonstrance ad- dressed to them on the unsatis- factory state of affairs. Redress promised. Correspondence re- specting' the publication of the Treat}' . . Arrangement come to with regard to passports Japanese Government consent to receive dollars from merchants, and to reissue them, recoined into itzebous. Considers this a satis- factory solution of the currency question . A site determined on for the foreign location at Kanagawa The murderers of the Russian officer and seamen not yet seized. Arrival of the French Minister : arrangements made for his re- ception . . . . . . . , 57 Approval of his proceedings re- specting the foreign location at Kanagawa Appointment as Envoy Extraor- dinary and Minister Plenipoten- tiary. Instructions ■ as 'to pre- senting credentials. Course to be pursued in case of his absence or death . The Charge d' Affaires also to act as Consul-General Approval of his proceedings re- specting the currency question . Prospects of trade. State of the country . . . . ; . . . 59 Correspondence with Mr. Morri- son respecting the state of affairs at Nagasaki. Steps taken by the Government to meet the demand for itzebous Correspondence with Mr. Morri- son respecting th'e site for a foreign settlement at Nagasaki. Of opinion that a separate loca- tion is desirable. . .. .. 67 Proposed visit to Hakodadi to in- stal Mr. Hodgson in his Consu- late. Has left Mr. Eusden in charge . , Satisfaction at improved aspect of affairs. Mr. Morrison to be cautious in his dealings with the Japanese authorities Proceedings at Hakodadi. Esta- blishment of the Consulate there. Instructions given to Mr. Hodg- son Prospect ; of trade at Hakodadi . ! Slate of affairs at Nagasaki Approval of his proceedings at Hakodadi Result of the demands made on the Japanese Government for satisfaction for the murder of the Russian officer and seamen. Out- rages on foreigners. Remon- strance addressed to the Govern- ment Burning of the Tycoon's castle at Yedo Has requested an interview with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs. Repugnance of the ruling classes' to all intercourse with foreigners 87 62 69 69 70 75 76 77 77 86 TABLE OF CONTENTS. No. Subject. Page 40. To Mr. Alcock Feb. 25, 1860 Approval of his proceedings re- specting the stoppage of trade. Copies of correspondence with East India and China Associa- • tion. Coui-se the Jap:inese aul iio- rities should be advised to adopt. 88 41. Mr. Alcock , . . Dec. 6, 1859 Continued stoppage of trade. Diffi- culty in procuring an interview with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs., Further note addressed to them . , . . . . . . 89 42. )> )> 10, Interview with Ministers of Foreign Affairs. Note addressed to them staling the various causes for 43. 14, complaint . . . . . . 92 Reports from Consuls Morrison and Hodgson. Impediments offered to trade at Nagasaki and Hiikodadi .. .. ..96 44. To Mr. Alcock Feb. 28, 1860 Approval of his general conduct. Should not threaten war . , 98 45. Mr. Alcock Jan. 7, General review of affairs . . . . 98 Correspondence with Her Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in Japan. No. 1. Mr. Alcoch to the Earl of Malmesbury . — {Received August 27.) My Lord, " Sampson," Nagasaki, June 16, 1859. IN my despatch from Shanghae of the li9th May, I stated my inten- tion of touching at Nagasaki on my way to Yedo, and deciding as to the expediency of at once establishing a Consulate when on the spot. Her Majesty's ship " Sampson" arrived on the 4th instant, after a somewhat lengthened passage, owing to thick and rainy weather for six days ; and I have now the honour to report the steps taken prior to my departure for Yedo, which is fixed for the 1 8th instant. The information received at Shanghae had not misled me as to the necessity there existed for the appearance of a British authority to enter into relations with the Governor and other local officers. I found fifteen square-rigged vessels in the harbour — men-of-war and merchantmen — under British, Dutch, Ameirican, and Russian flags, and some fifteen British subjects resident on shore, and actively engaged in trade, most of it transacted by -means of contracts with the Govern- ment or its officers. Fifteen thousand tons of shipping appear to have found profitable employment here within, the last six months. AH trade has been carried on under the provisions of the Dutch Treaties, and Additional Acts of the 30th January, 1856, and 16th October, 1857, or the Ru*ian of the 12th Octo- ber, 1857, signed by Admiral Poutiatine, opening the ports of Nagasaki and Hakodadi to trade under certain restrictions and prohibitions ; and as, in confor- mity with these, any advantages or privileges they conferred had been secured to British subjects by the favoured-nation clause of Admiral Stirling's Treaty, signed on the 14th October, 1855, I conceive the Queen's Order in Council was not directed against those conforming to such Treaties, and violating no esta- blished law or usage, and therefore felt under no necessity of ignoring the exist- ing trade and mercantile community Havifig ascertained that the trade under Dutch, British, and other flags indiscriminately had thus been carried on with the direct sanction and official cognizance of the Governor of Nagasaki, who had in many instances facilitated the merchants acquiring houses and places of business, I entered into immediate communication with his Excellency, and was, two days after my arrival, officially received at his residence. A similar visit of ceremony was returned on board Her Majesty's ship " Sampson" a few days later. Since then 1 have had a long conference with him on several matters of pressing importance in regard to the near opening of the port under British and American Treaty Regulations, the substance of which will be found in a precis I transmitted to him the next day, copy of which I have the honour to inclose. Your Lordship will not be surprised that, under such circumstances, at the earnest request of the Governor, I determined on immediately placing a Consular establishment at the port ; and seeing that I had no other officer with any know- ledge or experience of Consular affairs as they are conducted even in Europe, there seemed to be no doubt as to the expediency of selecting Mr. Hodgson to [133] B ^'iace temporarily in charge. I had the additional motive that it was consonant with that gentleman's wishes, and that at Hakodadi, so far as ,1 have been able to learn, there is neither British ship nor merchant. The inclosed copies of instruction given to Mr. Hodgson will put your Lordship in possession of the chief points to which I have deemed it necessary to draw his attention. I inclose also copy of the first notification issued, announcing Mr. Hodgson's taking charge, and circulating the Trade Regula- tions to come in force on the 1st of July. The finding a location, and fitting the rooms of a temple obtained for a dwelling, have necessarily occupied some time ; but Mr. Hodgson and his family took possession, and the Conisular flag was hoisted two days ago. To the immediate and satisfactory settlement of all the questions attaching -to the choice, and the joint occupation, of a site for a foreign location, I found insuperable obstacles, many of which can only be removed at Yedo. I found the Governor courteous, and full of assurances of his wish to establish all our relations upon the most friendly and satisfactory footing. I did not fail to give him similar assurances on the part of Her Majesty's Government ; but it was very evident his Excellency desired to take as. little responsibihty upon himself as might be, nor could I feel surprised at this : just on the eve of new Treaties coming into force, with everything to learn as to our modes of business and habits of action, as well as the ultimate tendency of measures pressed upon their acceptance. It will no doubt be up-hill and laborious work to make any decided progress for a long time to come ; and the first and greatest difficulty to be overcome consists in our ignorance of their language. So long as this exists, there can be nothing very satisfactory, either in our intercourse or relations. It is bad enough in discussing a wide range of subjects involving all the technicalities of ti'ade and the provisions of Treaties, that whatever is said by each of the principals must go through the process of interpretation into another tongue. But hei-e the last recipient of any ideas sought to be conveyed by us to a Japanese autho- rity, offers not the slightest guarantee for fidelity in rendering even as much as he understands of such new matters, and that I believe is often very little. I am so penetrated with this conviction, that no good is to be done here until we can ourselves speak to the authorities, and in their own tongue, that I shall not hesitate to devote every spare hour to the acquisition of the language. It is quite possible I may not remain long enough to turn it to much account, but at least it wiU be a satisfaction to myself, and I trust may serve as an encourage- ment to others who are younger and have more to look forward to in the service of their country. It will not be in my power to report the actual expenses incurred in locating the Consular establishment here, and fitting up the premises ; but I can answer for their being very moderate. The rent of the temporary premises for the whole Consular establishment amounts to something less than lOOZ. per annum, and the fitting-up expenses, carpenter and mason-work all included, I do not expect to exceed half that amount. I have done my best to bring to bear much personal experience in China under similar circumstances, and I trust the course I have taken in all these aiTangements may meet your Lordship's approval. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 1 in No. 1. Precis of the Conversation with the Governor of Nagasaki on the 14th of June, 1859. THE Undersigned, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul- General in Japan having to-day, in a personal interview with his Excellency the Governor of Nagasaki, discussed various matters connected with the administration of affairs at Nagasaki, where the interests of British subjects are involved, he deems it expedient to recapitulate in writing the chief points, in order that his Excellency the Governor may, in reply, state how far his impressions of the results arrived at are in unison with the Consul-General's, and thus, before the departure of the latter for Yedo, correct any misconception. L His Excellency the Governor undertakes, as a provisional arrangement, to attach to the British Consulate here two subordinate officials (one of whom shall understand Dutch), in order to facilitate communication between his Excellency the Governor and Her Majesty's Consul, and prevent intrusion by Japanese at the Consulate for objects of curiosity, as well as to secure due respect for the Consul on the part of Japanese subjects ignorant of his rank and office. When it may be necessary, for the transaction of any official business, that Her Majesty's Consul should enter into vivd voce communication with his Excellency the Governor, the latter will be prepared to give the Consul every facility and ready access. 2. Her Majesty's Consul-General having drawn the attention of his Excel- lency the Governor to the near approach of the 1st of July, when it will be necessary that all preliminary arrangements of the trade under the regulations of the Treaty signed at Yedo, the 26th August last, should be completed, is informed that the Governor hopes to be perfectly prepared. The' Custom-house adminis- tration will be organized and ready to carry out the Trade Eegulations attached to the Treaty ; the Treasury, with sufficient supply of Japanese coin to exchange against foreign gold and silver ; and notification will be issued publicly declaring all Government interference in the hire of boats or coolies, purchase or payment of goods, &c., at an end. 3. So in like manner his Excellency assured the Undersigned, in answer to his inquiries, that the Chinese at this port will no longer be allowed to claim an exclusive right to the export trade in certain articles of produce, such as dried oysters, seaslug, gensing, &c., but that these, and all articles hitherto mono- polized by the Chinese Guild, shall be open to competition for foreign merchants, and they will have the right to buy without control or interference in the market. 4. That rape-seed and all other seed (not being wheat or rice) may be freely exported by British merchants. 5. Also, that when copper is to be sold, the British merchants shall be duly advised of the quantity to be . brought forward at each Government sale, as well as the time and place of sale. 6. In reference to arrangements for levying the 5 per cent, ad valorem duty provided by Treaty for exports, it was represented to his Excellency the Governor that it would be highly desirable to have a fixed tariff of value for aU the principal articles, to be revised from time to time ; so that a merchant, in making his contracts for produce to be brought from the interior, would know the exact amount of duty to be paid. This would be advantageous to both paxties, by removing, between merchants and Custom-house, a common cause of doubt or dispute as to the value on which the duty was to be levied ; the quantity of produce alone, under such arrangement, would have to be settled. The Undersigned understood his Excellency the Governor to prefer fixing the value by the joint declaration of purchaser and seller, as to the price actually paid ; the fluctuations in value from day to day, or month to month, being too great to allow of a fixed value for any period in anticipation. 7. The Undersigned called the Governor's attention to the difficulty there might ,be in providing a silver or gold currency adequate to the probable require- ments of trade, and the possibility of supplying the deficiency by the issue of Treasury or Bank notes, payable to bearer, convertible at pleasure, and trans- ferable, therefore, fi-om hand to hand, as in China, and over Europe generally, by which means transactions to a vast amount are carried out daily, with scarcely any actual transfer of coin or bullion. The Governor was understood to admit the possible advantage of adopting a paper currency at Nagasaki, but was not prepared to take any steps in anticipation of the difficulty of providing in sufficient quantity a metallic currency. 8. In relation to a proposed site for the location of foreigners, with adequate water-^frontage in the Bay of Nagasaki, the result of a lengthened conversation was the refusal, on the part of the Undersigned, after communica- tion with the Dutch and American Ministers, to accept, under any conditions of ultimate extension by bunding or filling up, the ground indicated in the plan forwarded to him by the Governor, as only in reahty affording accommodation for B 2 two mercantile firms, with a frontage of 150 feet each, while there are more than a dozen British merchants already in the place claiming ground for a permanent location. His Excellency the Governor, pending the representations which the Ministers of Treaty Powders may see fit to make at Yedo on the subject, stated his readiness to undertake, as a provisional measure, to assign at once, wherever it may be found possible, at fair and equitable rates, whether in or beyond the city, and along the whole face of the bay, such warehouse-room or vacant ground for temporary accommodation as might be found suited to mercantile purposes ; such locations to be assigned to British merchants, in common with the merchants of other Treaty Powers, in proportion to their respective bond fide wants, upon representation from their respective Consuls. And although such location is to be held as provisional, and, therefore, no foreign merchant may claim to build thereon a permanent tenement giving him other than provisional right of location ; yet such adaptation of buildings already existing, or new premises as he may choose to incur the expense of building provisionally on such temporary tenure, or that Japanese proprietors of the ground may feel disposed to build lor him, may be erected without let or hindrance on this understanding. 9. Some inquiries about postal communication with Yedo, the supply of coals from Check-en-gan, Heerado, &c., led to the information that the first existed at regular dates three times a month, namely, on the 7th, 17th, and 27th of the Japanese months, taking a period of from twenty to twenty-five days, and was available to the Consul. Regarding the coal mines, the Undersigned was informed that they were the property of certain Princes, and his Excellency the Governor could facilitate no communication with them, even for the purpose of ofilering the assistance of scientific and practised men to insure their more profitable working. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK, Her Britannic Mo-jesty's Consul-General in Japan. " Sampson," Nagasaki, June 15, 1850. Inclosure 2 in No. 1. Mr. Alcock to Consul Hodgson. Sir, " Sampson" Bay of Nagasaki, June 13, 1859. FINDING on my arrival here that British trade, to a considerable extent, was already estabUshed ; that under the Dutch Treaties of January 30, 1856, and 16th October, 1857, and the Russian Treaty likewise of the 12th October, 1 857, to the advantages of which the British subjects became entitled under the most favoured nation clause of Admiral Stirling's Treaty or Convention of the 14th October, 1855, many British firms had opened houses of business and taken up their residence at Nagasaki, ] have deemed it desirable to estabHsh a Consulate at this port without delay. Mr. Morrison, the Consul appointed to the port, can scarcely be expected to arrive here before the middle or end of July, prior to which the provisions of the Treaty signed by Lord Elgin in August last will come into effect, opening three ports on this coast to British trade, under the Regulations of Trade thereto annexed, and probably leading to a large and rapid development of the commerce, already of some value and extent. At Hakodadi, on the contrary, I have no information that there is any trade under the British flag, or a single British resident thei:e. Under these circumstances, I have no hesitation in appointing you provi- sionally, and in accordance with your own wishes, to take charge of the Consu- late at Nagasaki, until Mr. Morrison arrives to take possession of his post or such other arrangements can be made as the public interests may required ' Calculating upon that officer's arrival some time in July, it will' be my desire to arrange with the senior naval officer, so that one of Her Majesty's ships may be in port, ready at once to take you onboard for the purpose of conveyine you to your own post at Hakodadi, touching at Yedo en route, or otherwise as may at the time be judged expedient. ' I will take an opportunity before I leave to furnish you with some specific instructions for your guidance, and in the meantime I place you in charge, and inclose for circulation my Notification to that effect. Should anything arise calling for your action, on which you feel any doubt, you can at once refer to me as to the course to be taken. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 3 in No. 1. Mr. Alcock to Consul Hodgson, Sir, "Sampson" Nagasaki, June 16, 1859. I HAVE the honour to forward, for your information and guidance, the inclosed copies of official coi'respondence and documents having connection with the port under your charge, numbered from 1 to 5, to the contents of which I beg to call your particular attention. Nos. 1 and 2 will put you in possession of the instructions I have forwarded to Mr. Morrison, Her Majesty's Consul at Nagasaki, according to which you will hold yourself in readiness to deliver over charge whenever he may arrive. It is possible that the public service may require your removal to your own port at an earlier period, should Mr. Morrison's arrival be long deferred ; but in that case vou will receive further instructions from Yedo. In the interval that may elapse, and while you are officiating at Nagasaki, you will carefully observe the general spirit and tenour of the instructions already issued by Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on receiving your appointment, and those since conveyed both to you and Mr. Morrison in regard to the administration of affairs at this port by myself. In the interviews had with the several authorities while I have been here, you will have seen, no doubt, that many difficulties must be met whenever official action may be required, and that both circumspection and patience are essential conditions of success with a people new to our requii'ements, and suddenly called upon to act in circumstances full of doubt and difficulty to them, however clearly we may see both the means and the end. With good judgment on the part of the Consul in deciding what requisitions may be fitly made, and temper in meeting the obstacles which may be raised on the part of the Governor or subordinate officials, success, more or less prompt and complete, may fairly be anticipated as the ultimate fruit of firmness and tact combined ; and I am persuaded nothing good or satisfactory is to be attained by a contrary course. As regards the various matters already partially discussed with the Governor, as of more immediate and pressing interest, on which some decision was needful, I have only a few observations to make. Inclosure No. 3 is forwarded that you may have on record the terms on which the temple has been provisionally rented for the Consulate, namely, 39 dollars a-month ; from the date of occupation, and you are authorized to pay such rent three months in advance, at the request of the priests who have been dislodged and compelled to find other accommodation, as stated in the Governor's letter. ' Inclosures Nos. 4 and 5 have reference to thq subjects, all of some import- ance, which were discussed in your presence at my interview with the Governor of Nagasaki on the 14th instant. In reference to the site for a foreign settlement or location, upon which it was so essential something immediately available in the way of water-frontage should be obtained, the official communication of the Governor (No. 4) seems sufficiently to confirm the verbal assurances you heard me receive, that there should be no limits along the edge of the Bay, in the city, or 'outside, for the temporary location of foreigners, until something definite should be settled to enable them to take possession of available ground for a permanent foreign settlement. It will be your business to endeavour to keep the Governor to his promise, ind to faciUtate the obtaining of suitable ground or premises by all British subjects who can show legitimate claims to such accommodation, to be held and furned to use in the manner and on the tenure defined in my communication to the Governor. . , You will keep me informed of your progress, and at Yedo it will oe ray endeavour at an early date to obtain some satisfactory settlement ot the questions raised in regard to a site for the location of a foreign mercantile community. • i .1 ri + fn reference to the temporary arrangements made with the Lrovernor to secure you the services of two subordinate Japanese officials, and the permanent organization of a Consular establishment at this port, you will probably hnd it necessary to hire two Japanese fitted to perform the duties of official messengers, and to be your attendants on official visits to or from the authorities. If it be possible to obtain men who have picked up a httle Dutch or Enghsh, they may cost more ; but it is essential at the beginning that you should have a working estabhshment to perform the duties suddenly devolving upon you, and I sh^ll be prepared to sanction such reasonable expenditure under this head as you may ascertain and report to me to be needful. A porter and office coolie and European constable in addition will be required, and you are authorized to place such servants on the permanent establishment, duly reporting to me on what terms it has been found possible to secure their services. You have already applied for a boat ; and it is obviously necessary, where you are at present located, that one should be at your disposal. Whether it may be more economical and better for the public service that you should purchase a boat of European build, or one of the country, or finally only hire one of the latter, with either one or two boatmen, by the month, 1 leave to your discretion, upon such information as you may obtain. As soon as you have finally made your arrangements, you will report them to me, sending a statement in detail of the expenses incurred. As regards the arrangements to be entered into by the Japanese authorities and yourself for the opening of the port to British trade on the 1 st of July next, you have heard the Governor's Assurances that everything will be prepared : that a Custom-house will be organized ; the Treasury provided with Japanese coin ; and, finally, that the abolition of all monopolies not recognized by, or in accordance with, Treaties — monopolies of boats, coolies, provisions, &c. — shall be publicly notified, and otherwise put an end to. I am not so sanguine as to anticipate any immediate accomplishment of these promises ; but it will be necessary to keep the rights secured by Treaty steadily in view, and, by every means in your power, to endeavour to secure their full enjoyment, as well as to resist any deliberate evasion or infraction of the Regulations of Trade ; for which purpose it may be well to be prepared with a Dutch version of them, that you may at any moment quote the exact tenour of every clause. The promised abolition of the Chinese guild monopoly, and of all existing restrictions on the shipment of various seeds, is important. I trust you may find " it has been made in good faith ; but, under any circumstances, you will not lose ' sight of the fact that our Treaty recognizes neither the one nor the other, and tha,t the monopoly and the restrictions hitherto in force are alike opposed to the letter and the spirit. It only remains for me ta call your attention to the fact that, until the exchange of the ratifications of the Treaty, which I hope may take place before the end of the month, the Queen's Order in Council does not take effect, and, consequently, no British authority can exercise legal jurisdiction within the dominions of the Emperor of Japan. You will therefore be careful not to commit yourself to any legal'action, or exercise of judicial authority, until you hear from me that the ratifications have been exchanged. There is, however, much that may be done by Her Majesty's Consul, in a country like this, acting in concert with the native authorities, to maintain order and facilitate the transac- tion of business, without direct exercise of authority or legal action ; and for the short period likely to intervene, I do not anticipate any difficulty in your keeping within these limits, and yet exercising a very effective and salutary influence within your jurisdiction. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK, T Inclosure 4 in No. 1 . 'Notification. "Sampson," Bay of Nagasaki, June 13, 1859. THE Undersigned, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul-General in Japan, hereby notifies to all whom it may concern, that C. Pemberton Hodgson, Esq., Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Hakodadi, has this day been appointed, in the absence of Her Majesty's Consul of this port, to take charge provisionally and oificiate as Her Majesty's Consul at Nagasaki. All masters of British merchant- vessels, therefore, now in port, or subsequently arriving, will duly report their ships, and lodge their papers at the Consulate ; and British subjects at Nagasaki will address themselves to that ofiicer on all matters of official business as " Her Majesty's Consul officiating at Nagasaki." As the Treaty between Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and the Emperor of Japan, signed by the respective Plenipotentiaries on the 26th of August last, will come into operation on the 1st of July next, opening the ports of Nagasaki, Kanagawa, and Hakodadi, to British trade, under the provi- sions of the said Treaty, Her Majesty's Consul-General conceives it might be advantageous that the Regulations of Trade annexed to and forming a part of it. should be generally known before the day on which they come int6 force. A cbpv of the same is therefore attached for general information. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul-General in Japan. No. 2. Lgrd J. Russell to Mr. Alcock. Sir, Foreign Office, August 29, 1859. I HAVE received your despatch of the 16th of June, and I have to acquaint you that I entirely approve your proceedings at Nagasaki, and the steps which you have taken for the organization of Her Majesty's Consulate at that port. I am, &c. (Signed) J. RUSSELL. No. 3. Mr. Alcock to the Earl of Malmesbury. — (Received September 27.) My Lord, Yedo, July 9, 1859. I HAVE the honour to report my arrival in the Bay of Yedo on the 26th ultimo, in Her Majesty's steam-sloop " Sampson," having left Nagasaki on the 20th. Captain Hand, in compliance with my request, proceeded at once to the anchorage off the city, that no appearance of hesitation on our part might encourage the Government to raise objections to my taking up my residence in the capital. Aware that in the fi"aming of both the American Treaty and the British this Article had given rise to much discussion, and that the final assent of the Japanese Plenipotentiaries had been accompanied by the expression of a strong desire that Lord Elgin would endeavour to induce Her Majesty's Govern- ment not to send a Diplomatic Agent to reside in Yedo before 1861, alleging that a long preparation would be requisite to prepare the people for this innova- tion on their customs, I was naturally anxious, if possible, to anticipate, by my sudden arrival at my post, any objections they might be disposed to raise ; and I am happy to be able to report that in this object I entirely succeeded. The result thus gained is all the more satisfactory that I learn since, from the Minister of the United States, Mr. Harris, who arrived at Simoda about the same time as I reached this place, that efforts were made to induce him to defer his taking up his residence in the capital, on the alleged grounds of a previous assurance or understanding to that effect when he signed the Treaty. Very shortly after the " Sampson " had cast anchor, she was boarded by some officials ; and T forwarded to tlie Minister of Foreign Affau's an official communication, copy of which I inclose, announcing my arrival to take up my residence at my post, and that I was the bearer of the ratified Treaty, with tuli power to exchange the ratifications. On the day following I received the visit of the Governors ot J^oreign AfFau-s, who came not to object to, but congratulate me on, my arrival. I may mention that it had been officially communicated to me at Nagasaki that the foreign afltairs of the Empke had been placed in the hands of a Minister of Foreign Affairs and five Governors, with whom all business with the Representa- tives of foreign Powers would in future be transacted. It seems to be a Council for the management of foreign affairs ; the Minister at the head being also one of the highest members of the Council of State, and, as would appear to be it he invariable custom in Japan, he has his double in another Minister, who sits on all public occasions by his side, and takes part in the business. It was agreed at my interview with the Governors that immediate steps should be taken to find a temple where I could be provisionally lodged, giving me the option of taking, among others, that which had been occupied by Baron Gros. I specially indicated this, as I had been informed in Hong Kong it was both larger and better situated as 'regarded lae official quarter than the building chosen for Lord Elgin, and I was anxious, as far as I could, to guard against the chance of a place of residence being selected for the British Repre- sentative, which might, upon further knowledge, prove unfitting either in situation or character. Nothing, however, I am bound to say, could be more prompt, obliging, or seemingly straightforward than their action in this matter. The next day they sent me off" the plans of four temples, one being that previously occupied by Baron Gros ; and the Vice-Governor of Foreign Affairs also came on the part of the Minister to carry out the arrangements for the landing of any officer I might depute to proceed with guides to the several buildings and report upon their relative fitness. I intimated that I should probably land privately myself for the purpose of forming my own judgment. Accordingly, on the 29th, the day following, I landed at the hour appointed, accompanied by Captain Hand and Captain Vyse, and proceeded first to the temple occupied by Baron Gros as the nearest and, probably, the most eligible. A great crowd had assembled to see the foreigners land, and although we were in the norimons during our first passage through the streets we observed everywhere the same eagerness and curiosity. As on the occasion of Lord Elgin's visit nothing could exceed the good order maintained, and, indeed, the quiet and obedient demeanour of the people seemed to render all poUce arrangements comparatively easy. An officer preceded with a crozier-like staff of office, a few official runners followed with two men, one on each side, supplied from each ward of the city as we passed, and relieving each other. These carry iron staves having rings at the top, which give, by the jingling sound, warning to the crowd to make way, and this, with a blight cord drawn across the streets leading into the thoroughfare along which the line of march extended, was all that seemed needful to keep the way clear. The temple first visited, though well placed as regarded the official quarter of the city, being only a short distance outside, was otherwise but ill adapted for the accommodation of Europeans, and would have required much fitting up and time to do it in. I proceeded from thence to a temple near to the edge of the bay, far from the official quarter, but otherwise advantageous for communication with the ships, and pleasantly situated in the midst of grounds, well kept, and with abundant shade from trees. This was the one I selected, and it was arranged on the spot vi'hat work was required to make it habitable, two of the Governors of Foreign Affairs having taken the trouble to follow me there ; and as some days would be required for this, I stated my intention of proceeding at once to Kanagawa, with the view of establishing a Consular officer there, the next day being the 1st of July, the date fixed by Treaty for the opening of the port. The next morning I proceeded in Her Majesty's ship '' Sampson," and in an hour and a-half anchored in the Bay of Kanagawa— the town known by that name lying along the upper edge, and consisting mainly of a line of houses on each side of the great " tocado " or road, which leads to the capital, and forms a trunk line of communication with every part of the Empire. On the lower edge of the bay, at a distance of some three miles from Kanagawa, a new settlement, consisting of wood huts and streets of shops extending three-quarters of a mile, with a Custom-house or official timber-house of larger dimensions, appears to have been just created, or rather is still in the act of being improvised with numerous bands of workmen, all busily engaged. The approach is marked by two really imposing and beautifully constructed landing-places, with flights of well-laid granite steps of great extent. I mention these facts, as calculated to convey to your Lordship a correct impression of the determined and vigorous efforts made by the Japanese Govern- ment, and the large expense they have incurred before my arrival, with a view of locating foreigners on this spot, without choice or discussion on the part of the Consuls or Diplomatic Representatives, who by Treaty are, nevertheless, entitled to a deciding voice in the matter, , Not, however, to make this despatch too long, I will defer entering into further detail, and address your Lordship in a separate communication on this siibject ; as one likely to create much difficulty, and demanding serious consi- deration. After introducing Captain Vyse as the Consular officer provisionally put in charge at Kanagawa, and carefully examining the whole of the site on both sides of the bay, with the advantage of personal communication with Mr. Harris, who had just arrived from Simoda in the " Mississippi," on his way to Yedo, and had twice before discussed the location with the Japanese on the spot, I returned the following day; and on Wednesday, the 6th July, I left the "Sampson;" under a salute. The Consular flag was hoisted when I landed, and I finally took up my residence in the capital, with the rest of the Consular staff. On the 8th, by previous arrangement, I proceeded to the residence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, within the precincts of, but exterior to, the Tycoon's palace ; . and as it was a first and formal reception, I thought it advisable to go in state, accompanied by the officers of the Consular establishment on horseback and in uniform. Captain Hand, at his own wish, also accompanied me, and was presented. At this interview with the M'nister of Foreign Affairs and his double or second, I arranged that the exchange of the ratifications should take place on the 11th, and gave an outline of the order of proceeding. It was proposed by the Minister himself that the ceremony should take place at his official residence ; and as this aflforded the opportunity of a procession carrying the Treaty through the city, and thus attracting attention, and giving the greatest publicity to the act, I very willingly accepted the proposition, the better to enable me to give effect to your Lordship's instructions. Further details remained to be settled with the Governors of Foreign Affairs ; and after a courteous reception, with an interchange of congratulatory compliments on the inauguration of the first permanent Mission in Yedo, as the promise of future enlarged and friendly intercourse, I took my leave, and returned in the same order through the official quarter, and the portion of the city lying between, the Minister's residence and the temple of Tozenjee, the provisional Consulate-General, a distance of some four miles. The sun was too powerful to make a slow ride agreeable, but in all other respects the visit was of the, most satisfactory kind. The streets were lined with people throughout the commercial or non-official quarter, and all seemed well pleased and interested in the novel spectacle of a foreign Representative going in state to pay his first visit to the Tycoon's Ministers in the Imperial quarter. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure in N.o. 3. Mr. Alcoclc to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs. "Sampson," Bay of. Yedo, June , 1859. THE Undersigned, appointed to be Her Britannic Majesty's Consul-General in Japan, has the honour to make known to his Excellency the Minister for Foreign Affairs his arrival at Yedo, in Her Majesty's ship "Sampson," in order C 10 to exchange the ratification of a Treaty between Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of His Majesty the Tycoon of Japan, concluded and signed in the Enghsh and Japanese languages at Yedo, on the 26th day of August, 1858, by the respective Plenipotentiaries of then- said Majesties. The Undersigned accordingly requests his Excellency the Minister for Foreign Affairs to make the necessary arrangements for the reception and accom- modation of himself and the officers attached to the Consulate- General at Yedo ; and as the Undersigned is the bearer of the Treaty, with the Qaeen's ratification under the Great Seal, and further holds from his Sovereign full powers, autho- rizing him to exchange the said ratifications with such high officers as may be vested with similar powers and authority by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, and otherwise to adjust and conclude all matters necessary to carry into full effect the said Treaty, so soon as the ratifications shall be duly exchanged, the Undersigned begs that proper measures may be taken by his Excellency the Minister for Foreign Affairs for the attainment of these important objects at an early date. The Undersigned, &c. (Signed) ' RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. No. 4. Mr. Alcock to the Earl 6f Malmesbury. — {Received September 27.) My Lord, Yedo, July 13, 1859. IN continuation of my previous despatch of this date, referring to the subject of a site at Kanagswa for the location of the British, I have now the honour to report to your Lordship, in detail, the steps taken in this matter. I found, as already stated, a sort of improvised settlement for the occupation of foreigners and Japanese traders, consisting of long streets of wooden houses and shops, for the most part empty, and many yet in the bands of the workmen. The greatest bustle and activity reigned everywhere ; a few Japanese had just moved in, and were busily engaged unpacking their several wares of lacquer, porcelain, silks, fancy articles, birds, &c. The whole had evidently been created by the fiat of the Japanese Gavernment on a site selected by them, on the lower or southern side of the Bay of Kanagawa, an inlet from the larger Bay of Yedo, about three miles in width, opposite the town. This will be more clearly seen by the inclosed tracing' from the chart, with sites marked Nos. 1 and 2 on the Kanagawa side, as those some months ago indicated by the Minister of the United States as being the most eligible points for a foreign location, when the subject was under discussion with the Japanese authorities on two several occa- sions, and he was on the spot. This is tlie account I receive from Mr. Harris ; the Japanese, on the other hand, I understand to maintain that the site they have now prepared was selected in concert with the American Minister, on the condition of their undertaking the extensive works already nearly completed, including massive jetties of great extent, and three miles of road'to shorten the access to Kanagawa, which has necessitated several bridges. Mr. Donker Curtius, who was here subsequent to Mr. Harris, also told me in Nagasaki that the site had been selected, and the Japanese were actively engaged in pushing on the works ; and I certainly did not gather from him that' as the Dutch Commis- sioner, he had expressed to the Japanese any objection. I wish thus to convey to your Lordship in as few words as possible the exact position of afl'airs when I landed at Kanagawa, on the 1st of July, to instal a Consular officer, and put him in charge to superintend and carry out the necessary aiTangements for opening the port. In my interview with two of the Governors of Kanagawa and of Foreign Affairs, sent down expressly to meet me, I confined myself to the official act of presentnia: Captani Vyse as provisionally appointed to take charge and establish himself. They have smce contended that they understood me to make no obiection to the site, and that when Captain Vyse subsequently entered into communica tiou, and required in the terms of the Treaty that he should have facilities for 11 » taking up his residence in Kanagawa proper, that they placed two temples at his disposal. It will be seen by the inclosed report from Captain Vyse, that, on the contrary, they refused all such accommodation, or to entertain the question of a site anywhere else. ' Upon this report I deemed it unnecessary to continue any discussion with the local Governors, and the next morning returned to Yedo, and addressed the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the subject in the inclosed official communication. To this I received a reply to the effect already stated, which 1 answered by the letter forming Tnclosure No. 3. I have therein endeavoured to put the whole question of a choice of location on the fair ground of Treaty rights, and the obvious purport of the Articles referiing to the subject : first, that the town and port of Kanagawa designated the site of the town itself ; and next, that the place for a foreign location should be chosen and finally determined by mutual consent; both of which stipulations had been wholly disregarded. [ have thought it well in this matter to state very frankly the true grounds of objection to the site they have at so much expense, forethought, and labour, taken measures to impose upon the foreign Representatives as the sole alterna- tive. I have told them that the settlement they have prepared, and all the arrangements made, so far as these can be seen, far too cloSely resemble the Decima of Nagasaki, so long the opprobium of the Dutch Factory, to be accepted now, under the new relations established by recent Treaties. And such, in fact, is the strongest objection. In point of facility of access from the bay, with the aid of the fine jetties built, and depth of water, and the free and open space on shore, the advantage on the side of Yokuhama admits of no question. But this, and much more, would be too dearly purchased at the price of removal from the great lines of traffic, an isolation from the centre of population, and the enormous facilities the Japanese authorities would thus secure for cutting off the foreign and the Japanese traders from all free communication of trade ; fapilities all the more dangerous that they could be turned to profit without the means employed becoming ostensible.. If foreign merchants were compelled to accept this location, I do not think there is a hope that trade could be established at that which must be considered the port of Yedo. In this opinion I am borne out by the feehng of all who have been on the spot with a view to determine for themselves the chances of entering into profitable transactions with the .Japanese here. Among these are several merchants, British, American, and Dutch. It is the more unfortunate, therefore, that the Jaj^anese Government should have so far committed themselves to a line of policy it seems impossible for the Representatives of foreign Powers to endorse. The large expenses incurred have no doubt had this object in view— of making its final adoption inevitable. Yet, unless all our hopes of a free and mutually advantageous trade at one of the most promising of the three ports be abandoned, and foreign Powers are willing to sanction a precedent of the worst kind, wholly contrary to the spirit aiid tenour of their Treaties, some means must be found of modifying the disposition taken by the Japanese Government, which they can be induced to accept. It must be confessed, the position of both parties has been rendered very embarrassing. The real motive of the Japanese, I have no doubt, from wliat has reached me, added to my own means of observation, is, first, to conciliate a powerful party among the most influential "Damios" or feudal Princes, by removing the foreigners from the line of their route to the capital in their frequent progress, in great state, to and from the Court of the Tycoon ; and, secondly, to cany out, under specious pretexts, a pohcy which long habit has taueht them to consider most consistent with their own interest and dignity, however prejudicial or fatal, under both aspects, to foreign States. Taking all these conflicting circumstances into consideration, and the grave interests at stake, I am p repaired .to propose to the Japanese Government, with the full concurrence, I believe, of Mr. Harris, a middle course which may conci- liate in some degree the conflicting claims, while it will secure all that is most essential in the interest of foreign trade and intercourse. The Japanese autho- rities only put forward as a ground of preference to Yokuhama its superior eligibility in regard to open space and water-frontage. But if the foreign merchant perseveres in thinking his advantage as a trader would best be consulted by a right of leasing ground at Kanagawa, and unoccupied ground in that situa- tion can be found, there is no reason why he should be denied this privilege, C 2 12 which is one distinctly stipulated for by Treaty, and can only be denied by a kind of special pleading unworthy of a Government, and untenable in fact. If, on the other hand, the Japanese authorities should, with better knowledge of localities, have really chosen the site which gives preponderating advantages to the merchants, leave them the option of correcting their first opinions by expe- rience, and they and their trade will as naturally flow over to Fokuhama as a running stream will find its level, if not artificially stopped. The money so precipitately invested in an untried site will, in that case, not be lost by the Japanese Government ; and the foreign merchant will alone pay the penalty of any error of judgment in his tardy acceptance and the previous choice of a less favourable location. In the meantime, one of the two sites indicated in the plan, with plenty of open ground on each side of the road for present purposes, must be conceded for the location of the foreign Consuls, and any of these merchants who, at their own risk and cost, may choose to lease land and build thereon. And it will be equally open to the Japanese authorities to let the large storehouses built at Yokuhama to foreign merchants, if they see fit to store their goods ; or, what might be still better, the Government might convert them into bonded warehouses, and not only facilitate the first beginning of trade, but turn their empty warehouses to immediate profit. In this sense, it is my purpose to endeavour to find an issue out of the difficulties that surround the whole question ; and as I have informed the Minister (Inclosurc No. 4), I shall direct Captain Vyse, in a day or two, to take up his residence, and prepare the way for a satisfactory solution. I hope, at no distant period, it may be in my power to report such a result, and that tlie measures taken will meet your Lordship's approval. I have &c. (Signed) ' RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 1 in No. 4. List of Skips in Port at Kanagawa. English :— Steamer "Carthage," "Countess of Seafield." American : — " Wanderer." Dutch:— "Schiller," "Princess Charlotte," "Jacob and Anna." steamer "Attalanta." British Cortsulate'Oeneral, Yedo, July 14, 1859. Inclosure 2 in No. 4. Vice-Consul Vyse to Mr. Alcock. ^^^' " Sampson," Kanagawa, My 2, 1859. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 1st mstant, and, in compliance with your orders, report to you the result of an interview I have this day had with the Governor of this port, which I regret to say, has been attended with no favourable result, owing to the entii^ unwillino-- ness on the part of the Governor to acquiesce in my demand of beino- located and of gnang places of location to the British merchants, temporarily at Kanagawa mstead of Yokuhama. I conclude, therefore, it will be desirable that I should not take up my residence at this port, under the existing circumstances for the mament, but proceed with you to YeSo. =tcini.e!„ I have, &c. (Signed) F. HOWARD VYSE. 13 Inclosure 3 in No. 4. Mr. Alcock to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs. " Sampson," Bay of Yedo, July 3, 1859. THE Undersigned, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul- General in Japan, has the honour to inform his Excellency the Minister for Foreign Affairs that he lias returned to Yedo from Kanagawa. He has been unable to place a Consular officer there as he desired, from difficulties raised respecting his location and that of British merchants. A still greater obstacle to trade under the provisions of the Treaty exists, in the course- which has been adopted in the new coinage of half-itzebous,. No time should be lost in the satisfactory arrangement of botL these matters, and the 'Undersigned has therefore returned, without a moment's delay, to take up his residence, and begs his Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs will let him know by letter, in the course of to-day or to-morrow, when it will be convenient to his Excellency to receive him at his official residence. The Undersigned ha? to request his Excellency will further be pleased to acknowledge in writing the receipt- of the two official communications addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on his arrival at Yedo andr his departure three days ago .for Kanagawa. The Undersigned, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 4 in No. 4. Mr. Alcock to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs. Yedo, July 12, 1859. THE Undersigned, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul-General in Japan, has delayed answering the letters of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, dated respec- tively the 5th and 8th days of the 6th month of the 6th year of Ansei Nitzuzi (6th and 9th of July), both referring to the location of the British subjects at Kanagawa, until the more pressing business of the exchange of the ratifications had been concluded. This having been satisfactorily terminated yesterday with reciprocal declarations of the desire of both Governments to maintain inviolate the Treaty of Friendship in all its conditions, the Undersigned proceeds, relying with confidence in the good faith of his Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Government of His Imperial Majesty, to the question of the most fitting site for the residence of the Consul and the location of British subjects at Kanagawa. The Undersigned conr.iders nothing is to be gained by further discussing what took place between himself and the Governor of Kanagawa, and subse- quently between that officer and Captain Vyse. Now that the Undersigned knows from the Minister of Foreign Affairs the choice of two temples for temporary occupation at Kanagawa can be given, the difficulty previously existing, so far as the Consul's residence is concerned, has been removed. It is not enough, however,, to provide for the Consul; British merchants have also arrived, and the choice of a permanent place of location must be made with as little delay qis possible, in accordance with Article HI of the Treaty; and as this matte.r has been referred by the Acting Consul to the Consul-General, as one on which he could not agree with the local authorities, it is, in the terms of the Treaty, for his Excellency and the Undersigned to come to a decision. The Undersigned, when at Kanagawa, examined the site which has been prepared by the Japanese Government in anticipation of the opening of the port on the bay opposite to that town ; also two sites unoccupied tor the greater part by houses, and otherwise very eligible, in the town. To the site apparently selected by the Japanese Government alone, without any concert with foreign Consuls or Representatives, the Undersigned sees many grave objections. It may Ijave the one advantage alleged, of being more accessible at all times of the tide ; but its isolation and removal from the main line of communication with the capital, and the peculiar facilities the whole of the arrangements made, appear to secure for limiting the dealings of foreigners to such Japanese merchants and 14 traders alone as the Japanese Government may choose to license or permit to take up their residence there, are disadvantages of the most serious nature. All limitation to free intercourse, or isolation of foreigners from the population, is calculated to interfere with the development of trade and ^he unres nctea freedom expressly stipulated for in the Treaty so recently ratified. Whether such arrangements are made with the view of impeding intercourse or not, they are calculated to sow distrust and doubt in the minds of all concerned as to the intentions of the Japanese Government, and on that account, if for no other reason, are to be avoided. In a word, this settlement improvised by an act ot the Japanese authorities too much resembles, in all its, main features, , the humiliating position made for the Dutch at Decima 200 years ago, and the whole svstem of monopoly and restriction so persevermgly maintained there, to be accepted now, under present Treaties, by any foreign Power. The Under- signed considers that Her Majesty's Government are entitled, under the terms of the Treaty, according to the obvious intent of the words '' the ports and towns of Nagasaki, Kanagawa, &c.," to claim the choice of a location for British subjects at the place known and generally understood to be designated by the name of Kanagawa ; that is, the town situated along the edge of the bay on each side of the tocado or great route of communication with the capital. Whether the opposite side of the bay, which the Japanese Government have now built upon for foreigners, be more fitly called Yokuhama or Kanagawa, it certainly was not ,known as Kanagawa by the foreign negotiators. The site of the town was plainly that referred to in the Treaty, and if ultimately desired by foreign Representatives cannot be refused without a violation of its provisions. The Undersigned, for his part, submits to the Minister for Foreign Affairs the superior ehgibility of the two sites in the town of Kanagawa, which Captain Vyse will point out to the Governor on the spot. If a temple, in which Captain Vyse can be temporarily accommodated, be assigned, and the Governor of Kanagawa instructed to examine with the British Consul at Kanagawa the above specified sites and report thereon, the Minister can then take the whole matter into consideration. To this end, and to avoid loss of time, the Consul- General will direct the Acting Consul Vyse to return to Kanagawa in a few days, and take up his residence there for the management of affairs. The Undersigned, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. No. 5. Mf. Alcock to the Earl of Malmesbury .-^{Received September 27.) My Lord, Yedo, July 13, 1859. I SHOULD have been glad if the antipipations of Her Majesty's Govern- ment, that all could not be expected to go on smoothly at first in the novel position of affairs here, had been less fully realised. In my last despatch, dated the 12th instant, I brought under your Lordship's notice the difficulties which have arisen in the choice of a location at Kanagawa ; and I have now to refer to a still more serious impediment to the opening of trade, and the port at this place, in the measures taken by the Japanese Government in respect to their currency, to meet the conditions of the Treaty as set forth in Article X. While provision is made that all foreign coin shall pass current in Japan, and for corresponding weights in Japanese coin of the same description, gold for gold, and silver for silver, it is also stipulated that for the period of one year after the opening of the ports (in order to give time to the Japanese to learn the value of foreign coiris) " the Japanese Government will furnish British subjects with Japanese coin in exchange for theirs, equal weights being given, and no discount taken for recoinage," while Japanese coins of all descriptions, except copper, may be exported. The Japanese Government, in view of these stipulations, have issued a new silver coinage of large silver pieces, which they call half-itzebous, and two of which are equal to a dollar in weight. Previous to this, and when the Treaty was made, the silver currency consisted of itzebous, half-itzebous, and quarter- itzebousj three itzebous were equal in weight to a dollar, and the rest in 15 proportion. The immediate effect of this sudden change is obviously to diminish the purchasing power of the dollar two-thirds ; for, notwithstanding the letter of the Treaty appears to be observed, the altered denomination of the larger coin to a "half-itzebou" makes it worth no more than the original small coin of the same name, six of which went to the dollar. This is to raise the price of all Japanese produce on the foreigner 200 per cent. ; and if, as the Government assert, this sudden alteration in the currency is to take effect throughout the empire among the native population, either they must be prepared to call in this small silver currency at a loss of 200 per cent., issuing the large coin at their own cost in exchange for that in circulation, or inflict such a sacrifice upon every native as is scarcely conceivable, even in the most absolute Government, apart from the monetary derangement and confusion that must inevitably ensue. It seems more probable that this measure has really reference only to dealings with foreigners, and that the Japanese Government possess such abso- lute control as to be able to compel all their subjects who receive this new coin from foreigners to return it to the Treasury, and take back the original small half-itzebou ; in which case the Government would put into its Treasury the 200 per cent, lost by the foreigner in the depreciated value of his weight of silver. This seems a strange contrivance either for levying a, tax of 200 per cent, on foreign trade, or preserving their gold, which has hitherto borne a relative value of only 5 to I in Japan, instead of, in round numbers, 15 to 1, as in Europe. Certainly, if both these objects could be attained by the measures adopted, it would be the triumph of financial skill. But its effect on our trade is too fatal ; and the Treaty thus interpreted would remain a dead letter under its influence, if it applied to foreign dealings alone, and so pernicious in the general panic and confusion if carried out in all the monetary transactions of the empire, that something must of necessity be done, and without delay, to counteract such measures. It is not easy, however, to arrive at all the facts ; and still less so to devise a line of action on the part of foreign Diplomatic Agents and merchants respectively, which shall compel the Japanese Government to reconsider their policy, and modify or totally abrogate the measures already taken. I have not yet entered into discussion with tlie authorities on the subject ; and Mr. Harris, like myself, seems to had his hands too full on first arrival to do more than enter a protest against this change in the currency. He has expressed his willingness to concert measures of active cooperation with me ; but I doubt whether the demand simply for the withdrawal of the new coinage, whether its circulation be destined to be general or partial, will meet the difficulty that seems to underlie the whole question, viz., the discrepancy between the relative value of gold and silver in Japan and the foreign countries with which they are now to be. brought in contact. It would be impossible to deny the right which every other nation would undoubtedly claim of taking measures so to modify their currency, thus suddenly brought into cii'culatioii with foreign, coinage, as to keep a fair equiva- lent value between their gold and silver, and prevent either, by an inevitable tendency, being drained out of the country, and at a third of its intrinsic value. I am satisfied Her Majesty's Government would not be disposed to deny them this right of a Sovereign Power, however justly we may claim that, in the measures taken to this end, they should not be unnecessarily injurious to foreign interests, and still less framed with a design to levy a tax under pretext of establishing an equilibrium in the national currency. Now, the measures actually'adopted,- 1 confess, appear to me open to both these objections, whether they effect the more ostensible object or not; and on that ground we may reasonably and rightly insist on some change. A gold kobang is a coin weighing 123 grains, — fifteen grains heavier than a sovereign, but of less pure gold; and this, I am told, only represents but four silver itzebous, or an ounce and a third of silver. Intrinsically, the kobang, by assays made in London and Paris, is found to be worth from 17s. 6rf. to 18s. 6d!., there being some variation in the alloy between new and old coins. It is obvious enough, therefore, that at the rate of a dollar and third for a kobang, very few would remain in the country after the year in which free trade was established. And this in effect, though not so expressed, is the argument of the Chinese, as I understand it has been stated in writing in answer to the protest of the United States' Consul at Kanagawa. Tliey say, " Hitherto only a barter trade has existed with foreigners ; the coins were therefore only in circulation among Japanese, and their value was solely 16 determined by the stamp. They cannot, therefore, be exchanged according to relative weight ; because one dollar, which is regarded at the rate of fifteen taels, should in that case be taken in exchange for three silver itzebous, which have each that value : an absurdity," they add, "which must be quite clear without explanation." In ofher words, I apprehend, they would urge, " Plitherto among ourselves it has pleased us to adopt a standard different Irom yours for our gold and silver coinage, by which the silver in circulation has borne a purely fictitious value in relation to the gold. They have been used as silver tpkens, with a Government stamp fixing their value, and are utterly unfitted, therefore, to be exchanged for mere relative weights of silver in foreign coin, which have no such adventitious value attached to them. To meet this state of things, having in view the stipulations of Treaties, we have prepared a silver currency in harmony with European ; have made two coins equal to your dollar in weight and intrinsic value, and bearing in its title and stamp a circulating value corresponding to both, —the original half-itzebou, weighing only one-third, having a puVely conventional value in the Japanese market, and all similar coins, we withdraw from circulation altogether, as no longer fitted to the circumstances in which Japan is now placed." All I can say at present is, that, assuming this to represent sufficiently accurately the true bearing of the question of currency under discussion, it would appear to have been much easier, and far less productive of prejudice and derangement (if some violent and sudden adjustment of relative values was of necessity to take place), if the gold had been raised until the European propor- tion was secured, although how that, would have told upon pending contracts and debts could only be determined by knowing the laws of Japan as to what would constitute a legal tender. Altogether, it must be obvious the question is one of the most perplexing and compUcated kind, and it yet remains to be seen what action can be taken either by Mr. Harris or myself, the only foreign Representatives here. The initiative would rnore fittingly come from him, as holding higher rank, and being, in addition, an older resident; but he has hitherto seemed willing, if not desirous, to see, me move first; and it is very clear that both must come to some understanding with the Japanese Govern- ment at the earliest possible moment. The prices asked by the dealers when I was at Yokuhama, for their wares, plainly demonstrated the fact that the dollar changed into the two large half-itzebous only had the purchasing power of one of the small itzebous, three of which were habitually exchanged for a dollar. The whole matter, however, requires great deliberation ; and my first step in communication with the Japanese authorities must be to obtain from them precise information as to what their measures are, and the grounds on which they rest. I shall then, I hope, be better prepared, alone or in concert with the United States' Minister, to shape some definite course. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. No. G. Mr, Alcock to the Earl of Malmeshury. — {Received September 27.) My Lord, Yedo, July 14, 1859. I HAVE the satisfaction to report, for your Lordship's information, that the ratifications of the Treaty of Yedo were exchanged on the 11th instant, at the residence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and in his presence. The certificate of the Act signed by the Japanese Commissioner and mvself 1 have now the honour to forward (No. I). The Japanese version of the dedaration, as expressed in the Dutch, is not literal, and there is a slight variation in the sense but in nothing material. Inclosed also is a translation of the Commissioner's full power, which he produced at the opening of the ceremony. In arranging the order of proceeding, I had carefully in view your Lordship's instructions that the ceremony should be performed in such a manner as to impress the Japanese authorities and people with a due sense of the importance of the measure, as being the formal inauguration of peace and friendship between 17 the two countries. The selection of the Foreign Minister's residence iii the heart of the official quarter, and in the close vicinity of the Palace, afforded an opportunity I did not fail to turn to advantage, of giving the greatest eclat and publicity to the day's proceedings. It was arranged that the Treaty, under a canopy draped with flags and evergreens, should be carried in procession before me all through the city from the Consulate to the Minister's residence, surrounded by a guard of Artillery and Marines, and followed by fifty of the crew of Her Majesty's ship " Sampson." The officers of the Consulate-General, and Captain Hand, with the officers of the " Sampson," were all on horseback. The inclosed Memorandum will give the programme of the procession (No. 3). It was a bright July day; and the distance to be traversed, some four miles, through a populous quarter of the commercial city, and into the centre of the official enceinte, gave ample time for crowds to collect and discuss the meaning of so novel a scene in the capital of the Tycoon. I had some cause of anxiety at the last moment that opposition might be made, when too late to avoid one or other party beirig damaged by the result, to the entrance of an armed guard in the walled inclosures of the official quarter, and through the double line of gate- ways. A message only reached me to this effect an hour before starting; but I told the officer firmly that either the guard must pass with the Treaty, or the whole matter must be deferred, as it was too late to make any change in the dispositions taken and duly notified to the Minister by myself three days before : and before I would consent to start, I received assurance that no difficulty would occur. Nothing, in fact, occurred to mar the good effect of the whole line of march, and the ceremony from the beginning to the end. The sun was too powerful for one or two of the men, but their steadiness and good conduct were exemplary, and the whole population must, I think, have been favourably impressed with their appearance, and the imposing effect of the whole cortege. I observed all eyes were fixed upon the canopy under which the Treaty rested on its silk cushion, and evidently were eagerly drawing each other's atten- tion to it. Thus the existence of a Treaty with Great Britain, and the fact of its ratification under circumstances of great state and ceremony in the capital, has, I think, been very effectually proclaimed, and, as regards the population of the city, more certainly and generally made known, probably, than could have been secured by any Imperial Edict. I did not fail, however, to suggest to the Minister that it would be well, and in accordance with the steps already taken by Her Majesty, to promulgate the Treaty and Regulations of Trade for the general information of Japanese subjects, accompanied by an injunction to respect its provisions. I purpose writing to the same effect, and obtaining a definite reply ; in my interview he merely said that they had already had a similar measure in contemplation. To Captain Hand, of Her' Majesty's ship " Sdmpson," I was much indebted for the efficient co-operation he lent me in carrying out the wishes of Her Majesty's Government, and I have the honour to inclose copy of a letter I addressed to that officer thanking him, his officers, and men, for their exertions and assistance. Where the end is secured, and all has been terminated in a perfectly satisfactory manner, it is scarcely needful to take up your Lordship's time by adverting in detail to the difficulties which preceded the final act, or the interminable discussions, explanations, and misunderstandings about the prelimi- nary steps, which fully occupied me, sometimes to a late hour of the night, for the whole week preceding the 10th; the more harassing and provoking, perhaps, that there did not really seem to me the slightest reluctance from the beginning to exchange the ratifications. ' In truth, the two most important steps I had to take on my an-ival at Yedo — the securing my residence, and the exchange of the ratifications — ^were conceded to me at once, and without any trouble or negotiation; but the arrangement of the preliminaries for the last involved more trouble of a harassing kind than I should have thought possible. In fact, the moment we entered on the subject, I found several declared impossibilities in my way. First, the Tycoon's ratification had already been obtained, was attached to a copy of the Treaty only, and' it was impossible that any change could be made, or that the. ratification could be attached to the original copy in their possession. Hearing this, I' consented to receive back their original copy, and the copy bearing the Tycoon's seal and ratification in addition. Two days later it turned out that the Tycoon's seal was only attached to a single version, D 18 the Japanese, no other having been copied. This I declined deeisively to receive, stating that the Treaty to be ratified consisted of three versions, and not of one ; and to three, either the originals or a copy, the Tycoon's ratification must be attached. The first impossibility then disappeared, and I was promised the original Treaty with the ratification. And so on, through many incidents, which I mention rather as illustrations of character and habits than fi-om any importance attaching to them. The translation of the form of the Tycoon's ratification I have the honour to inclose. It is unmeaning compared with that of the Queen ; but the seal in effect, and the exchange, are, no doubt, abundant to give validity to the act. As I forward by this opportunity the certificate of the exchange of ratifica- tions, I have thought it better to defer to the next mail the despatch of the Treaty bearing the Tycoon's seal, to guard against any accident by which both might be lost. , I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 1 in No. 6. Certificate. THE Undersigned, Plenipotentiary of Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of His Majesty the Tycoon of Japan, having meet together for the purpose of exchanging the ratification of a Treaty between their said Majesties, concluded and signed in the EngUsb and Japanese languages, at Yedo, on the 26th day of August, 1858, corresponding with the Japanese date 1 8th day of the 7th month of the 5th year of Ansei Tsut Sinonye mma ; and the ratified copies of the said Treaty having been carefully compared and found to be exactly conformable to each other, both in the EngUsh, Dutch, and Japanese versions, the said exchange took place this day in the usual form. In witness whereof, the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the presei^t certificate of exchange in duplicate, and have afl5xed thereto their respective seals. Done at Yedo, the 11th day of July, 1859, corresponding with the Japanese date, the 12th day of the 6th month of Ansei Tsutsinoto Hitszi the 6th year. (L.S.) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 2 in No. 6. Japanese Commisioner's Full Poiver. (Dutch Translation.) DE Gevolmagtigde van den Taikoen van het Keizerryk Groot Japan en de Gevolmagtigde van de Koningin van Groot Brittannie en lerland, zynde byeenge- komen, om de bekachtiging uit te wisselen, van een Traktaat gesloten en geteekend, in de Japansche, Engelsche en Hollandsche talen, in de stad Jedo, den achttienden dag der zevende maand van het vyfde jaar van Ansei Tsutsinoye Mma, en het Traktaat, geratificeerd onder den naam en het cachet van den Taikoen en dat geratificeerd onder de handteekening van de Koningin vergeleken en overeenkomstig, bevonden zynde, zoo heeft de uitwisseling daarvan plaats in de stad Jedo genomen op de behoorlyke en plechtige wyze. Ten bewyze hiervan hebben de wederzydsche Gevolmagtigden het tegen- woordige schrift onderteekend in duplicaat en hunne wederzydsche cachetten daaraan gehecht. Den twaalfden dag der zesde maand van het zesde jaar van Ansei Tsutsinoye Hitszi. ^ (L.S.) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. [Here follows the Japanese.] 19 Midsno Tsikfgono Kami. AAN u wordt de volmagt verleend om de ratificatie van het Britsche Traktaat, by dezen, met Rutherford Alcock, Britschen Afgezant, uit te wisselen. De zesde maand van het zesde jaar van Ansei Hitszi, (Keizerlyk Cachet.) MORYIAMA TAKITSIRO. (Translation.) Midsno Tsikfgono Kami. BY these presents a full power is granted to you to exchange the ratification of the British Treaty with Rutherford Alcock, British Minister. The 6th month of the 6th year of Ansei Hitszi. (The Imperial Seal.) MORYIAMA TAKITSIRO,. Japanese Interpreter. Inclosure 3 in No. 6. Mefnorandum of Programme of the Procession of the Ratification of the Treaty of Yedo. Lieutenant R.M.A. Sixteen Koyal Marine Artillery. Two bearers with red and white ensigns, attended by four Midshipmen. Treaty, with four bearers, and guard of Royal Marines. Consul-General, attended by four subordinate officers. Captain Vyse. Captain Hand. Mr. Eusden. Lieutenant Gordon. Mr. Cowan. Mr. Ward. Mr. Gowan. Dr. Hastings. Mr. M'Donald. Mr. Johnson. Mr. Fletcher. Mr. Ridley. Mr. Rhind. Lieutenant Linklan, R.N. Mr. Farrell, Boatswain. Midshipman. Forty-eight Seamen, with small ^rms. Mr. Paget, Mate. Master-at-Arms. Inclosure 4 in No. 6. Mr. Alcock to Captain Hand. Sir, Yedo, July \2, 1859. THE exchange of the ratifications of the Treaty of Yedo having been happily effected yesterday, I hasten to convey to you my best thanks for the very satisfactory manner in which you enabled me to carry out the instructions of Her Majesty's Government, to take care that the ceremony should be per- formed in such a manner as to impress the Japanese authorities and people with a due sense of the importance of the measure, as being the formal inauguration of peace and friendship between the two countries. The programme agreed upon for carrying the ratified Treaty in procession through the city of Yedo to the Foreign Minister's house, situated in the precincts of the Tycoon's palace, and where until very lately no foreigner would have been permitted to approach, was calculated, not only to give the greatest publicity to the existence of a Treaty with Great Britain and its formal ratifica- tion, but to impress the importance of the day's proceedings upon the minds of the people. It must have done more than this, and furnished an unmiytakeable D 2 20 demonstration of the entirely new character of foreign relations with the Empire, on a footing of equaUty and mutual respect. I could not reasonably expect that ends in every way so important would be attained without difficulty. The pubhcity and unequivocal evidences of respect and honour, as fully due from the Japanese Government to a Treaty bearing Her Majesty's Ratification, which it was my object to secure, could scarcely fail to be more or less distasteful to the Imperial Government here. The march of a guard of honour and armed escort, not only through the main thoroughfares of the capital, but the more sacred precincts of the official quarter, within the double lines of the Tycoon's walled enceinte, more especially, was a measure they might have opposed from the first. It was only, however, at the last hour, as you know, that intimation was conveyed to me of a prohibition for a guard to enter through the gates of the official quarter. It was then too late to retrace our steps or modify the order of proceeding of which the Minister had received due notice three days before, and there was no alternative but to say so and persevere, or refuse to proceed at all, and enter into new arrangements. Fortunately, by this show of firmness, the opposition to the programme originally settled was withdrawn after an hour's anxious suspense, and everything passed off in the most orderly and amicable manner, to which the exertions of your officers and the excellent conduct of your men during the whole day, both in their hot and trying march through the city, and during the long halt at the Minister's residence, mainly contributed ; and I hope you will permit me through you to express nay best thanks to the officers and men taking part in the proces- sion, and to add that I shall not fail duly to report the circumstances to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. In closure 5 in No. 6. Japanese Ratification. (Translation.) THIS Treaty was concluded and signed at Yedo byMidsno Tsikfgono Kami, Negai Gembano Kami, Inouwye Sinanono Kami, Hon Oribeno Kami, and Isuda Hausabro, Plenipotentiaries on the part of the Empu-e of Japan, and by Elgm and Kincardine, Plenipotentiary on the part of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, on the 18th day of the 7th month of the 5th year of Ansei, and is exchanged at Yedo, by these presents, with that of Rutherford Alcock Minister and Consul-General of Her British Majesty. The 12th day of the 6th month of the 6th year of Ansei Tsutsinoto Hitszi (Signed) OTA BINGONO KAMI, MANABE SIMOOSANO KAMI, Councillors of State for Foreign Affairs of the the Empire of Japan. MINAMOTO. ;no. 7. Mr. Alcock to the Earl of Malmeshury. ^{Received September 27.) ^^^''^' , , , Yedo, July 14, m^. ^ IN order to convey to your Lordship a correct idea of our present position m Japan, I have the honour to inclose copy of a letter rpr-P^LST Mr. Hodgson since my departure from NagasSi/LapiSat nf^^^^^^ iTke thif " ""''"''' '"" ''^ °P^^^^ °^ ^ -^ P°'t in a 00^^ 21 The foreign location question there, is in suspense also ; but as the Governor is under a pledge (officially given in writing before I left) to provide accommodation along the whole face of the bay, provisionally, for the merchants, the evil is not of a very pressing nature. The temporary expedient adopted at Nagasaki for the solution of the currency questions is a great gain to them, and the non-arrival of the new coinage an undoubted advantage. The arrival of so large a number of British subjects looks promising for the ti'ade of the port, but many have only come, in all probability, to examine for themselves what are the chances of profit in commercial transactions. I have the honour also to forward a Return of the trade of Nagasaki, carried on between Japan and Shanghae, from the 1st of November, 1858, to the 23rd of May, 1859. It has been compiled from the printed Returns of the Shanghae Custom-house and Chamber of Commerce reports, and may afford some useful indication to merchants at home. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure I in No. 7. Consul Hodgson tO Mr. Alcock, Sir, Nagasaki, June 28, 1859. CONFIRMING my last despatch, dated June 22nd instant, I beg, only for the sake of keeping you at first informed of nearly all that passes in this new land, to say, that after receiving three more official visits, I declined myself receiving more, and insisted on written replies to my communications, since nothing came out of these tedious visits ; I even sent back one letter (the first) which was delivered to me open, without signature and without address. This, I am glad to saj', had the desired effect ; for I absolutely refused to do any business unless by corre- spondence or interview with the Governor. I have now received from his Excellency seven replies, categorically, to my letters, of which I annex a precis : — 1st. The ballast boats are not to be delayed beyond forty-eight hours. 2nd. Naval Depot : referred to Yedo, but a temporarj' place without difficulty given. 6th. The most important : " Making mention of the moneyless state of the Treasury, and proposing that little money should be exchanged, their despatch to Yedo remaining unanswered ; until that happens, they propose making known to the town and country merchants that they may receive payment, not only in foreign coin, but also in the paper money at present current." To this an answer was requested, l)ut as I am to see his Excellency to-morrow^ at 1 o'clock, to make some arrangements for the publicity of the opening of the Treaty on Friday, I propose to answer him then. The other letters were about tonnage dues, and some complaints against British subjects. I think, , therefore, that we have established our official correspondence. Since your departure thirty British subjects have arrived, the majority for purposes of trade ; I cannot, therefore, press too much the early transmission of the ratification by you of the Treaty. I know your anxiety on that point. My impression is, that all the British merchants are asking for much more frontage than they will ever require, and that they generally expect too prompt and impossible action, thinking only of themselves, and but Httle of a weak but patient Government. I have, however, submitted two complaints to his Excellency — British merchant and Japanese — requesting his kind mediation and no more. This despatch is only to keep you a httle up to our young beginnings. I llclVG &C* (Signed) ' c' PEMBERTON HODGSON. 22 Inclosure 2 in No. 7- Trade Return of Japan with Shanghae from November 1 , 185§, to May 23, 1859. Imports of Manufactured Goods. Grey shirting* . . . . . pieces Fancy cottons . . . .. do- Dyed cottons . . . . » do. Chintz . . . . . . . do. Printed cottons . . . . do. Handkerchiefs . . . . . do. Damasks .. .. .. do. Dimities .. .. .. do. Twills . , . . . . . do. Muslins . . . . . . do. Lastings . . . . . . do. White shirtings . . . . do. Drills . . . . . . . do. Ginghams . . . . . . do. Camlets , . . , . . do. Velvet . . . , . . . do. Velveteens . . , , , . do. Long ells do. Spanish stripes . . . . do. Cambrics .. .. .. do. Twills do. Woollen and cotton mixtures . do. Ships. Per Shanghae " Statement of Trade" of April 23, 1859, in 18 Vessels. 7,000 3,400 6,337 1,950 8,756 16,602 1,006 300 300 725 46 2,200 420 500 370 718 1,094 360 293 400 300 689 " Jacob and Anna." " Neva." Imports of Metals. Quicksilver Steel .. Iron wire Spelter . N. rod iron Bar iron Lead . . Tin .. Copper foil Gold thread Red lead White lead Yellow lead Tin foils Tin plates 350 180 550 1,985 150 Total. 7*000 3,400 6,687 1,950 9,485 18,587 1,156 200 300 725 46 2,200 420 500 370 718 1,094 360 293 400 300 689 picuts 67-63 do. 15-00 do. 33-00 do. 802-00 do. 84000 do. 513-00 pigs 704 piculs 25-00 do. 5-20 boxes 4 piculs 80-20 do. 2 00 do. 10-00 do. 4-60 boxes 634 2S Imports of Sundries. Alum .. Aniseed Assafcetida . . . . Buffaloes' and sheeps' horns Betel nut Betel husk Cassia buds Carpenting pieces Cloves . Cutch . . OardaiDums . . . . Cinnamon ,. Camphor native (Chinese) . Chestnuts . . . . Clamp shells China roots Dates, preserved , Qje stuff Gaony . • • • > Eggs, preserved . , ■ Fish-skins Glangal Gambler Gamboge . . . . Garro wood Ginseng Goats' hair GuiB iragw's blo9d Gum olibanum . . Gypsum Hartall . Indian ink Laka wood Leather-ware Liquorice Lucraban seed Mangrove bark Mats and mattings Medicines Myrrh . Jfutmegs Orange-peel Paper, Chinese ., Pencils, do. Pepper, black . , Prussian blue Putchuk Battans Red wood Rosewood Rhinoceros' horn . Rhubarb Sandal wopd Sapan wood « • Sheep skins Sticklac Sugar . Sugar candy Tortoise-shell Turmeric Vermilion Window glass Bees' wax Bicho de mar Brooms . Camphor Coal . . Dried fish Gall nuts Ginseng Isinglass Medicines JMushrooms Exports of Sundries. piculs 1,106-90 do. 196-78 do. 3-50 do. 14-03 do. 1,204-37 do. 39-37 do. 5-00 do. 2,69000 d(f. 666-37 do. 354-30 do. 31-92 do. n^ do. 2-80 do. 92-30 do. 14-30 do. 2-80 do. 54-00 do. 60-00 do. 350-00 pieces 1,600 piculs 53-70 do. 165-79 do. 30-00 do. 19-04 do. 4-66 do. 13-ao do. 34-00 do. 1-68 do. 86-f§ do. 720-00 do. 127-70 do. 6-00 do. 169-28 do. 13-00 pieces 183 piculs 798-88 do. 436-72 do. 922-00 packages mi piculs 2,12a-?? do. 2-50 do. 18-47 do. 3-60 do. 1-91 pieces 6,000 piculs 120-01 do. 7-20 do. ^ 63-96 bundles 1,639 piculs 1,020-38 do. 500-0 do. 2-45 do. 489-76 do. 93-00 do. 11,002-00 do. 55-00 pieces 4,272 piculs 90-00 do. 10,507-60 do. 1,0^3-50 do. 8-06 do. 81-48 do. 118-35 boxes 27-00 piculs 4-09 do. 375-90 pieces 1,000 piculs 97-03 do. 13,638-00 do. 1,028-50 do. 64-00 de. 587-52 do. 568-41 do. 58-00 do. 4-00 24 Rice . . Seaweed Sharks' fins Silk piece-goods Soy ., Vegetable oil Vermicelli Wax, Japan Wheat . Muslins Printed cottons Iron Iron wire Lead . . Tin plates Indigo . Sugar . Tortoise-shell ,. piculs 13,026-00 do. 8,690 00 .... do. 1,039-90 . . do. 6-28 packages (12,600 bottles) 350 . .. piculs 739-14 . . do. 433-60 do. 4,072-00 do. 728-0 actured Goods. pieces do. 200-00 900-00 Metals. piculs do. .. do. . . boxes 1,348-00 33-00 740-00 379-00 ?un dries. piculs do. cases 73 05 1,890-00 2 No. 8. Mr. Alcock to the Earl of Malmesbury. — {Received September 27.) My Lord, Yedo, July 14, 1859. AS 1 concluded my last despatch, later advices reached me from Nagasaki, by a private note from Mr. Hodgson, dated the 30th of June, referring to an official communication not yet received. I have also had private information by courier this morning of the state of affairs at Kainagawa up to yesterday evening, and from both these sources I am enabled to put your Lordship in possession of further particulars of some interest, and the latest intelligence from the two ports where operations have begun. From Mr. Hodgson I learn much that is cheering, and, upon the whole, satisfactory. After a protracted interview with the Governor of Nagasaki, the anchorage limits were settled, and arrangements for the custody of prisoners ; notification was immediately to be made, sanctioning the free use of foreign coins and Japanese paper money ; private entrepots, or " godowns," to be applied for and granted as bonded warehouses under two keys, one for the merchant and the other for the Custom-house; goods unsold on the 1st of July, although landed, to pay duties as per Treaty Tariff, and all goods may be landed at once, on one permit,. on the payment of duty. Mr. Hodgson further reports that great activity prevails ; and owing to the numerous demands for house and warehouse-room on the part of British merchants or subjects, the Governor had agreed to appoint an officer at once, with full powers, to meet the Dutch Commissioner, the Acting American Consul, and the British, to select a foreign location ; and if Mr. Hodgson should consider it unequal to the require- ments, he will refer the question to me, and in any case, the selection is to be ratified at Yedo by the Foreign Minister. The Dutch Commissioner and foreign Consuls at Nagasaki have agreed to forward, respectively, communications to Yedo — Mr. Hodgson, of course to me — requesting the restitution of duties on merchandise re-exported from Japan, for which no provision exists in the Treaty, and the Governor promises to support the apphcation. As regards Kanagawa, the information is of a more mingled character, sood and evil. Inclosed, I have the honour to forward a list of the foreign shippine; already nrrived and in port. The American and Dutch Consuls have houses at Kanagawa ; that for the American was indeed, as I knew, granted the dav after I took my departure, on the refusal of such accommodation and right of residence 25 to Captain Vyse ; and I think it by no means improbable that this decisive step on my part had something to do with their sudden change in this matter. The Dutch merchants have rented houses and stores at Yokuhama, the new Settlement, which rather confirms my impression that the Dutch Commis- sioner, Mr. Donker Curtius, when here, took no exception to the proposed site and arrangements. Although no act of the Representative of another Power would be bmdmg on me, if such were the fact, it would place the Japanese authorities in a better position to defend their acts. An American schooner has also discharged her cargo, whether at Yokuhama or'Kanagawa I have not heard. Mr. Keswick, a representative of the house of Jardine, Matheson, and Co., has seen fit, notwithstanding a notification warning British merchants of the danger of defeating efl:'orts made in their interest for a fitting location and a better understanding with the authorities on that and other subjects immediately connected with the opening of the port, to take a house in the Japanese Settlement. The passengers in the " Loch Lomond," which got on shore in entering the bay, having come up, were in some sense obliged to lodge them- selves where they could, and they are put up also in Yokuhama. These various independent courses followed by British, Dutch, and Ameri- cans, necessarily tend more or less to complicate affairs at the port. This partial adoption of the new Settlement, while calculated in one sense to promote the adoption of the hne I am about to propose to the Japanese, namelv, to concede the location at Kanagawa, which cannot be denied under the Treaty, and leave it open to the foreign merchants to live, or store their goods, at Yoku- hama, if they prefer it, may, on the other hand, encourage them to persevere in the determination already expressed, lo refuse all other location. They will naturally use the fact that British, Dutch, and American traders, in despite of the adverse view entertained by the British and American diplomatic agents, choose to go there, as an argument against any concession to the opinions of these as either groundless or without weight "with their own countrymen. And if such were the result of the independent action merchants in these countries are at all times so ready, for any temporary object, to adopt, regardless alike of more permanent and general interests, as well as the injunctions or policy of their own Government or its Representatives, it would be matter of serious regret. Even now I learn that the Japanese have issued orders prohibit- ing anything being bought or sold at Kanagawa, or anywhere but at Yokuhama, and for the new depreciated coinage, even to provisions. Such is the beginning ; it is easy to foretell what will be the end, if measures be not carried out to put our relations there on a totally different footing ; and it is too provoking that it should be the ill-advised proceedings of our own people which create the greatest obstacles. But if it be true in England that a law without a penalty is inoperative, it is ten times more so here ; since no one, so far as my Eastern experience extends, feels bound to respect anything connected with either law or authority, but the penalties attaching to their infringement. And this occupa- tion of an undesirable location, erected in contravention, if not in contempt of, Treaty provisions, and, to all appearance, for objects fatal to any healthy development of trade, or free intercourse, is precisely one of those undefined acts for which there is no legal penaltj'-, and a whole community, or nation, in their position or material interests, are made to suffer consequences which should fitly be limited to the individual authors of the mischief The course Affairs are taking at Kanagawa renders it urgent that sopiething more satisfactory should be obtained without delay, and no time shall be lost, therefore, in bringing the Japanese Government to a sense of the impossibility of maintaining their present position in respect to the trade and location of foreigners at the new port, I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. ' E 26 No. 9. Lord J. Russell to Mr. Aleock. gjj. Foreign Office, October 7, 1859. ' I HAVE received and read with the greatest interest your despatches to the 14th of July inclusive, descriptive of yoar proceedings since your arm&l in Japan, and I have to acquaint you that I entirely approve the vanous steps you have taken as reported in those despatches. The preparations made by the Japanese at Yokuhama, although contrary to Treaty, have been so well adapted for the accommodation of merchants that it is probable that the Japanese Government will succeed in their attempt to make that place the settlement for foreigners instead of Kanagawa ; and the house of Jardine, Matheson, and Co. have so established a reputation in the East that where they settle other merchants are likely to follow. Yet the American and Dutch Consuls have houses at Kanagawa, and the same privilege cannot be withheld from Captain Vyse. The compromise, therefore, which you state in your despatch of the 13th of July, that you propose to offer to the Japanese Government for the settlement of this question seems perfectly reasonable ; for the British Consul should reside where the Japanese authorities reside, where the great marts ar« established, and where, finally, we have a right to a site by Treaty: but if merchants, tempted by the easy access, abundant space, and extensive buildings, choose to go to Yokuhama, they may do so ; you can only warn them that they ought not to admit any right of the Japanese Government to confine them to that spot. I am, &c. (Signed) > J. RUSSELL. No. 10. • Lord J. Russell to Mr. Aleock. (Extract.) Foreign Office, October 17, 1859. BY Article III of the Treaty with Japan, " Nee-egata, or, if Nee-egata be found to be unsuitable aS a harbour, another convenient port on the west coast of Nipon, is to be opened to British subjects on the 1st of January, 1860." Her Majesty's Government do not, however, propose at once to set on foot a Consular establishment at that port. They would rcither desire to have in the first instance more experience of the extent to which the trade at the three ports now open is likely to be carried on, before incurring the expense of another Consulate. It may turn out also that no trade is carried op. at one of the three ports sufficient to justify the maintenance of a Consular establishment, which in that case might be transferred to Nee-egata, or some other more promising locality. All, therefore, that Her Majesty's Government desire that you should do, when the time arrives for opening the new port, is that you should obtain a recognition of the right of British subjects to repair to it, reserving for the future decision of Her Majesty's Government the time at which a Consulate should be established there. i Should, however, circumstances, which cannot be foreseen, induce you to think it desirable at once to estabhsh a footing at Nee-egata, or some other port, as provided by the Treaty, you will be at liberty to make such arrangements as you may deem expedient for that purpose. No. 11. Mr. Aleock to the Earl of Malmesbury . — {Received October 30.) (Extract.) Yedo, July 28, 1859. I CAN only by this opportunity send a few hnes, briefly to inform your Lordship of the progress of afiairs, or rather of their aspect ; for, since my last 27 despatches, little ostensible progress has been made, and the receipt, two days ago, of news from China, telling of our repulse and losses at the Peiho, is not likely to facilitate matters. With distrust and dislike in high places, it cannot well be otherwise ; and the difficulties which I encounter, in common with nay cblieague the Minister of the United States, in obtaining a fair interpretation of Treaty stipulations, are precisely such as my past experience had led me to anticipate when I received my appointment. Their present relations with foreign States have been imposed upon the Japanese rulers by circumstances which a party no longer in office had the good judgment, probably, to perceive, were becoming irresistible and menacing ; while the great body of Darnios, or feudal Princes, whose nominees are now in power as Ministers, continue blind and hostile. The signing of the Treaty concluded by Mr. Harris was the signal for great political commotion and the disgrace of all concerned in the negotiation, even down to the subordinates. The lives of the chief Ministers were for some time in danger, so violent was the feehng excited among the majority of those who are the real depositaries of power at the present moment in Japan, the grfeat hereditary Princes of the Empire, whose nominee the Tycoon himself is, in effect. The prompt dismissal of the Ministers who were in office when ' the Treaty with America was executed, and the nomination of those who have since continued in power was a retrograde act, intended by the Damios to put a check to any further concession. Circumstances, however, were too strong for them, and these same Ministers, representing all the hostile and antagonistic tendencies of their party, found themselves under the cruel necessity of signing in rapid succession Treaties with most of the great Powers in Europe, each more liberal than its predecessor. All that remained for the party to effect after passing through these succes- sive stages of humiliation, was obviously to render, if possible, the Treaties thus executed against their political convictions of non-effect in their working. It is the business of foreign Ministers and Representatives here, of course, to secure the opposite result, and between these two contending forces and courses of action lies the way we must perforce travel for a space. In the grave questions of currency and the Kanagawa location, I was disposed to consider the Ministers had virtually given way and conceded the great points at issue, while ostensibly maintaining the principle on which they started, since they consented to restore the old rates and currency ad interim, and to send officers to examine with the foreign Consuls the sites in Kanagawa. It remains to be seen whether any changes of an adverse kind still further retarding a satisfactory solution will be produced by the recent news from China. That it will have some influence of no very favourable kind, is tolerably certain; and to anticipate, as far as possible, the first consequences, I have written to inform the Mmisters that the ships of England and France convoying the Envoys had been fired upon, and lives lost ; remarking that an outrage of this character must inevitably entail the most serious consequences, and signal retribution upon the Chinese Government. In the midst of all these difficulties, inherent and adventitious, I still hope that, with firmness and patience, the obstacles to any free development of trade will, in the end, be removed, and in the meantime admit of gradual but sure progress in a right direction. No. 12. Mr. Alcock to the Earl of Malmeshury. — {Received October 30.) (Extract.) Yedo, August 10, 1859. 1 HAVE the honour to inclose copy of the provisional appointment issued to Mr. Vice-Consul Vyse, directing him to officiate as Acting Consul at Kanagawa ; and also to Mr, Eusden, appointing him, ad interim, to act as Vice- Consul here. The general grounds upon which I deemed it expedient Captain Vyse should hold the rank of Consul are, that the Representative of the interests of Great Britain at that port might not find himself in a less favourable position for action than that made for the merchant Consuls of the United States and Holland, who were his colleagues. The nomination of Mr. Eusden had reference chiefly to the necessity of E 2 some : 28 „ intercourse with the Governors of Foreign Affairs and Viee^Governors (all mere delegates and subordinates of the Minister, who can decide nothing), and with whom, I beheve, it is important I should have few or no direct personal relations. Their subordinate position, and want of all power, would simply lead to endless discussions, advancing nothing, on every matter great or small ; and besides great waste of time and patience, be otherwise compromismg to my position with the Foreign Ministers, who would at once profit by the cn-cum- stance to refer all business to these secondary agents, and in the end seek to make themselves inaccessible. As I have already stated to your Lordship, in my despatch of the 28th ultimo, nothing could be more fatal to the influence, position, and power of the British Agent here to effect any useful end, than his being handed over_ to subordinates for the transaction of the business of the Mission. My conviction of the truth and correctness of this view is borne out by years of unvarying experience among a kindred race of officials. On my first arrival in China, I had, at Foo-chow, precisely the same battle to fight with the high provincial authorities of the capital of Fokien ; and presuming, then, somewhat upon the usage and custom of Europe in relations with the Barbary States and others of the Levant, I claimed, and in the end established, a right of access to, and direct intercourse with, the highest authorities of the place, whoever they might be, as essential to the maintenance of good relations and the effective management of international affairs. It met with a good deal of resistance, and for a time, after my departure, the privilege or position was more than once lost, but always with such manifest injury to our interests that it had to be recovered again. I have not hesitated, therefore, pending the time that must elapse before your Lordship can receive and answer my despatch of the 28th ultimo, touching on this subject and the expediency of change, to take a step not originally contemplated. Moved by the critical nature and the importance of the affairs to be decided in the interim ; and, further, strongly urged by Mr. Han-is, the" American Minister (drawing arguments from his personal experience of the Japanese"), to follow a course he had been himself compelled to adopt when previously in this country in similar circumstances, as Consul-General, with a full power to negotiate as Plenipotentiary, I have adopted, in my official correspondence with the Ministers, the title of " Plenipotentiary and Consul-General," the former given by the full power, a translation of which was delivered before the exchange of ratifications. And I have claimed, under such title and power, a right which certainly does not attach to the rank of Consul-General, according to international law and usage in Europe ; namely, in all matters of sufficient importance to require discussion and deliberation with the authorities, that of direct intercourse with the Foreign Ministers, either by interview or writing, as might be found necessary. So far, no serious effort has been renewed to dispute the position since the first intima- tion I received that the Governors, and not the Ministers, were the proper functionaries for the transaction of foreign business ; and it would be difficult now for them to go back and raise the question, as far as correspondence, at least, is concerned. I shall be very sorry if this course should not meet with the approval of Her Majesty's Government. I have been careful, as your Lordship will see, to guard, in the case of the provisional appointments to Captain Vyse and Mr. Eusden, against any claim for increased salary or allowances arising, until the pleasure of Her Majesty's Government shall be known. And, as regards myself, I have claimed only my retirement ; that Her Majesty's Government may make for another, who may possess their confidence, the position I believe essential for the advancement and protection of the interests at stake. But in this interval, founding no claims upon it, either for myself or the two officers whose titles have been also provisionally modified, I have felt too strongly on the spot, the critical nature of our first relations with Japan, and the great import- ance of taking a position which may enable the British Agent to make head against the hostile elements in full action and keep them in check— thus prevent- ing new complications arising, or positive collision, otherwise inevitable I conceive, sooner or later -to consider I had any alternative short of sacrificing or, at all events, permitting the sacrifice of, our best interests to take place while these were committed to my hands. And your Lordship will not judge me too severely, if at the end of a long and trying service in these climes, I preferred to this, regarded as a certainty, the contingent liability of incurring an official 29 disapproval of that particular course of action which, so far as my own judgment goes, is the only one open to a servant whose first desire and duty sljould be to secure the public ends which Her Majesty's Government contemplated, in sending a Mission to this country. It may be, as regards the port of Kanagawa, that your Lordship was led to consider it was in sufficiently close proximity to Yedo to allow the business of the port to be transacted here, and by the Consulate-General. This, however, is wholly impossible. Although the distance by land is only seventeen miles, it is a day's work to get a courier there and back; and as will be seen by the coiTesporidence with the Ministers on passports, the impediments and difficulties put in the way of any traffic or travelling, even of the foreign functionaries, along the road, have been such as to require the strongest remonstrances both from the American Minister and myself, and are only now being very partially and ungra- ciously removed, so far as to allow occasional j)ersonal intercommunication. By sea a boat is more than a day, and sometimes two, in making the passage. There is an absolute necessity, therefore, for a permanent Consular establishment at Kanagawa ; and in view of this T have engaged the services of Mr. Blackman, the gentleman already refen-ed to as Dutch interpreter there, provisionally at 100 dollars per mensem. If he answers the recommendations, I have reason to hope he will be an acquisition ; and, if otherwise, or your Lordship should see fit to make other appointments, his temporary employment need have no further effect than the payment of so many months' salary on a very moderate scale, which I trust your Lordship will be pleased to authorize. While on the subject of Consular establishments, I may take this opportu- nity of stating that Mr. Morrison has reported his arrival at Nagasaki on the 8th instant; and that as soon as Her Majesty's ship " Highflyer " arrives at that poi-t from Shanghae (announced to me by the Admiral as taking the place of Hei; Majesty's ship "Sampson," and daily expected), Mr. Hodgson and his family will take their departure for Hakodadi, touching here on the way up, to enable me to have some personal communication with that officer, and also to show the presence of a man-of-war in the bay, however transiently, in passage. Neither outward menace nor intimidation, perhaps, are the instruments with which we can work here to any good end ; but the unobtrusive appearance of a British man-of-war in the bay from time to time, in the ordinary routine of a service of protection and watchfulness, cannot fail to have a beneficial influence on the parties in the State least amenable to reason, and most prone to push themselves or others into positions of peril. Inclosure 1 in No. 12. Mr. Alcock to Acting Consul Vyse. Sir, Yedo, July 17. 1859. ADVERTING to my despatch of the 1st instant, I have now the honour to request you will proceed to-morrow in Her Majesty's ship " Sampson " to Kanagawa, where, the authorities here tell me, a temple has been prepared for your accommodation, and take charge of the Consulate. Inclosed are copies of two Notifications bearing my signature, which you will be good enough to circulate among the British subjects within your juris- diction. The first announces the ratifications of the Treaty having been exchanged, and the second, your appointment as Acting Consul until further notice. I h^ve given you provisionally the rank of Consul, finding that such was the position which had been made for the American and the Dutch Consular officers, both merchants, with whom you may have to co-operate. But you will distinctly understand it is merely a provisional appointment, giving neither claim to increase of salary nor permanency, and made solely with the view of temporarily providing for the necessary Consular superintendence at the port, until I can be informed of the intentions of Her Majesty's Governmeht as to the permanent establishment. I have attached to you temporarily, as interpreter, Mr. Cowan, and hope to make arrangements, on his proceeding to his post at Hakodadi, for obtaining the services of a gentleman now at Nagasaki. I have also attached to the Consulate, in the office of constable, Cullan, whom you will swear in and pay 30 at the rate of 40 dollars per mensem, dating from the 1st July. You will be good enough, as soon as you can ascertain the requirements of the public service, to report what further establishment maybe necessary ta enable you to discharge. ^'ie duties of your office, and I will tajce it into consideration. What expense may be absolutely necessary to make the building fit for your immediate location, and also such office furniture as may be needful, with a due regard to economy, you are authorized to incur, and charge in your account if supported by proper vouchers. You will take up your residence in Kanagawa, and hoist the Consular flag, that your office may be distinguished. I am anxious also that you should use your best exertions to obtain the house-accommodation in that place for any Britif-h subjects applying, to which they arfe by Treaty entitled. It may also be necessary to take care that the Japanese officials do not interfere, in any overt or ostensible way at least, with your own riglit, and that of every other British subject, .to purchase provisions or other articles at Kanagawa, and without rest)iction as to persons. In the event of direct interference you will send in a written protest to the Governor of Kanagawa, and if he does not give you redress, and put an end to such proceedings, you will immediately report the circumstance to me. 1 have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 2 in No. 12. Mr. Alcock to Mr. Eusden. Sir, Yedo, July 22, 1859. HAVING found it necessary to dispatch Captain Vyse, the Vice- Consul attached to Yedo, to take charge of the port of Kanagawa, now open to foreign trade, and deeming it desirable that some officer here should perform the functions of Vice-Consul, I have the honour to appoint you Acting Vice-Consul at this place, provisionally, and from this date. As all the arrangements for the Consular establishment in this country are not yet completed, and what these may ultimately be, remains in some degree undetermined, you will distinctly understand this appointment is not only provisional, and may at any moment be superseded by instructions from the Foreign Office, or other circumstances, but does not of necessity carry with it any addition to your salary as Interpreter, under the existing general regulations. This will remain for the decision of Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to whom I shall duly report the provisional appointments made to meet the requirements of the public service. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 3 in No. 12, Mr. Alcock to the Japanese Ministers for Foreign Affairs. Yedo, August 2, 1859. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of the letter your Excellencies addressed to me on the 26th ultnno, respecting Mr. Cowan's travellino- between Kanagawa (where he is provisionally placed to act as Interpreter to Her Majesty's Acting Consul, Captain Vyse) and Yedo ; and I have now the honour to send the following reply. Your Excellencies appear to complain of Mr. Cowan's journey between the two places as contrary to Treaty, and inform me that it is granted to no one but to the Diplomatic Agent and Consul-General to travel in Japan But I think it must be evident, upon further consideration, that the stipulations of the Treatv cannot be held to preclude free communication between the British Diolomatip Agent resident at Yedo, and the several Consuls and officers placed under hk orders in Japan ; because this is a matter of necessity plainly attaching to the r 31 relatioiis. Such an interpretation of the Article to which your Excellencies refer is clearly untenable ; not only because contrary to all international law and usage in civilized countries, but as rendering it impossible for the head of the British Mission to carry on the service which properly belongs to his office, or exercise the control and supervision essential to the right performance of his duty in the interest of both countries. 1 have only to state, therefore, in conclusion, that, while the Article of the Treaty confines to the head cf the Diplomatic Mission the right to travel throughout the empire without limitation, it leaves untouched the privilege of the British Representative at Yedo to issue passports and keep up free and unrestricted communication with all the Consular ports, by letter or messenger, by traveUing himself between the ports, or by calling for the attendance at his own place of residence of any officer under his orders. In the comity of civilized nations no right has ever been more clearly recognized, or more invariably and jealously guarded. 1 cannot, therefore, permit this right to be called in question in Japan, or any impediment to be thrown in the way of direct and personal intercourse with all Consular officers of Her Majesty wherever they may be resident. But I have no objection, as a matter of courtesy, if it will be more acceptable to your Excel- lencies, to make use of a passport issued by you, and placed in my hands, to be used as occasion may require by any one under my orders here, or at Kanagawa, to secure them at all times free passage between that place and Yedo. But in that case it will be necessary that one should be permanently lodged with me here, to be used at any moment, without further reference, and another with the Consul at Kanagawa. As my only wish is to secure uninterrupted and unrestricted communication with those who must act under my instructions in everything, if it will be agreeable to your Excellencies that this plan should be adopted, it can be so arranged. But if otherwise, I must unavoidably exercise the right attaching to my mission in Japan, and issue myself the passports that may be required to all erpployed by me, which your Excellencies will, I am sure, after tjiis statement, see the necessity of causing all Japanese authorities to respect, in ^iccordance with the undoubted usage and law of nations, and equally so with the obvious intent and spirit of the Treaty. I have also to request that strict orders may be ^ven when I send a courier with despatches to the Consul at Kanagawa, that he should not be delayed or turned out of his dii'ect course to the Governor, or other official's residence ; but allowed, without interruption, to proceed at once to the Consulate, and deliver his despatches. ' I beg, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. ' No. 13. Mr. AlcoGk to the Earl of Malmesbury. — {Received October 30.) My Lord, Yedo, August 11, 1859. REFERRING to my despatches of the 14th and 28th instant respectively, on the progress of affairs in Japan, I have now the honour to bring under your Lordship's notice an official communication from Mr. Hodgson, officiating Consul at Nagasaki, of the 12th ultimo, with an extract from certain notes in the form of a journal of daily proceedings ; circular of the Governor of Nagasaki on the currency ; a circular protest ; and the minute of a meeting held by the British merchants on the monetary state of affairs. In connection with this subject of the currency, and the difficulties expe- rienced iri obtaining a fit site for the location of foreign merchants, which Captain Vyse, at Kanagawa, as Mr. Hodgson, at Nagasaki, report upon, each in a single despatch, I also have the honour to inclose copy of Captain Vyse's official communication, with its inclosure from Mr. Cowan, his Interpreter, detaiUng the result of some inquiries into specific cases of impediment, either to the exchange of dollars for itzebous at the Treasury ,^ or the employment of the fdrmer in trade. 32 By these several communications and documents your Lordship will see the serious nature of the evils created by the acts of the Japanese Government, contrary to the letter and spirit of the Treaty, and fatal to all attempts to open trade, or establish a mercantile community at either port. To these several causes of anxiety and grave embarrassment at the ports, I am sorry to have to add another, and if possible more serious, ground of complaint, "from continued outrages offered to the members of both the American and British Missions whenever any one leaves either of their official residences and passes into the streets. To be hustled and pelted with stones is a daily occurrence ; and latterly, every form of outrage has been resorted to with perfect impunity. Some short time back Mr, Heuskin, the Acting Secretary to the American Legation, while quietly walking his horse through the city, and speaking to his groom, was assaulted by one of three officers, and received a violent blow across the body from an umbrella. The two companions of the assailant helped him to make his escape into a house. A few days later the same gentleman, riding again near the centre of the city, in company with the Dutch (Consul, M. de Graaf, was assailed with stones, not by a few idle boys or individuals, but a mob in open day, and with such persistent violence that they were obliged to retreat. What made this outiitge more unpardonable and significant was the fact that it was in the heart of the city in open day, and in the presence of two officers or ward-constables, ostensibly accompanying the strangers, who kept on in front, and ignored the whole proceeding. A night or two later Mr. Gower and Mr. Macdonald were in the great "tocado," or road, leading along the edge of the gate, enjoying the breeze and bright moonlight not 300 yards from this residence, when they were hustled in the most offensive manner by an officer, who half drew his sword and menaced them with further violence. Immediately it was reported by these gentlemen, who very properly returned at once, I sent tv.o of the officers attached to the Consulate here by the Japanese Government, to endeavour to apprehend the offender ; but they went with so little goodwill as to assure me they would do nothing, and of course returned as they went. Taking all these circumstances into consideration, together with the avowed desire and the efforts made by the Government to prevent all passage on the main road between Kauagawa and- this place, even by the officers attached to the JVJissions and the Consulates, which will be found further detailed in anotl er despatch, it became quite evident to me, as to Mr. Harris, the American Minister, that only one inference could be drawn ; either the Japanese Govern- ment tolerated, if they did not excite, these disorders, as part of a policy to impede and prevent the final establishment of permanent Missions here, and trade so near the capital, or they allowed the hostile party among the Damios resident in the capital to dictate measures of obstruction, and to set their retainers at work to the same end, by insulting the few members of the onlv two Missions yet established here, and rousing the population to violence and disorder. I say it was difficult to arrive at any other conclusion upon a calm review of all the facts, and, notably, the persistence and increasing bad character of these attacks upon inoffensive strangers offering no sort of provocation, in one of the best-ordered and best-policed cities in the world perhaps almost under the walls of the Tycoon's castle. The Go\ernment were e'ither in complicity with the assailants, because they wished the end to which such violations of Treaty and continued outrages inevitably lead, despite the compli- cations of a political character they were calculated to bring about ; or thev were powerless, in the hands of a dominant party in the State, to prevent such "a policy being carried out to the last result. Jn any case, it was becoming- daily more clear that unless means were found promptly and effectively to ^induce some change in the system pursued by the Japanese Ministers in their official acts on the one hand, and the retainers of the Damios, backed by the population on the other, or the position of the foreign Representatives in Yedo would soon become wholly untenable, and the place be made too hot to hold them After due deliberation, therefore, and in perfect accord with mv only colleague, the American Minister, I determined on forwarding the official commu nicalion to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, copy of which I inclose I have trespassed upon your Lordship's time by a recapitulation as brief as I could well make it, of all the leading circumstances in explanation of the strong and uncompromising tone of the whole despatch ; and that it may be 33 understood upon what grounds this, and no other, was deemed fitting or adequate -to the gravity and, I may add, to the urgency of the circumstances. Mr. Harris informs me that a similar communication, reviewing ovir present position, as the Japanese Government have made it, and protesting against the continuance of a similar system, will also be at once received from him- They will, no doubt, see in this unanimity of opinion and action something of menace and danger, if no steps are taken to redress the grievances thus formally brought under theu' notice, and I am not without hope that improvement will shortly follow. I am clear that some energetic demonstration was imperatively red[uired to avert the evils with which we are threatened, and to put an end to a state of things fast tending to anarchy, and utterly destructive of all sense of security, or trading relations. I believe nothing could be more provocative of further injury than a display of conciliatory sentiments which, under such circumstances, would be misplaced, or any show of timidity and acquiescence in a course of outrage with persistent disregard of Treaty stipulations. Nothing could, indeed, be more deplorable, I am well aware, or is more anxiously to be avoided, than a new complication in these distant regions, at such a moment as this, with all Europe either actively engaged in, or anticipating, hostilities. It is in this conviction I have taken the step which I believe the best calculated, either wholly to avert, or at least indefinitely defer so untoward a result, by declaring to the Japanese Government that a systematic course of violence, and open disregard of Treaties, cannot be persevered in with safety, whatever may be the desire for, or the interest of Great Britain in, the maintenance of peace and commerce, here or elsewhere. I tfust before the mail is closed, to be enabled to transmit the translations of the last oflScial communications received from the Ministers of Foreign Affairs on the three subjects, of the currency, the location at Kanagawa, and the delivery of passports, as often as may be required, for those officially attached to the Legations here, or the Consular establishments at Kanagawa. In each of these vexed questions, which have been under discussion ever since my arrival, your Lordship will then see with satisfaction, as confirmatory of my impression, that the Government is not prepared to push matters to extremity, since it has at last given up untenable grounds, hitherto perseveringly maintained, in spite of all remonstrance and argument. I trust, therefore, in a very short period, these first and serious obstacles to our progress will be altogether removed. In which case, one can only conclude, that although indisposed to drive things to a dead lock, they are quite ready to try the mettle and calibre of foreign Representa- tives, and to ascertain how far it may be safe to go, in the direction which would be most accordant with their feelings, and, it may be, their political convictions, as to the impolicy of the foreign relations into which they have drifted much against their will, contrary to the traditions and practice of two centuries, and certaihly in opposition to the feeUngs of a large and dominant party among the hereditary Nobles and Princes. If I have any fear or lAisgiving, it is precisely in regard to this political condition. Whether there may be in the Great Council of Damios a sufficient element of resistance among the more moderate and enlightened of their number, to keep under restraint and some degree of control the more hostile and violent of the number, is the question. But if our security and trade be dependent on the result of any internal struggle of this kind for the predominance of more moderate counsels, as I think more than probable, it seems no less clear to me that the hands of the party most favourably or peaceably inclined, will only be strengthened by the firm and unhesitating character of the representations thus simultaneously presented by the Repre- sentatives of two of the Great Western Powers. I can only trust that your Lordship may concur in this view, and that in the very arduous and difficult position to be maintained, I may be fortunate enough, in the course adopted^ to obtain the approval of Her Majesty's Government. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 34 Inclosure 1 in No, 13. Consul Hodgson to Mr. Alcock. Sir, . Nagasaki, July 12, 1859. ALTHOUGH I suppose you have had the same difficulties to encounter as we have had in the important matter of the new monetary system ordered from Yedo on the 6th instant, to be put in force all over Japan, still I feel it my duty to inclose you a copy of the one we have received, and a copy of our united protest against it. Unlike Kanagawa, where the new system may not be so objectionable, at Nagasaki there actually exist contracts between British and Japanese merchants, made when the dollar was worth 4 taels 7 mace, or 4,800 copper cash. At Kanagawa, trade with foreigners is only about to commence ; so the cases are not parallel. Although the Japanese Government do propose to exchange silver coin, weight for weight, that is, the dollar for two nichous, yet, as copper cash is the base of the monetary system in Japan, we immediately incur a ruinous loss, for each nichous only represents 800 cash instead of 2,400 ; and so the two nichous are really only equal to one itzebou of the old currency, and thus the dollar descends in value and importance to 1 old itzebou or 1,800 cash. To pay, therefore, merchants, for contracts existing and made before the 6th, British merchants would have to pay 3 dollars instead of 1. This they wijl not do ; so, since the 8th, when this new proclamation was made, trade is literally stagnant. I have had numerous and long interviews with the Governor, Vice- Governor, and others : they seem to understand and feel that our protest is just, but orders from Yedo cannot be modified. I have invited for to-day a meeting of British merchants, as by letter inclosed, and have requested Mr. Mc Kenzie to report to me the result of their considerations. I have not said that we reject absolutely the proposed monetary system, for Governments have a right to change their coins ; but I could not allow British subjects to be losers by the change, which I feel sure you will not approve of. Even if you admitted it at Kanagawa, under modifications, still I hope you will agree with me that all contracts existing here before the 8th instant ought to be carried out and settled for on the monetary basis in force when those contracts were made. This view. Sir, I hope you will deem it well to take and insist upon. If, after these existing contracts have been once settled, you have accepted the new system, of course I shall receive your orders to do the same, and, excepting the too great increase in the value of the cash, which are chiefly iron, not copper, there will later not be very much to complain of ; for I suppose the Japanese Government has the right to assimilate the value and alloy of its silver to our standard. This they do by the new issue of nichous made of Mexican dollars, for all the old itzebous are to be called in. Trusting that we may have speedy news from you, Sir, as in our protest we have made the Japanese Government responsible for all losses and damages in consequence of the new system, and that, you will approve of my protest I have, &c. ' (Signed) C. PEMBERTON HODGSON. Inclosure 2 in No. 13. Extracts from Consul Hodgson's Notes respecting the Currency at Nagasaki Circular from the Governor to the Consuls, received on the 7th instant. _ AS the commerce with fpreigners ijs now open, the foreign gold and silver com will be current; but as the golden coins are to be exchanged for eold and the silver corns for silver according to weight, so the new. gold cobangfand new gold Itzebou, and Sliver half-itzebou, which are just now coined, will be current according to weight. ■^'^ v-uwciii. 35 This communication shall be made public through all the Empire of Japan, by the (jovernors, the Princes, and Priests. Written from Yedo ; so it is brought to your notice ! On the 9th the Governor sent to me to say that " the new currency ques- tion was suspended as requested ; but on Sunday he sent round to all the Consuls, begging them to come to him. We went at 3 o'clock till 7, and after in vain endeavouring to make a temporary settlement (the order from Yedo being final), we again made this joint protest verbally, to be sent in this day in writing. Protest. " For a change of this kind proper notice and time must be given. At present we can only act under the Treaties, which came into effect on the 1st and 4th July. Claims for damages or losses in consequence of the new system will be insisted on by our Governments fully. " And we now protest against this change. "July 10, 1859." (Signed separately by each Consul.) Since the 10th I have had two long interviews here with the Vice-Governor, and I tried to help him, as it appears the Governor will be disgraced if he does not carry out his orders, and if he quarrels with the foreigners. No change could be made by the Governor, but a temporary proposition offeji'edj viz., " that the dollar should be exchanged for 4 taels 7 mace here ; if at Kanagawa more has been given, then the deficiency shall be made up here ; if less, then the foreigner shall refund the overplus he has received." As the latter clause will be difficult to be carried into effect, I. have sent this proposition to the meeting of British merchants to-day to be held. The American and Dutch Consuls accept it also condijtionally, that they are not personally responsible for any deficiency in the sum that may have to be refunded. And thus the matter stands, and probably will remain until I hear frQTO you. ' I have adopted this journal style of writing, as I have only a few hours' notice, and am very busy, and yet want you to understand our position, which is really serious as far as a complete stagnation of commerce and the detention of shipping is concerned. Other matters are not much better : we can select houses, and generally obtain them, but no one has yet commenced building, for there is ever a diffi- culty in having the land selected confirmed to you. We cannot pass dollars or paper-money ; and new paper-money is to be given called " nichou," but it has not appeared. In the city the Japanese will only take itzebous, and of these we have none. I have not even time to copy the notes of these two sheets ; but I trust vou will find in them enough to make you understand our position. ^ (Signed) C. PEMBERTON HODGSON. Reply of the Governor to Consular Circular of the 8th instant, received . . July 11, 1859. (Translation.) The contents of your letter of the 8th July, concerning the proposed change of coin, appears to be reasonable. Yet dare we not postpone it m this place alone, because the ^ order has come from the Court at Yedo. It is not conve- nient, however, that merchants should not carry on trade until the state of matters at Kanai^awa is known. For this purpose two new pieces o! paper- money, value half an itzebou, will now be changed for one Mexican dollar ; and if the particulars of the Kanagawa settlement of the new coin differs from F 2 36 the regulations of the change agaiost the dollar at Nagasaki, and should the change here be too little, then whatever the amount is that shall be deficient, it will be returned ; for which this assurance is given. Respectfully proposed. (Signed) OKABE SOELOGANO KAMI. Sixth month. Circulm: Gentlemen, British Consulate, Nagasaki, July 11, 1859. OWING to the Proclamation made by the Government to the Japanese on the 6th instant (a copy of which I inclose), and which the three Consuls now in port have jointly protested against as not in accordance with the Treaty, and as a too sudden, although not absolutely rejected, change in the monetary system, whereby existing contracts, and contracts made previous to that date, would encounter serious and grave diflficulties, and perhaps much loss to the European community ; I, therefore, seeing that complete stagnation of trade must follow the Governor's notice and our protest, desire and invite British subjects kindly and calmly to consider their position, and to let me know as early as convenient the result of their considerations. Our protest makes the Japanese Government responsible for any losses that may be entailed on the European community after this date. But if the British merchant, knowing this, thinks it proper to enter into dealings with the Japanese, I see no reason why he should not do so : but then it must be on his own responsibility, and on a mutually agi'eed arrangement between the two parties. I should advise, if commerce is to be continued, British subjects to continue their trade on the monetary basis in force on the 1st instant. I inclose this letter to Mr. Mackenzie, as the senior merchant, and request him to have the kindness to consult with you, and let me know your wishes and opinion. (Signed) C. PEMBERTON HODGSON. Inclosure 3 in No. 13, Minutes of a Meeting of British Merchants at Nagasaki respecting the Currency. AT a meeting of British residents held in Nagasaki on the 12th July, 1859, K. R. Mackenzie, Esq., in the chair, a letter from Her Britannic Majesty's Consul on the currency question, and copy of the protest of the three Consuls, havmg been read, the following Resolutions were passed :— 1. That as the proposed issue of paper-money, either representing nichous, taels, or other corns, is in violation of Article X of the existing Treaty we protest against any such issue. 2. That as said Article provides that " foreign coins be cuiTent in Japan." we have a right to expect that the relative value of such coins shall be deter- mined by the present value of the existing Japanese silver currency _ 3 That we protest against the proposed act of the Japanese Government in making a com for the exclusive purposes of foreign trade 4 That as, by the non-fulfilment of the conditions of the Treaty in refusing to exchange com on the 1st July and after, we hold the Japanese G^vernS responsible for all losses that may be incuiTed by British subjectHwhiTto non-fulfilment of contracts by Japanese subjects. ^ ' ^ ■ (Signed) K. R. McKENZIE, Chairman. 37 Inclosure 4 in No. 13. Acting Consul Vyse to Mr. Alcock. Sir, Kanagawa, August 6, 1859. _ I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches of the 3rd instant, from No. 6 to No. 13. In reference to the latter I have still to complain of the state of the Treasury at Yokuhama, and also the state of trade in general. As regards the Treasury, the Governor still refuses to change fifty dollars a-day per head. Although he gave me his word that fifty should be the sum, not more than thirty dollars a-day per head have been changed. As regards the dollar circulating, the Japanese merchants refuse to take it almost at three itzebous, but wish to have it at one, and that with reluctance. I beg to inclose a copy of a letter written to me after having been to Yokuhama to inquire into several reports of the kind that had come to my knowledge, by my orders, stating all he had both seen and heard, and which reports only turned out to be but too true. Trade is at present quite at a stand-still, and the merchants are becoming both weary and disgusted with their idle life ; and as you state in your despatch of the 3rd instant, that, provided no difficulty is experienced in obtaining free circulation for the dollar among the Japanese at that rate, namely, three itzebous to the dollar, you "do not conceive' any objection can be taken to such an arrangement at the present moment with advantage," which is not the case here. I trust, therefore, some measures may be resorted to and adopted, by which the Japanese Government will be forced to abide by the Treaty, and not be permitted to infringe it in such an open and glaring banner as they are at present doing, first by refusing to change the dollar for the itzebou during the first year ; and, secondly, by placing such restrictions as now exist on both British and Japanese merchants. I have, &c. (Signed) F. HOWARD VYSE. Inclosure 5 in No. 13. Mr. Cowan to Acting Consul Vyse. Sir, Kanagawa^ August 6, 1859. IN compUance with your orders, I went over to Yokuhama yesterday the 5th instant, to inquire the truth of several complaints which have so frequently been made, as to the refusal, on the part of the Japanese merchants, to receive the dollar in payment for goods instead of the itzebou. I accompanied merchants to ten or twelve different houses, and invariably found that, though they did not dare to refuse to take the dollar, there was a great deal of reluctance on their parts to accept it, even at the rate of three itzebous per dollar— a rate which would leave our merchants nearly 3 per cent, out of pocket. One case in particular I must mention. The purchase of a certain parcel of goods had been agreed upon, and the dehvery of the goods was to take place the next day. As soon, however, as the Japanese understood that he would be paid in dollars, he feared that the wind would be contrary to the junks coming from Yedo, and he did not know when the delivery could take place. When, however, he was assured that he should be paid in itzebous, he felt confident that the wind would not prevent the junks coming in time for him' to keep his word. Among our merchants the conviction seems to be gen'eral, that by having the dollar as a current coin, all trade will be impossible ; for though the Japanese are indeed obliged to accept it, they do so with reluctance, and the Government will succeed in gaining their favourite point — of having one kind of coin current among the Japanese, and another for all transactions between Japanese and foreigners. I have, &c. (Signed) F. MARTIN COWAN, 38 IncloSure 6 in No. 13. Conml Hodgson to Mr. Alcock. gjj, Nagasaki, July 2, 1859. I BEG to inform you, that after two long interviews with the Japanese authorities, in the presence of Messrs. Donker and Walsh, yesterday, it was decided that the spot approved of and walked- over last month by those gentle- men should be the site of the European Settlement. At 7 p- m. ot the same evening (July 1st) the Commissioners came to this Consulate, and reported to me that the Governor had accepted this decision. u ' - u^ I therefore, this morning, gave notice to all British subjects that they might build here or purchase houses and warehouses from Decima all along the water's edge to the point opposite Mr. Keswick's, and not far from this Consulate. The bargains are to be made by the two parties, confirmed by me, and then approved of by the Governor. And in case any change should hereafter occur (t. e., from Yedo) then the expenses of removal were to be defrayed by the Japanese. This evening, however, at 6 p.m., these other Commissioners came ;_ and after a discussion of four hours, the former conditions and place we^e set aside, and the following temporary arrangements signed by them : — "It is settled that, from Decima to the Chinese ships, British subjects may hire houses and warehouses where they like. " It is moreover settled, that from the Chinese Point to Frazer's, they can build, hire, or purchase; and thence to opposite Mr. Keswick's, along the water- side, they can hire houses and warehouses ; and that within the ' red hne,' they can build, hire, or purchase houses or warehouses. " The Japanese Government will not buy the buildings thus raised, but will make the merchants do so if a change is ordered," i. e. from Yedo. Thus are we temporarily arranged until you, Sir, have been able to support me. On Monday, Mr. Walsh will take the field; and, perhaps, as the " Germanstown " is here, he may induce the Governor to reconsider his late decision and allow us to fix upon Messrs. Donker and Walsh's first approved-of plan as an immediate Foreign Settlement. The next difficulty is the fear which the Japanese merchants have to take dollars. This in time may wear off; but if you could send stringent orders that public notices should be posted, without tear or intimidation on the part of the authorities, the populace would soon fall into the habit of esteeming the dollar. To-day it is worth 5 tael 9 mace of paper money. I have, &c. (Signed) C. PEMBERTON HODGSON, Inclosure 7 in No. 13. Mr. Alcock to the Japanese Ministers for Foreign Affairs. Yedo, August 9, 1859. THE present serious aspect of affairs compels me to call your Excellencies' serious attention to the various and accumulating grounds of complaint here, at Kanagawa, and at Nagasaki, which, if not speedily removed, will unquestion- ably lead, at no distant period, to very deplorable consequences. From Nagasaki I have received reports from the Consul up to the 12th ultimo only, but they are filled with complaints and grievances. The sudden introduction of a new coin, and subsequent attempts to force a paper currency have been so much the m'ore disastrous that trade already existed, and many foreign and Japauese merchants had contracts which could not be carried out under such unforeseen conditions. The dollar, without previous notice there as here, was reduced two-thirds in value, and paper money was redeemed at the Treasury at such a discount that it only bore half its "nominal value in the market. All trade was paralysed, and, as was naturally to be expected the merchtots of all nations appealed to their Consuls for redress against so direct a violation of the existing Treaties, and claimed full compensation for the losses entailed. The Consuls of Great Britain, America, and Holland joined in a 39 protest against those arbitrary and unjustifiable measures, and forwarded it to the Governor, holding the Japanese Government responsible for all losses that may be entailed on the European community, so long as their ill-advised proceedings are persisted in. As your Excellencies have just acquainted me that foreign coins shall be received in exchange for itzebous as before, and this not as a provisional arrange- ment, but definitively, I will not enter into any discussion now on the subject of the currency, but only urge your Excellencies, without the loss of a moment, to send orders to the Governor of Nagasaki to withdraw all coinage and issues of paper in contravention of Article X of our Treaty ; and if there be an impos- sibihty, for the hour, of strict compliance with its stipulations, by exchanging in the quantity required the itzebous which were the established currency when the Treaty was framed, "weight for weight," against dollars, that he will as an evidence of good faith (and to limit the evil as far as possible, as well as the amount of claims for compensation which will be presented to the Japanese Government on behalf of the merchants), cause a Proclamation to be issued, declaring that all contracts existing before the 8th of last month shall be carried out and settled for on the monetary basis in force when they were made, and ftjirther informing all Japanese subjects that the dollar may be received in exchange at the rate of three itzebous, without fear or doubt, stating that the authorities and Treasury have strict commands on no account or plea to make any discount or deduction therefrom, when the said dollar may be tendered for payment to any Government Department: If this be done under the immediate orders of the Government here, the evil may be stopped ; and, if not, it is impossible but that serious mischief and complications will ensue, of which it is difficult to see the end, or measure the extent. In the meantime it is my duty, as the Representative of Great Britain, formally to give your Excellencies notice of the protest entered by Her Majesty's Consul at Nagasaki, in common with the Consuls of America and HoUandj and, confirming the same, I hereby hold the Government of Japan responsible for all loss and damage which may be proved to have resulted to individual merchants from the monetary changes suddenly and arbitrarily effected without timely notice, and otherwise in direct contravention of Article X of the Treaty. I have also grievous complaints from Nagasaki of the ditiiculties experienced in the choice of a fitting site for the foreign location. Orders are pleaded from Yedo limiting the water-frontage offered to some three or four hundred feet, an extent utterly inadequate to the most moderate and legitimate requirements of the merchants and foreign trade. Such restriction in the space is the more inexplicable, because, although straggling houses of no value fringe the bay, there is abundant space for both Japanese and foreigners under proper arrangement.; and that which the latter require, if already in the occupation of the former, can be acquired by purchase under the sanction of the Government. Foreign merchants are willing to pay the necessary amount to compensate the removal of existing tenants, with advantage to the Japanese themselves. No favour is asked either in this or the currency, but . simple justice and good faith, in a due observance of distinct stipulations of Treaties, to which the Japanese Govern- ment and His Majesty the Tycoon himself stand pledged in the face of Europe. From Kanagawa, in like man per, I receive nothing but complaints, often reiterated. No site has yet been selected for the foreign location, although thp Consuls there are prepared to point out several which offer no insuperable obstacle. The withdrawal of the new half-itzebou coinage has only partially met the evil produced by its attempted introduction ; and the assurances of your Excellencies that the dollar will pass current with the Japanese traders and population at the old rate, are but ill sustained by the facts. In some cases they are absolutely refused ; in all, taken with evident reluctance : and no transactions can be carried out on the same terms by any merchants buying with dollars, and buying with itzebous. There is not only difficulty, therefore, but a manifest loss entailed upon the merchant reduced to the alternative of trading with dollars. Why is this ? and who profits by it ? Your Excellencies should be best able to give the true answer to these questions, for you have the best means of informa- tion ; and the interests of the Japanese Government are far more deeply concerned in these dealings than, I fear, has yet been realized by your Excel- lencies. Whatever may be the true explanation of this reluctance of Japanese to receive the dollar — whether it be a discount to which they are subjected, 40 unknown to the Government, by subordinate ofiicials, when the dollars have to be exchanged at the Treasury, or more direct measures of obstruction ana intimidation— I do not presume to say, although many facts have come to my knowledge which lead to both these conclusions ; but if I cannot speak wilti certainty, either as to the causes of this impediment, or decide who is the gainer, I can very distinctly inform your Excellencies with whom is the present loss. That such loss is to a large and daily increasing extent as regards individuals, and must soon merge into a larger question of loss to trade and loss to foreign nations, not individuals only, I am bound to add. And 1 thmk it must be obvious to your Excellencies that it is the interest of the Japanese Government, as well as a pressing duty imposed upon them by Treaties, and by the good faith which can alone avert injury and coUision between nations, to apply a prompt and efficacious remedy. Finally, I come to the state of affairs here— at the capital and seat of Government. Two foreign Representatives only are here, with half-a-dozen gentlemen attached to their Missions. They have been sent in accordance with Treaties, and have trusted themselves alone in the midst of a vast population, without ships of war, or other protection than the loyalty and good" faith of that Government, and the presumed respect of Japanese people for their own laws and the mutual obligations of States. _ Do your Excellencies know how this confidence on our part has been met? No officer of the Missions of either countryj Great Britain or the United States, can walk out of their official residence without risk of rudeness, offence, and latterly— more especially latterly — violence of the most wanton and determined character. Stones are thrown, blows are struck, swords are drawn on gentlemen passing along the great thoroughfares inoffensively and peaceably, offering neither offence nor provocation to any one. I hear that a few days ago the American Secretary of Legation, Mr. Hueskin, was attacked deliberately, and struck a violent blow while slowly walking his horse on the road ; and this not by a coolie, or even a drunkard, as far as could be observed, but one of "those officers bearing swords." A day or two later, I further hear, he and the Consul of Holland, who was in his company, were assailed in the centre of the town, and in open day, with stones ; and not by idle boys — not by one, but hundreds of men — not for a moment either, but persistently for a considerable time, two officials being present at the time, and stirring no hand to put a stop to such an outrage. My own staff have complained to me of insolence and rudeness expe- rienced in their walk-s, and not always from common people, but officers ; and sometimes stones have been thrown, without the shadow of a pretext, by provo- cation or offence, offered on their part ; on the contrary, it is always from behind their assailants come. It appears they do not deem it inconsistent with a reputation for courage to attack perfectly inoffensive and unarmed strangers walking alone in their streets (under safeguard only of the good disposition of the population and the laws of their country), and think it no disparagement to their courage, and no evidence of cowardice, to steal from behind to throw these missiles, and, backed by a crowd, to attack by dozens a single stranger. These outrages can only be considered as a reproach and a scandal to any city where all the powers of a government are concentrated and available for the maintenance of order. I pray your Excellencies to allow me for a moment to draw your serious attention to some leading facts connected with such acts, if not the inferences to which they lead. This demeanour of the population was not observable on the first arrival of the Foreign Missions last month ; they have gradually become more noticeable; while latterly, each day seems to bring a new instance, with accession of violence and aggravating circumstances. Whence is this? As regards my own Mission I can vouch for the absence of all pretext or shadow of justification, even in their demeanour, for any display either of ill-will or offensive conduct. I feel scarcely less certain that no just provocation has been received from the American Mission. I have said that in the beginning such action on the part of officers and populace alike did not exist ; and in saying so. I do not overlook the fact that in all large cities there will be idle and ill- conditioned people about the thoroughfares, disorderly boys who will follow and sometimes hoot at foreigners, or idly throw a stone. These things may happen everywhere, and in most civilized States • nor to such instances as these have I ever thought it necessary to draw vour attention: but there- is this notable difference between these continued and 41 reiterated acts of aggression, directed against the five or six individuals forming two Diplomatic Missions (who must be very generally known to be the only foreign residents at Yedo), and what might take place in any city of Europe : viz., that such public display of violence could not take place, without its being the duty of certain public officers charged with the maintenance of the peace to interfere and put a stop to it, and apprehend some at least of the most prominent offenders, who would in that case be certainly and severely punished for their violation of the law. Secondly, that if any officer, or civilian even of respecta- bility, saw such disgraceful conduct towards inoffensive strangers, they would of their own accord interfere to prevent its continuance, and secure if possible the apprehension of some of the assailants. And they would be held disgraced in public opinion, if they failed to do so, much more if they stood by, encouraging such ruffianly violence ; while any officer or pubhc functionary so acting could hardly escape, on complaint, if not without it, the punishment due to his conduct. If any such instances of unprovoked and unpunished violence offered to inoffensive foreigners ever occur in European States, there is no one who does not know that they are the exceptions, not the rule ; and the occurence of one is quite sufficient to move the Government or Municipal authorities to more strenuous effiarts to provide against the possibility of a recurrence of the same acts with like impunity. In all these essential points I am obliged to conclude the inhabitants and officers of Yedo differ from the functionaries and populations of every other city in the civilized world. I say it with regret, but the facts compel me to adopt this conclusion. Day after day these insults and outrages are offered to five or six individuals ; they increase in frequency and violence : no functionary interferes. Officers are sometimes the assailants, and oftener still either passive or encouraging spectators. With ail this going on almost under the walls of the Tycoon's Palace — and the Representatives of two of the Great Powers of the West are subjected to daily insult in the persons of those attached to them, and liable to the same treatment in their own persons — neither the Japanese Government nor the functionaries charged with the maintenance of the laws and good order in the city give sign of life. No steps are taken, to all appearance, to prevent the continual recurrence of these scenes of disgraceful violence, by the direct and timely intervention of the proper authorities on the spot. No pubhc proclama- tion is issued to warn the inhabitants of the penalties of such conduct, and prohibit it in the name of the law and the Government. No authoritative act appears, insisting upon the respect and consideration due to foreigners coming as guests in the midst of this population, to the Representatives of foreign Powers entitled, by Treaty and universal custom, not only to perfect immunity from every description of wrong, but to respect and consideration. I will not tell your Excellencies what are the natural and legitimate inferences to be drawn from all the facts I have been reluctantly compelled on this occasion to bring under your serious notice ; but I am bound to state that if the Japanese Government desired to make the Treaties, so formally entered into a short year ago with foreign Powers, null and void of effect, without actually declaring such to be their intention ; to make trade impossible by vexa- tious impediments, delays, and changes of currency ; and, finally, to render the residence of Diplomatic Agents in Yedo either untenable or dangerous to life, with all the risks of misunderstandings, demands for redress backed by power, and risks of collision — deplorable in all circumstances — and grave compHcatiops of national interests with it; it would be difficult, I conceive, to devise any system better calculated to effect this end, whether I regard that which has been done and openly permitted, or that which has neither been done nor attempted to avert the worst consequences. I deeply regret to have to make such serious representations to your Excellencies, on matters, too, involving our national relations with Japan. I have it very earnestly at heart to avert consequences 1 too clearly foresee will follow, if prompt and efficacious means be not taken to that end. It is the desire of my Government, and the interest of Great Britain, to be at peace with all nations, and cultivate only the best relations : but it is not permitted to any nation with large interests at stake, and national honour to defend, to shrink from the due maintenance of its Treaty rights ; and least of all can Great Britain allow them to be trampled under foot, here or elsewhere. I am, therefore, acting G 42 strictly and simply in accordance with ray instructions in taking the only step which appears calculated to prevent any interruption to the good understanding and friendly intercourse it was the object of the Treaty to estabhsh and maintain inviolate, by calling the attention of the Government of Japan, through your Excellencies, to the imperative necessity for the vigorous adoption of measures which shall render such frequent and grave causes of complaint impossible ; and allow the Treaty to take effect, by the removal of obstacles for which the Japanese Government must, unavoidably, be responsible. (Signed) ' RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. No. 14. Mr, Alcock to the Earl of Malmesbury. — {Received October 30.) My Lord, Yedo, August 13, 1859. I FIND it wijl be impossible to forward, in a complete state, the corre- spondence with the Ministers of Foreign Aifairs, on the three subjects referred to in my despatch of the 11th instant, namely, the currency, choice of a location in Kanagawa, and the grant of passports for officials travelling between the capital and the port. A portion of the correspondence only has been trans- lated, and therefore by this opportunity I will simply state to your Lordship, in the briefest manner, the results, and forward the documents by the next vessel. On the currency question, the Ministers informed me in an official letter, dated the 8th instant (after the receipt of two despatches, one of them very lengthy, and affirming all their previous arguments, which I w£^s on the point of answering by a final statement of the whole bearing of the subject), that it has been definitively determined to inake all foreign coins current in Japan in exchange for Japanese coins, as there were in circulation when the Treaty was made, and accordiRg to its stipulations, weight for weight. This is all I have ever contended for ; more indeed, for I think they are perfectly entitled to increase the relative Mint value of their gold in exchange for silver. It is, or seems to be, the complete abandonment of the whole matter in dispute ; g,nd if in good faith, probably nothing more need be required. If the Japanese may receive the dollars without fear of being subjected to a discount at the Treasury, then a perfectly satisfactory settlement has been obtained. In any case, tHe great evil with which foreign trade was threatened, has been reduced to very small proportions. On the Kanagawa location there is, apparently, a like renunciation of the position taken, and the Ministers simply inform me that orders have been sent to the Governor to examine the several sites with the foreign Consuls. I wait to hear from Captain Vyse how far the Governor has been disposed to co-operate with them in fixing upon one. But in this, as in the currency, it seems impos- sible that the Japanese Government can ever go back to their first position, " that a location at Kanagawa was impossible, and could not be claimed under the Treaty." Finally, the passports. They tell me, not very graciously, that they hope the grant of permanent passports, one at each place, will not be made a pretext for travelling for pleasure instead of for business, and they are prepared to place them at my disposal. ' If all has not been yet obtained which we might legitimately hope or claim so much more has, within the last five days, been conceded than I expected for some time to come, at least, that I venture to trust in the promise such conces- sions give of further improvement, and the final removal of all the more serious obstacles to the estabhshment of our relations with this singular people unon a permanent and fairly satisfactory basis. I do not expect it will be all smooth sailmg ; mdeed, I am very sure it will be much otherwise : but a week aeo the whole horizon looked dark and threatening, and now, at least, there is a break in the clouds, and saie anchorage in sight. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 45 No. 15. Lord J. Russell to Mr. Alcock. (Exttaet.) Foreign Office, November 10, 1859. I HAVE received your despatch of the 14 th of July last, announcing that the ratifications of the Treaty between Great Britain and Japan were exchanged on the 1 1th of that month, and reporting the details of the ceremonial observed on the occasion ; and I have to acquaint you that I entirely approve the course \Vhich you pursued. No. 16. Lord J. Russell to Mr. Alcock. (.Extract.) Foreign Office, November 10, 1859. I HAVE received your despatches to that of the 13th of August inclusive, and I have to state to you that Her Majesty's Government entirely approve the course which you have taken with respect to the currency question, and in the conduct generally of your relations with the Japanese Government. Her Majesty's Government have no doubt that the progress which has been made is attributable to your firmness, tact, and discretion ; and they do not doubt that you will in the end overcome all the difficulties which must necessarily attend the first establishment of regular intercourse with Japan. Na 17. Lord J. Russell to Mr. Alcock. Sir, Foreign Office, November 10, 1859. WITH reference to my preceding despatch of this date approving of your proceedings, I have to instruct you to persevere in insisting firmly on all the rights which are granted by our Treaty with Japan. As it is likely that an unfavourable effect may have been pi'oduced on your position by the news of the repulse of the British squadron by the Chinese in the Peiho, I think it right to inform you that it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to exact an ample apology for the outrage committed by the Chinese, arid to insist on the fulfilment of the Treaty concluded by the Earl of Elgin at Tieh-tsin. I am, &c. (Signed) J. RUSSELL. No. 18. Mr. Alco'ck to Lord J. Russell. — {Received November 10.) (Extract.) Yedo, September 3, 1859. 1 HAVE had frequent intercourse with Count Mouraviefi', and of an extremely cordial character, chiefly induced, in the first instance, by a deplorable act of violence and muijder committed at Yokuhama (port of Kanagawa), on one of his officers and two sailors by some Japanese. This event was, in its circum- stances, a matter of deep interest to all foreigners ; and I sought to give every possible assistance on the spot in the steps taken to trace the assailants, and here in communication with the General. The inclosed copy of a Report from Mr. Gowan, in temporary charge during the absence here of Captain Vyse, who had come nip^ to report personally what had happened, and the succeeding despatch, will put your Lordship in possession of the chief facts. I may state in connection that nothing new has been elicited. Notwithstanding the high rank of Count Mouravieff, and all the influence which his position as a Governor* G2 44 General, in command of territory and an army on the borders, as well as a large squadron on the spot, necessarily give him, the offenders have not been traced or seized; and nothing is yet known whether the murderous assault on three unoffending Russians was a mere highway robbery, with features of peculiar atrocity, or whether it was assassination from motives of personal or political animosity, of which robberv was merely a subordinate incident. I confess I am inclined to adopt the latter conclusion. The Russians, in common with the members of the British and American Missions, had been pelted and mobbed in the streets of Yedo. One or more Japanese officials, on the energetic remon- strance of Count Mouravieff, were understood to have been disgraced, or dismissed, a day or two before. The feeling of hostility kept up against all foreigners by influential parties among the Damios is palpable, and chiefly manifested by the people connected more or less directly with them; the whole class of two- sworded men especially. One, if not more, of the assailants were clearly of this class. The box of money was found on the road leading back to Kanagawa, with all the foreign gold and silver untouched. Putting all these circumstances together, and the supineriess of all the authorities on the spot by which the escape of the assassins was made certain, it appears to me the grounds are strong for suspecting a personal or pohtical object, rather than a desire for plunder, to have been the chief motive for attack. I believe all that the Count has been able to obtain amidst many and continued protestations of a desire on the part of the Japanese Government to discover and punish the offenders, is a promise to remove the Governor of Foreign Affairs who was in charge when the event took place, and punish the " Otono," or Ward Magistrate, who by his own confession was a witness to the murder, and subsequently did nothing towards the apprehension of the guilty, but waited for orders. The whole affair wears the most unsatisfactory aspect, and bodes ill for the future security of foreigners in Japan, and in the vicinity of the capital more especially. Count Mouravieff has, with much consideration, determined on leaving the Russian frigate here, until some other foreign vessel of war comes on the station. Inclosure 1 in No. 18. Acting Consul Coivan lo Mr. Alcock. Sir, Kanagawa, August 27, 1859. AT about 4 o'clock, or thereabouts, of the morning of the 25th instant, we were aroused from our beds by a numerous body of Japanese officials, who came to inform us that some Russian officers had been attacked in the street by Japanese, and that one man had been killed. The Governor had sent them over to Kanagawa, to inform the Consuls of the accident, and beg advice as to what steps were to be taken. Having some experience of the value to be attached to a Japanese story, we naturally thought the matter had been greatly exaggerated, but nevertheless resolved on instantly going over to look into the affair ; and, ten minutes after the officials had left the house, we were in our boat proceeding to the scene of the accident as fast as four strong men could propel us. We had of course supposed that the unfortunate liien had had some quarrel with the natives, and that in the heat of passion swords had been drawn and blows exchanged. What then was our horror and indignation at learning, on our arrival, that the attack was entirely unprovoked, and that not the slightest offence or cause of quarrel had been given. We therefore judged it expedient to see the wounded men, and collect as much evidence as possible before meeting the Governor. On proceeding to the house where the men were carried, we were horror- struck at the spectacle which met our sight. One of the wounded men had died before our areival, and was now laid out on a mattress. He was fearfully wounded by two cuts, one over each shoulder, extending over the shoulder-blade and crossing at the spine so deep as even to have injured the lungs ; another gash had laid open the skull, while a fourth had cut through the fllshv part of the thigh to the very bone. ^ '■ 45 Notwithstanding these fearful wounds, he had lived for about four hours and been able to give a full account of the whole transaction to the brother officer who had accompanied him from Yedo. Here, too, we were informed that the murder had taken place at about 8 o'clock in the evening, and that nearly eight hours had elapsed before the Consuls received information of the affair. But if the officer's wounds were feaiful, no words can describe those which caused the death of the poor sailor who had been struck down at the same moment. His head was split in two, down to the nostrils ; his right shoulder cut through and through just above the socket, so that his arm was merely attached to the body by a piece of flesh. His arms and hands had the flesh sHced off in several places; and, in fact, he presented a picture of the most barbarous mutilation one can imagine. It was some rehef to hear the opinion of the medical man that his death must have been instantaneous. Sick at heart with what we had seen, and determined to have the assassins punished in the most exemplary manner, we next proceeded to visit the only survivor of the unfortunate party, the Commodore's steward, who had received a wound in the left arm. By means of Lieutenant AvinofF, who kindly acted as our interpreter, we inquired into the particulars of the case as minutely as the man's state allowed ; and from his evidence, joined to that gathered from the murdered officer, before his death, we learned as follows : — Two officers, it. seems, had been sent down from the fleet lying off Yedo, in order to buy fresh provisions at Yokuhama. They separated to go to different shops ; the one bought some fowls, and, while having them carried down to the boat, passed his comrade, who was accompanied by a sailor carrying an English cash-box, and by the Commodore's steward, just entering a greengrocer's shop. Calling out to him that he would go down to the boat and wait for him there, he proceeded on his way. The unfortunate man, having completed his purchases, had not left the shop many yards when a rush was made from a cross-street he had just passed, and in an instant he was struck down by a blow from behind. His first cry was to his men to look out, but not in time enough to save the sailor who followed him, and who seems to have fallen at the same instant. The steward received a cut on his left arm, and instantly rushed into a shop, followed by two or three men, who were, however, prevented from entering by the shopkeeper's hastily closing the door, while they hid the wounded man, first behind some bales of goods, afterwards at the back of the house. When the men were struck down the assassins made off. The Japanese, alarmed at the noise, came running up from all sides, and stood gaping on, without attempting to touch either the dead or the dying. Meanwhile, the officer who had gone down to the boat, sauntered slowly back to the street to meet his companions, was attracted by the crowd, and on coming up found his friend weltering in his blood. The captain of the '''Fennimore Cooper" (an American surveying schooner cast away during the late storm), who was soon upon the spot, sent down to his quarters for a file of men, and had the officer and the mu^tilated corpse of the sailor carried to his temporary residence. On account of the sevei-ity of the wounds, the surgeon did not wish to put him to the pain of any operation, since it could not possibly save his life. As, however, he continued to live on, and retain consciousness and strength much longer than was at first thought possible, his wounds were at length sewn up. It is to be regretted that notice of the outrage was not immediately sent over to us, that we might have been able to put some questions to this gentleman. We, however, supposed that all proper steps had been taken, though why eight hours had been allowed to elapse before we were called, was still incomprehen- sible to us. We then proceeded to the Governor's, whom we found in conference with the Dutch Consul. Our first question was, what steps the Governor had taken ? Judge of our feelings when we were informed that absolutely nothing had been done ! Several junks were hoisting sail, though it still wanted an hour of daybreak, but as it was a dead calm they could not make any way. We then desired that inmiediate orders might be given that no boat should leave the bay, and that the roads should be strictly guarded : that the inhabitants 46 of the houses in the vicinity of the scene of murder should be cross-examined ; that the persons who were first on the spot should be arrested and questioned : at the same time expressing our indignant surprise, in very strong terras, that such had not already been done. . The Governor was told, at the same time, that as we were perfectly convraced that in a country like this, where every second man is a Government spy, no criminal could possibly escape without the connivance of the authorities, the murderers must be produced, and that very shortly. Some clue to the discovery had already been found, as after the murder a piece of long Japanese sabre, an officer's overcoat or " rob," and a sandal such as is worn by the better classes, bad been picked up. The piece of sabre is about six or eight inches long, clotted with blood, while from a deep dent near the point it seems to have been broken by striking the ground, probably in giving another wound to the poor sailor after he had fallen, for it was found near his body. The coat unfortunately had no " mong " or arms upon it, and at the time that we examined it had not a scrap of paper or anything else in the pockets. It had, however, evidently belonged to an officer, for it was open in the skirts behind to allow the, long sabre to pass, and was fastened in front by a heavy silk cord. ' The loop of the sandal was of thick blue cloth. Here, then, was sufficient clue for the discovery of at least one of the villains. No swords of that kind can be purchased either at Yokuhama or Kanagawa ; no official can appear in the street without his coat and swords ; the name of every man having the right to wear two sabres is known; none can travel without a passport. What could be more simple, therefore, than to institute a strict search into the state of the swords of every official in the place. The Governor, indeedj expressed his willingness to take every measure we might recommend, but as he had been so dilatory, we were determined to do as much as possible ourselves. We therefore demanded an interpreter and some officers to accompany us to the spotj that we might gain as much information as possible from the inhabitants of the houses on either side. The officers, the Governor told us, were at our service, but he could not spare us an interpreter ; thus at once preventing us from having any direct communication with those persons who were most likely to be able to afford us any information in the sad affair. Fortunately, however, the Dutch Consul was attended by one of his servants, who speaks very good Dutch ; and this man we took with us. We searched the ground carefully to see if anything could be found, but only picked up a few scraps of clothing which had been hacked off the backs of the victims. We next proceeded to the shop in which the steward had found a refuge after being wounded. The men of the house declared that they had seen nothing, not even the persons who pursued the man, though they admitted that they had closed the door to prevent his pursuers from entering. It is, of course, possible that the suddenness of the attack, and the confusion consequent upon hearing the cries of murder, and the wounded man rushing into the house all covered with blood, may have prevented their observing anything else with sufficient distinctness to enable them to identify persons ; yet we observed here, as well as among all whom we interrogated, great reluctance to speak out about the matter — a reluctance which we attributed to their fear of saying anything which might imphcate an officer. Our next visit was to the Ottona of the main street, who resides exactly in face of the scene of murder. He declared that the preceding evening at dusk he was sitting in the shop looking out, when he saw two Europeans walking along on the other side of the way, almost side by side, one of them carrying a small box, and followed at a few steps' distance by another European.' These persons were followed by a Japanese, bearing a lantern, with an inscription, which he beUeves to have been some merchant's sign, and no official character' The evening had fallen so that the whole appeared to him from the other side of the street as so many shadows. All at once a blow was struck as it appeared to him with a stick ; loud cries were uttered ; the two foremost men fell down simultaneously at some paces distance from each other and the whole was confusion. He gave immediate orders to have the official sticks and lantern prepared, and proceeded to see what had been done. On asking him why no arrest had been made, he rephed that he could not 47 do so without orders ; but that he had imniediately sent down notice of the event to the authorities, and awaited their directions as to what was next to be done. With this man our inquiries among the people terminated ; but we think it might be possible to find the man who carried the lantern, described by the Ottona, and if so his evidence would be of the utmost importance, always supposing he was not himself one of the murderers. Returning along the waterside, we saw many junks putting out to sea, notwithstanding the demand of the two Consuls that orders should be given to prevent any of them leaving port, The Vice-Consul, therefore, in conjunction .with the Dutch Consul, immediately sent in a letter to the Governor, insisting on their demand, and requiring a stop to be put to all business till the affair should be cleared up. A copy of this despatch is inclosed. It was thought necessary to insist upon such steps being taken, because the authorities seemed unwiUing to exert themselves so much as they might do in the matter. Diuring our first interview we had mentioned the rumour of an officer being disgraced at Yedo on account of an insult offered to the Russians, and of his having come to Yokuhama — an event which was not denied by the Governor. We now, therefore, returned to demand that that man should be seized, and his house searched. The Governor had left Yokahama, so that our second interview took place with the Vice-Governor. He told us that our demand should be attended to; but when he was requested to send officers with us to have the man seized in QUr presence, he pretended to know nothing about him, but promised to make inquiries. This is all that we have, as yet, been able to get from the authorities ; up to this moment not a single arrest has been made. The Europeans all regard the matter as one intimately connected with their own safety ; for if the Japanese dare to CQtnpfiit such an outrage in the face of such a force as the Russians have at this moment at their command, what may they not do to us who have been left for weeks without a single man-of-war on the station ? Their opinion of us, and what we are able to do, is pretty clearly expressed by the vvay in which they carry out the Treaty, and which, if it is not soon put a stop to, will have the effect of driving every British merchant from this place. The victims were buried in a beautiful spot just outside Yokuhama yesterday afternoon ; their funeral being attended by every European in the place : a sight which must have produced its effect upon the population, who lined the whole road, and all knelt down as the procession passed. I afterwards went on board the Russian Commodore, and after informing him of what had been done, repeated my offers of service in any way he might think proper to command ; informing him, at the same time, that I had received your orders to that effect. I aiTi now about to proceed once more to Yokuhama, to hear from the Governor's hps how matters stand, and to insist upon strict search being made after the man described by the Ottona as carrying a lantern. I will take care to keep you informed of any step taken in the affair. I have, &c, (Signed) F. MARTIN COWAN. Inclosure 2 in No. 18. Acting Consul Cowan to Mr. Alcock. Sir^ Kanagawa, August 28, 1859. IN continuation of my despatch of yesterday, I have to inform you that I went to the Governor's this afternoon, to require that the lantern-bearer spoken of in my last as bearing a lantern behind the Russian officer, should be sought after and examined, he being the most Hkely person to be able to give evidence. The officer to whom I spoke was one of inferior rank, but seemed to be as able as his superiors in subterfuges and empty wordiness. I informed him that, as Interpreter in charge, I had a right to ask an interview with the Governor himself, though, on account of certain letters which had passed between Captain 48 Vyse and the Governor, I waived that right ; though, at the same time, he must rest assured that what I there demanded must be considered of as much weight and importance as if made by Captain Vyse himself to the Governor. He promised that all due inquiries should be made, and informed me that the man disgraced at Yedo had not been down to Yokuhama. In how far this is to be beheved I do not know, for, on paving a visit to the Commodore just after the Governor left him, I was told that he had assured the Russians that, immediately on the murder being committed he had taken every step possible for the discovery of the murderers ; whereas he told the Consuls, eight hours after it had taken place, that he had delayed doing anything till he had asked the advice of the Consuls as to how he had to act. That such were his words there can be no doubt, for there were four persons present (Captain Vyse, M. de Graaff, Lieu- tenant Avinoff, and myself), and all understood him to that effect. No attention seems to have been paid to our requisition that the shops should be closed, and a stop put to business ; and in the position in which we are at this moment, T do not know whether we could venture on insisting on it, not having even a gun-boat at our command to enforce such a demand. I am afraid that, without some stringent measure being taken, however, the affair will be suffered to die away quietly, and the Japanese will see that any outrage may be committed upon us with impunity, however loudly we may complain, however much we may threaten. I have, &c. (Signed) F. MARTIN COWAN. No. 19. Mr. Alcock to Lord J. Russell. — {Received November 1 0.) My Lord, Yedo, September 3, 1859. REFERRING to my despatch of the 11th ultimo, inclosing a strongly worded protest against the continuance of a state of affairs fraught with danger to both countries, and most prejudicial to our interests, which I had addressed a few days previously to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, I have now the honour to inclose their answer, which was delayed until the 26th of the same month. Your Lordship will see that while the tone is perfectly concihatory, and in part deprecatory, the substance of it offers little subject of congratulation, and no great promise of amelioration. While the Ministers defend themselves from any imputation of error or negligence in the execution of the Treaty, they promise that orders shall be given to remove certain specific grounds of complaint. In the meantime there is little change in the aspect or progress of affairs. They have returned to the old coinage in the matter of currency, and state that they have ordered the free circulation of dollars ; but neither w^ill the tradesmen receive them, being subject, as I have reason to believe, to amulet of one itzebou, or one-third on every dollar at the Treasury. Nor will the Treasury supply any but the most inadequate quantity of Japanese coin to the foreicrn merchants in exchange for dollars. Thus everything in the way of trade continues inter- rupted, and I have numerous protests and demands from British merchants for losses entailed, which it will be necessary specially to submit for vour Lordship's information and instructions. I am told in this answer that they have given strict orders to prevent our being stoned and mobbed in the streets : but after the date of this letter Russian officers met the same treatment ; some of our European servants were assaulted by men entitled to wear two swords at the very gate of the Consulate- Ge neral : and since then, a Russian officer and sailor have been murdered in the streets at Yokuhama. Some exertion, I beheve, has since been made to protect foreigners from open violence, but I cannot learn that any public edict or warning to the people has been issued. , ° 1 called the attention of their Excellencies the Ministers of Foreign Affairs to the steps I had myself taken to give the utmost publicity to the terms of thp ratified Treaty and Regulations of Trade, inclosing them the printed conies of both, vnth my notifications, and begged to be distinctly informed what steps had 49 been taken by the Emperor's Government to the same end, and what further measures were in contemplation to make known to Japanese subjects, here and elsewhere throughout the Empire, the obligations of Treaties, and the right of British subjects to entire immunity from insult or injury. In their reply, which I inclose, together with my letter and notification, they assure me the Treaty has already been made known all over the country, and has been ordered to be printed ; and the latter circumstance I know to be true, but whether freely circulated, or made easily accessible, 1 cannot learn. I think matters had at last put on so serious and menacing an aspect, especially since the murder of the Russians, that they have felt some anxiety about th^ ultimate consequences, and are seeking by conciliatory language and some effort, to remove from the minds of the foreign Representatives an impres- sion they saw was gaining ground, that the Government were wilUngly or knowingly permitting dangerous infractions of Treaty and reiterated acts of violence. I have requested a personal interview with the Foreign Ministers in the hope that I may find them favourably disposed to hsten to firm but friendly remonstrances against a continuation of the course we have had so much reason to complain of The American Minister saw them a few days ago on this subject, and the Count Mouravieff to-day is to meet the Council of State for a similar purpose. Something we must hope from these united efforts temperately to convince them of the dangers attending such habitual disregard of Treaty obligations. From Nagasaki I have heard nothing officially since the 1 1th August, and then only a line from Mr. Morrison to acknowledge despatches ; but I hear from other sources that some lives have been taken there also in popular tumults. [ have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 1 in No. 19. The Japanese Ministers for Foreign Affairs to Mr. Alcoch (Translation.) WE acknowledge the receipt; on the 16th instant, of your Excellency's despatch of the 11th day of the 7th month (9th of August), and also that of another letter, and have understood that the spirit of this letter was dictated by good faith. We were in hopes that, after the exchange of the ratifications of the Treaty, peace and friendship would be confirmed, and the interest of both nations promoted. But fearing, that as the intercourse of our nation with otliers had only recently commenced, misunderstandings might take place, we gave orders to the officials to take care it should be made known to our nation : however, from your communication, it is evident that the order has not been generally carried out. We will give stricter orders, so that everything be arranged properly. Respecting your communication on the failure of trade at Nagasaki, we will inquire into it, and take care all be done properly. As we mentioned in our former letter, it is merely stipulated in the Treaty that coins of the same weight and the same sort shall be exchanged, and not that no new coin should be issued without a previous notification. Therefore we supposed that no objection would be raised to our issuing a new coin. And for that very reason we did not allude to it, when the Treaty was concluded. It speaks to reason, that all articles in the world are dear or cheap, in proportion to the quantity there is of them. This is also the case with the gold and silver coins ; thus a large one is divided into several smaller ones, or several smaller ones are united to a large one, in proportion as their value is great or small. It would require a just and impartial investigation to ascertain in how far the new coin, alluded to in our former communication, deviates from fairness. But, foreign merchants not knowing this, we thought it would be an obstacle to trade, if we waited until this investigation was terminated, and therefore we brought all back to the old standard. Although it might be expected we should agree with your proposal, that our subjects and citizens ought to take dollars, nevertheless they consider the H 50 inland coin, with the Government stamp on it, as the only current coin ; thus the use of the dollar will meet with great objections, because our subjects have never seen foreign coins. But in consequence of your communication, we issued a new order that the dollar must be taken. You have also alluded to the site for the location of foreigners and paper money at Nagasaki. This paper money was issued on account of the difficulty of sending money to that town, which is at the extremity of this countr}^, and the smallest town. We shall give instructions to the Governor of Nagasaki to settle the foreign location as soon as possible, although Nagasaki is very small, and we do not as yet know whether there is any reason to suppose there will not be sufficient room for all the foreigners ; for we feel uneasy about all these com- plaints of foreign nations. Not losing out of sight the interests of both nations, we will discuss the matter after we have heard from Nagasaki. We have already given orders to the Governor of Kanagawa to select, with the Consul, a site for the foreign location, which would be objectionable to neither party.- In the meanwhile, on the receipt of your communication, we asked the Governor how matters stood, and his answer was, that, as the Consul had put the same question to him on the 18th, he was now busy selecting a site; thus you see it has not been neglected. Be it understood, that we have to discuss the subject, as soon as the necessary information from Kanagawa comes to hand, It is to be wondered at, that the officers of the different foreign Powers shpuld be molested in their walks ! As soon as we heard of it, we gave strict orders to prevent it ; but as our nation has not been accustomed to foreigners until lately, they are astonished when they see them, and confusion ensues. It was very likely for this reason that a stipulation was made to defer the resi- dence at Yedo of the Ministers of the different Powers. You would have received this communication sooner, but it was delayed on account of the many days of solemn festivals. We hope you will excuse our tardiness. Respectfully and politely proposed, the 28th day of the 7th month of Ansei Hitsuzi (26th of August). (Signed) MANABE SIMOOSANO KAMI. WAKISAKA NAKATUKANO TAYU. Inclosure 2 in No. 19. Mr. Alcock to the Japanese Ministers for Foreign Affairs. Yedo, August 16, 1859. I BA_VE the honour to inclose a printed copy of the public notification issued after the exchange of the ratifications of Treaty, publishing all the Articles of the Treaty, as I had previously done of the Regulations of Trade, and calling upon all British subjects to be careful in avoiding any infraction. This has been printed and circulated in every port frequented by British subjects, from Hong Kong to Yedo. Referring to my previous communication of the 16th July, on the subject of a Proclamation of similar tenour on the part of the Ja|)ane?e Government, and the publication of the Treaty and Regulations through- out Japan, and to the obvious need of such a measure even here in the capital, more particularly brought under the notice of vour Excellencies in my official letter of the 9th instant, I have to request your Excellencies will be pleased distinctly to inform me what steps have already been taken to this end and what fuithar measures are in contemplation to make known to Japanese subjects, here and elsewhere throughout the Empire, the obligations of Treaties and the right of all British subjects in Japan, to entire protection from insult or injury- With assurances of respect and consideration. (SignedJ) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 51 Inclosure 3 in No, 19. Notification, British Consulate-General, Yedo, July 12, 1859. IT is hereby publicly notified that the ratifications of the Treaty of Yedo, signed by the Plenipotentiaries of Great Britain and Japan on the 26th of August last, -were duly exchanged in this capital on the 11th instant. The provisions of the said Treaty, together with the Regulaations of Trade thereto attached, being now therefore in full force — binding and obligatory upon all British subjects, a copy of the same is annexed, that the necessary care may be taken not to infringe any of the stipulations of a Treaty by which they have bqen admitted to intercourse with Japan. It is further publicly made known that Her Majesty, having conferred upon the Undersigned, and the other Consular servants in Japan, full power and authority to maintain peace and goodwill among Her Majesty's subjects, it will be his duty to exert those powers to the utmost to secure this desirable end. It will.be equally his duty to co-operate with the Japanese authority to pi-event any infraction of the Treaty, or disturbance of the public peace, as vvell as to avert any interruption of the good understanding which it is for the interest of all parties should remain unimpaired ; and the Undersigned is determined to the full extent of his powers to secure these important objpcts, and rigorously to enforce the penalties provided for any wilful infraction of Treatv obligations. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul- General in Japan. Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Commerce, between Her Majesty and the Tycoon of Japan ; signed in the English, Japanese, and Dutch languages, at Yedo, August 26, 1858. [Presented to Parliament, January 24, I860.] Inclosure 4 in No. 19. The Japanese Ministers for Foreign Affairs to Mr. Alcock. (Translation.) WE have to acknowledge the receipt, on the 18th day of our 7th month, of a letter with an inclosure, respecting the publication of the Treaty, dated the 16th of August. We have understood that Her Britannic Majesty's subjects know the spirit and the contents of the Treaty, and that they are binding on them ; and that the friendly relations between Great Britain and Japan will be more firmly cemented every day. We also have made known the Treaty all over this country ; but in order to save time and tiie trouble of copymg it, and also to avoid mistakes being made, we have ordered it to be printed, and, as soon as it is finished, we will send you a copy. Politely and respectfully proposed. The 28th day of the 7th month of Ansei Hitsuzi (August 26th). (Signed; MANABE SIMOOSANO KAMI. WAKISAKA NAKATSUKANO TAYU. No. 20. Mr. Alcock to Lord J. Russell. — (Received November 10.) Mv Lord Yedo, September 3, 1859. REFERRING to my despatch of the 10th August, on the subject of passports, and free passage for the members of the Consular establishments here xi 2 52 • and at Kanagawa, from one place to the other, I have the honour to inclose translation of the reply received from the Ministers of Foreign Affairs. Your Lordship will perceive that instead of placing a permanent passport in my hands, the Ministers have sent a set of ten, to serve only for once, to each establishment, and expressed their readiness to send a further supply when these shall 1)6 exhausted. As they have ceased to dispute the right, for which 1 contended, of free access, and facility of transit between the two places, I have not thought it desirable to enter into further discussion as to the precise mode they have elected for giving effect to my views. And so the matter may be considered settled. I claimed unrestricted freedom, and they have urged the expediency or discretion in its exercise, and there is no intention of abusing it ; but, obvioiisly, my passage to Kanagawa, whenever 1 may deem it necessary or desirable to go there, must be at my discretion, and no one else's : and neither can the Japanese Government claim any right to limit the access of members of the Consulate at Kanagawa to the Consulate here, I have, &c, (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure in No. 20. The Japanese Ministers for Foreign Affairs to Mr. Alcoch. (Translation.) WE have to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of the 4th instant (2nd August), and understood your proposition respecting a passport you wished to have to enable the Consul at Kanagawa and your officers to travel thence and back without let or hindrance. As it is advisable a personal interview and discussion should take place, in case writing were not sufficient to settle any business, we have given orders to grant you your request ; although it is hoped it may not be had recourse to too frequently. If a personal interview were to be held for daily minor matters, the state of affairs would get into disorder ; even the regulations on the whole road would be insufficient, besides its being contrary to the Treaty. In your despatch mention is Mkewise made of " letters," and it would be advisable they should be made use of, whenever a personal discussion need not take place ; otherwise a gentleman would go one day and return the next leave in the morning and be back in the evening. By this means there would be a continual going atid coming on the road, and at last, under pretext of official business, it would be had resort to for pleasure, which could not properly be denied. Although British subjects might not do this, a privilege granted to one nation could not be denied to another ; therefore, in ordinary cases, we request you to make use of the post. In our country there are two sorts of posts, of which the official, intended for our officers, would not be denied to you, as it is conveyed by Government and at her expense ; the other, being a private post depends on the speed required, and is paid in proportion. ' it is natural that every country differing in customs will also differ in their laws and regulations. If your Excellency take this state of affairs into consideration, you wiU not object to the passports being issued beforehand. Respectfully and politely proposed. The 1 0th day of the 7th moon of the 6th year of Ansei Hitsuzi (August (Signed) OTA BINGONO KAMI MANABE SIMOOSANO KAMI. 53 No. 21. Mr. Alcock to Lord J. Russell. — {Received November 27.) My Lord, Yedo, September 7, 1859. IT is very satisfactory to me to be enabled, after a succession of despatches chiefly devoted to a recital of the impediments and difficulties encountered in the establishment of our relations with Japan, to report to your Lordship, as I now do, the satisfactory solution of nearly all the more compHcated and important questions between the Japanese Government and the Diplomatic Agents of Great Britain and America — the only foreign Representatives on the spot. The result of a personal interview with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs, two days ago, asked expressly for the purpose of bringing them, if possible, to some arrangement of a definite character, which should put an end to the difficulties connected with the currency, will be seen in the inclosed copy of a despatch to the Acting Consul at Kanagawa. After some time spent in demonstrating to them, and the Governors of Foreign Affairs, also present, and more cognizant with the facts and their bearing than the Ministers, who, as Damios, are little conversant with questions of commerce or exchange — that claims for loss and damage of a serious and cumulative character inevitably resulted in the existing state of affairs, I proposed that they should at once increase their silver currency to meet the new demand for foreign trade, by receiving from the foreign merchants any dollars they might desire to exchange, and recoin them into itzebous. To this they ultimately assented, undertaking in ten days to be prepared with dies to enable them to coin at the rate of 16,000 itzebous per diem. 1 am led to regard this as by far the simplest and most satisfactory mode of meeting the difficulty, and one which should be equally satisfactory to both parties. It may, indeed, interfere with some who desire to make a traffic by exporting the gold and silver coin of Japan, the former, at its present rate, yielding a profit of 100 per cent., and the latter some 6 or 7 per cent. But I have no doubt your Lordship will be disposed to agree with me, that the prevention of such traffic is one of its pecuUar recommendations ; and to this end I strongly urged them to increase the circulating value of their gold coinage. I cannot for a moment conceive that this exportation of Japanese coins was contemplated by any of the Contracting Powers,, as a desirable or legitimate object of trade, but the exchange of produce. And I am very certain that this last, and only ostensible object, cannot fail to be much prejudiced by any large dealings in the former. Of the claims of the merchants for losses from the non-issue of an adequate supply of Japanese coins, according to Article III of the Treaty — if these should be pressed after the deficiency has ceased' to embarrass trade — I will address your Lordship in another despatch. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure in No. 21. Mr. Alcock to Acting Consul Vyse. gjj. Yedo, September 6, 1859. IN a personal interview with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs yesterday, it was arranged that, ten days from this date, they should be prepared to receive at the Treasury at Yokuhama, for coining into itzebous, any dollars brought for that purpose by British subjects ; to be received by weight, and returned in like manner from the Mint in itzebous, weight for weight, free of charge, in tlie course As I am given to understand they will be enabled to coin 16,000 itzebous in the twenty-four hours, the delay in re-delivery is likely to prove very short.^ 54 But, in the first instance, and to prevent unnecessary trouble by small subdivi- sions, no amount under 1,000 dollars will be received for re-coinage, nor more than 5,000 from any one individual. You will be good enough to make this generally known to British subjects within your jurisdiction. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. No. 22. Mr. Alcock to Lord J. Russell. — (Received November 27.) My Lord, Yedo, September 7, 1859. I HAVE the further satisfaction of reporting the final and satisfactory- termination of the long-protracted discussions with the Japanese authorities, as to the selection of a site for the location of foreigners at Kanagawa, for purposes of trade in this bay. The inclosed copy of a despatch received 'yesterday from the Acting Consul at that place, announces that "the site for the foreign location has been finally determined and fixed upon," on either side of the fort : the sitfe originally recommended by the American Minister and myself as the best. This desirable concession has not been obtained, as your Lordship will be aware from the tenour of several preceding despatches, without much anxious effort, and very tedious negotiation. The Japanese Government began by building an expensive settlement on the opposite side of the bay where foreigners were, or would have been, consigned to a perfectly isolated position, several miles removed from any great thoroughfare or centre of population. To the first representations of the American Minister, as to mine, they treated the whole matter as out of the field of discussion — practically inexpedient, and otherwise impossible, in so far as regarded any location of merchants at Kanagawa Proper. , They then contended that Yokuhama, at the opposite side of the bay, was part of Kanagawa, and, therefore, could not be refused. It has only been step by step that they have been driven from these several positions, convinced that they were in effect untenable against the steady and determined opposition of the foreign Representatives, acting, as we were, in perfect accord. I deem it unnecessary to burden the archives of the Foreign OflSce with translations of the three communications from the Ministers, to which reference is made in the inclosed copies of my answers, first, because they are devoid of argument, and mainly consist of assertions quite devoid of truth, as to what had taken place in interviews with the Governors ; and, secondly, because they were merely intended for purposes of mystification and delay, and, therefore, had no real influence on the final solution now arrived at. The inclosed copies of my letters in reply, T send, however, as giving a tolerably complete resume' of the arguments which I have resorted to throughout the negotiations. I purpose in a few days riding over to Kanagawa, for the purpose of exammmg the site more m detail, and fixing upon the most eligible spot for the erection of a Consulate, which I propose, if possible, to induce the Japanese authorities to undertake, charging a fair rent, as I am aware this course would be deemed the best by Her Majesty's Government. The settlement of the Kanagawa site following in succession the equally satisfactory solution of existing difficulties about the currency and passports leaves the ground free of all serious impediments to trade and more friendly relations, which it shall now be my care to improve to the utmost. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. ,55 Inclosure 1 in No. 22. Acting Consul Vyse to Mr. Akock. ^^''' Kanagawa, September 6, 1859. I HAVE the honour to inform you that the site for the foreign location IS finally determined and fixed upon, and that foreigners are permitted to build on either side of the old fort at Kanagawa. I have also the honour to inform you that I now await your further instruc- tions as regards the nature of the notification necessary to he issued to British merchants, and also as regards what land regulations you would deem advisable to adopt. I have, &c. (Signed) F. HOWARD VYSE. Inclosure 2 in No, 22. Mr. Alcock to the Japanese Ministers for Foreign Affairs. Y£do, July 12, 1859. THE Undersigned, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul-General in Japan, has delayed answering the letters of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, dated respec- tively the 6th and 9th July, both referring to the location of the British at Kanagawa, until the more pressing 'business of the exchange of ratifications had been concluded. This having been ^satisfactorily terminated yesterday, with reciprocal declarations of the desire, of both Guvernments to maintain inviolate the Treaty of Friendship in all its conditions, the Undersigned proceeds, relying with confidence in the good faith of his Excellency the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Government of His Imperial Majesty, to the question of the most fitting site for the residence of the Consul and the location of British subjects at Kanagawa. The Consul-General considers nothing is to be gained by further discussing what took place between himself and the Governor of Kanagawa, and, subsequently, between that officer and Captain Vyse. Now that the Undersigned knows from the Minister for Foreign Affairs that the choice of two temples for temporary occupation at Kanagawa can be given, the difficulty previously existing, so far as the Consul's residence is concerned, is removed. It is not enough, however, to provide for the Consul. British merchants have also arrived, and the choice of a permanent place of location must be made with as little delay as possible in accordance with Article III of the Treaty. And as this matter has been referred by the Acting Consul to the Oo&S'' 1-General as one on which he could not agree with the local authority, it s, in the terms of the Treaty, for his Excellency and the Under- signed to come to a decision. The Undersigned, when at Kanagawa, examined the site which has been prepared by the Japanese Government in anticipation of the opening of the port on the bay opposite to that town ; also two sites, unoccupied for the greater part by houses, in the town, and otherwise very efigible. To the site apparently selected by the Japanese Government alone, without any concert with foreign Consuls or Representatives, the Undersigned sees many grave objections. It may have the one advantage alleged of behig more accessible at all times of the tide, but its isolation and removal from the main fine of communication with the capital, and the peculiar facilities the whole of the arrangements made appear to secure for limiting the dealings of foreigners to such Japanese merchants and traders alone as the Japanese Government may choose to license, or permit to take up their residence there, are disadvantages of the most serious nature. All limitation to free intercourse, or isolation of foreigners, from the popu- lation, is calculated to interfere with the development of trade, and the unre- sti-icted freedom expressly stipulated for in the Treaty so recently ratified. Whether such arrangements are made with the view of impeding intercourse, or not, they are calculated to sow distrust and doubt in the minds of all conceraaed as to the intentions of the Japanese authorities * and on that account, if for no Other reason, are to he avoided. In a word, this settlement, improvised by an 66 act of the Japanese authorities, too mlich resfembles, in all its tnain features, the humTliating position made for the Dutch at Decima. 200 years ago and the Se syst!nf of monopoly and restrictions so perseve^ngly -^^^^^^ A^^^^^^ be accepted now under recent Treaties by any foreign Power The Undersigned considers that Her Majesty's Government are entitled under the terms ot the Treaty according to the obvious intent of the words, "the ports aiid towns of Nagasaki, Kana|awa, &c.," to cfeim the choice of a location for British subjects at the place kSown and generally understood to be designated by the name of Kanagawa, that is, the town situated along the edge of the bay on each side of the Tocado, or great route of communication with the capital. Whether the opposite side of the bay, which the Japanese Government have now bmlt upon for foreigners, be more fitly called Yokuhama, or Kanagawa, it certainly was not known as Kanagawa by the foreign negotiators. The site of the town was plainly that referred to in the Treaty ; and if ultimately desired by foreign Repre- sentatives, cannot be refused without a violation of its provisions. _ The Undersigned, for his part, submits to the Minister for Foreign Affairs the superior eligibility of two sites in the town of Kanagawa, which Captain Vyse will point out to the Governor on the spot. If a temple, in which Gaptam Vyse can be temporarily accommodated, be assigned, and the Governor of Kanagawa instructed to examine, with the British Consul at Kanagawa, the above-specified sites, and report thereon, the Minister can then take the whole matter into consideration. To this end, and to avoid loss of time, the Consul- General will direct the Acting Consul Vyse to return to Kanagawa in a few days; to take up his residence there for the management of affairs. The Undersigned, &c. ^ , ^ ^^„„ (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 3 in No. 22. Mr. Alcock to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs. Yedo, July 19, 1859. THE Undersigned, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul-General in Japan, has has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from his Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs, dated the 18th instant, in reply to the Consul- . General's communication of the 12th, on the subject of a foreign location at the port of Kanagawa. The Undersigned, having duly weighed the statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has now to request his Excellency will receive this reply, as conveying his final opinion on the main questions at issue ; namely, the relative eligibility of a site at Yokuhama and a site at Kanagawa ; and, secondly, the right of the Diplomatic Agent of Great Britain, under the Treaty, to demand the selection of a site in Kanagawa for the permanent location of British subjects. The Undersigned has satisfied himself, by personal examination, that there are at least two sites in Kanagawa Proper, affording sufficient space, between the water's edge and the hills at the back, for the greater part unoccupied by houses, and quite adequate to the wants of foreign traders for many years to come, if they are allowed to lease the ground, and build for themselves the premises they require. This they are entitled to under the distinct stipulations of the Treaty, while the fear expressed by the Minister that no such place can be found, the Undersigned must believe without cause. The Undersigned has, therefore, no alternative but to request bis Excellency will, without delay, direct these sites to be examined by the Governor of Kanagawa in communication with the Consul of Great Britain, and the foreign Powers actually on the spot, that the selection may be made, and the merchants enter into possession of their stipulated rights before inconvenient claims arise for loss and prejudice, in consequence of obstacles interposed by the Japanese Government. The particular spot in Kanagawa which may be most fitly selected, is the only point the Undersigned can, under these circumstances, any looger consider open to discussion, as being the place 7|^^t^^;,I f ^^;f J^^ certain temples eligible. They were both excellent; and I have thus had the satisfaction of informing my French colleague on his arrival two days ago, and who naturally appealed to me at once for information and such assistance as I could afford, that a desirable residence was already provided and at his dispoBal, No. 24. Lord J. Russell to Mr. Alcock. gji- Foreign Office, December 3, 1859. HER Majesty's Government approve your proceedings with reference to the foreign location at Kanagawa, as reported in your despatch of the 7th of September.* I am, &c, (Signed) J. RUSSELL. No. 25. Lord J. Russell to Mr. Alcock. Sir, Foreign Office, December 8, 1859. I HAVE to acquaint you that the Queen has been graciously pleased to confer upon you the rank of Her Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Ministesr Plenipotentiary in Japan. I accordingly transmit to you a letter which the Queen has addressed to the Tycoon accrediting you in that character. You will lose no time in acquainting the Japanese Government that Her Majesty has been pleased to confer this appointment upon you, and that you are in possession of a letter from Her Majesty to the Tycoon accrediting you in that capacity. You will say that Her Majesty is convinced that the Tycoon will see in the appointment by Her Majesty of a Diplomatic Agent to reside at the Court of Japan, in the same character as the Diplomatic Agent appointed by Her Majesty to reside at the Court of China, unmistakeable evidence of the earnest desire of Her Majesty to cultivate relations of the strictest friendship with the Tycoon, and to mark the interest that she feels in the well-being of his Royal House, and in the prosperity of the dominions over which he holds sway. In the present state of our information as regards the habits and feelings of the Japanese Court, I am unable to prescribe to you any strict rules in regard to the manner in which Her Majesty's credential should be presented to the Tycoon. The proper course, and the one which is consonant with the usages of civiHzed nations, is that you should obtain an audience of the Tycoon, and place the letter in bis hands. But a state of things may exist in Japan, of which I am ignorant, and which may render it inexpedient that you should insist on such a course, and I must, therefore, leave to yqur discretion to determine what is best to be done. The course which may have been followed in this respect by the Represen- tatives of other Christian Powers may serve to guide you as to that which you - * No. 22. 5^ should yourself pursue ; but I, need hardly say that if admitted ta an audience of the Tycoon, you must not submit to any ceremonial inconsistent with your position as Her Majesty's Representative, nor consent to anything which may imply a recognition of superiority over Her Majesty on the part of the Tycoon. This restriction is imperative, whatever course the Representative of any other nation may have seen reason to adopt ; and the further restriction is equally imperative that you do not submit to be placed or treated in any respect in a manner implying inferiority on the part of Her Majesty with regard to other Powers. If circumstances should occasion you to absent yourself for a time from Japan, you will announce to the Japanese Government that during your absence, Mr. George Staunton Morrison, now Her Majesty's Consul at Nagasaki, or, failing him, Her Majesty's Consul next in seniority in Japan, is authorized to act as Her Majesty's Charg6 d'Affaires and Consul-General, and the same rule will hold good- in the event of your death, or of the death of the Charge d' Affaires' far the time being. I am, &c. (Signed) J. RUSSELL. No. 26., Lord J. Russell to Mr: Aleoch. (Extract.) Foreign Ofice, December 8, 1859. THE great distance by which Japan is separated from this country renders it, advisable to make provision for the contingency of your being, for any reason whatever, incapacitated from carrying on the combined Diplomatic and Consular duties entrusted to you by Her Majesty. I have therefore ta acquaint you that, in the event of your death or resignation, or of your absence from Japan from any other cause for such a length of time as to make it necessary to provide for the performance of your Diplomatic and Consular duties, Mr. George Staunton Morrison, Her Majesty's. Consul at Nagasakiy or, failing him. Her Majesty's Consul next in seniority in Japan, will, together with the duties of Her Majesty's Charg^ d'Affaires,. assume andexercisa for the time being the functions of Her Majesty's Comsul-General in Japan. No. 27. Lord J. Russell to Mr. Alcock. Sir, Foreign Office, December 10, 1859. I HAVE to convey to you my approval of your proceedings with respect to the disputed question of the currency in Japan, as reported in your despatch of the 7th of September last,* and I have to congratulate you on the success which has attended your negotiations for the settlement of that matter. I am, &c. (Signed) J. RUSSELL. No. 28. Mr. AJcocJc to Lord J. Russell. — {Received December 15.) (Extract.) Yedo, September 20, 1859. HAVING in view the political institutions and social condition of Japan at the present time, I am persuaded a long interval must follow, before any foreign trade can take a development which shall be in relation with its natural resources. Be these great, or small, as the State is now governed, no just proportion * No. 21. I 2 60 between such trade and resources can apparently be established. .A few words of explanation may suffice to show the grounds on which this opinion rests. The Government here is Ohgarchic rather than Monarchic. An oligarchy composed of all the hereditary Damios, proprietors of three-fourths of the soil, and with many attributes of sovereignty attacliing to their fiefs, constitutes^ a great Council of the nation, en permanence, since one half are always aj ledo. The Tycoon is httle more than their nominee and executive ; and tor the last generation or two, at least, the choice has always fallen on the candidate related to, and supported by, three or four of the most influential of the Damios. Thus constituting a permanent Council, they not only have a determining . infiu- ence over the action and policy of the Tycoon's Government, but are in a position to exercise an independent, and, to a great degree, an irresponsible power throughout the Empire, each in their several states or territories. As- chief proprietors of the soil, its products, and the various channels of commerce through their states, are inevitably subject to their control. They hold, more- over, a power of life and death over all within their territorial jurisdiction ; and the administration of justice is equally in their hands, uncontrolled, except in so far as established laws and customs may place any check on the arbitrary will of the Prince or his delegates. The way in which these conditions may work to the prejudice of any natural devlopement of trade and the resources of the country under existing Treaties, must be sufficiently obvious. Assume the whole of these territorial magnates or Damios, with feudal jurisdiction in their several territories, to be opposed in principle, by convictions based on poUtical considerations of its impoUcy, and still more by deep-rooted prejudice, to any freedom of intercourse with foreigners, or extension of their relations with European Powers, and it will be evident that independent of all action .of theirs collectively, as a Council, upon the Government which they in effect place in office, itheir influence individually in their own territories will amply suffice to prevent the success of any other poircy. Yedo and the two ports of Nagasaki and Hakodadi are^ severally in the Imperial domain, but the domains of the Damios intercept all the hnes of commerce to and from the interior and the great centres of trade or produce. No trade, therefore, to any extent can take development without their consent. They have but to will it, for instance, to prevent coal being either worked or dispatched to the ports. The coal mines are all their property, so far as I can learn. So of copper, lead, silver and all the other, sources of mineral wealth, in which there is good reason for believing the country abounds. Although these may not be all in their possession, yet their influence will always suffice to prevent their being worked to advantage, or for the benefit of the foreign trade. To prevent silk being cultivated beyond the native demand, vegetable wax, and various other natural products which might feed the foreign market, must to them be easy work. Still more easy will it be to the Damios in the provinces to prevent such free circulation of foreign coins in the interior as can alone render foreign trade independent of the action of the Government for the supply . of Japanese coin ; and in great measure above the fluctuations or arbitrary changes to which the monetary system of Japan appears to be subject from time to time, according to the policy or wants of the Government. With these explanatory remarks on the general conditions under which the Treaty is now being slov/ly and partially brought into operation, if we turn to the immediate results it will be found that as far as foreign trade has hitherto taken any development (confined almost exclusively to Nagasaki), the natural tendency of things has been to make China and our Chinese trade, in connection' with minor interests of the Dutch and other settlements in the Straits, the connecting link by which a Japanese and foreign trade is to be established, and the preHminary step to any more direct extension westward. The exports from China, the Straits, and Batavia, of sapan wood and other produce of infinite variety, with a few British-manufactured goods, and the import to China, in exchange, of quite as numerous a list of products of Japanese growth, chiefly edibles, bicho de mar, seaweed, dried mushrooms, ginseng, &c., have supplied the first elements of a foreign trade ; that is, a trade employing foreign ships and capital, and under foreign guidance. But with the exception of a few watches and toys on the part of Holland, some cottons and fancy articles from us, and a cargo or two of lacquer ware sent to Europe, everything in the way of a' direct 61 trade with the 'West is yet at its very commenGement, and without any great promisib of development. Even in the beginnings made by an interchange of Chinese and Japanese edibles, &c., we have been met by a formidable obstacle in certain vested interests and monopolies of old date. The Chinese, who have a co-hong, or colony, in Nagasaki, have had the exclusive privilege of dealing in many of these articles for the last two centuries, on which their trade has existed. No note of this seems to have been taken in any of the Treaties, and all naonopoHes are by their, provisions at an end. But hke some animals of low vitality, such monopohes are hard to kill outright in Japan. Nominally put an end to, they continually reappear, with unmistakeable signs of life. At Nagasaki, hitherto the only centre of trade, a still greater difficulty opposed to all progress exists in a vicious • system of trading guilds with exclusive privileges, in which the most active and deeply interested partners are Government, Treasury, and Custom-house employes. Their participation in the trading operations is disavowed, but not the less real; including nearly the whole number, from the Governor downwards. Your Lordship will readily perceive how fatal such a state of things must be to all progress or development of foreign trade, and how difficult it will be to overcome such obstacles. The Consul's last despatch shows that hitherto little or no advance has been made, and it will no doubt require long and patient, as well as energetic efforts on the part of the foreign Representatives in Japan, aided by all the perseverance and enterprise of fareign merchants, before such impediments as these can be removed. Yet until this is effected, and the disavowed, but undoubted, interference of Government officials between Japanese and foreign dealers is entirely got rid of, it is very certain all freedom of trade under the provisions of the Treaties must be a delusion. Taking, then, into consideration these various circumstances, thus largely grouped for the sake of brevity — the general inimity of the Damio class to all extension of foreign relations or commerce ; the monetary and currency ques- tions, which have already given so much trouble ; the long-guaranteed Chinese monopoly, and still more formidable system of official trading interests ; and lastly, the prevalence of a political economy opposed to all unfettered trade, if npt to all foreign trade, especially to the unrestricted workings of mines, whether of coals or metals, and to all improved methods of working, as tending, by machinery, to diminish the demand for labour — the prospects of any large or rapid development of foreign trade in this country cannot be considered promising. Were it only the very generally received opinions throughout the nation of the danger of exhausting the mineral resources of the country, and the impolicy and injustice of doing so, if even for their own profit in any one generation, the obstacles in our path would be great ; for no mineral or other product the Japanese possess could be so valuable to us as a good steady supply of the best coal. All mineral products are looked upon as in great part the inheritance of posterity, being, unlike the produce of the soil, unsusceptible of reproduction, and, therefore, they hold not at the disposal of any one generation save for its own reasonable and immediate wants. Taking, I say, these varous conditions into consideration, I think it is evident that all progress must be. slow and uncertain; and to insure ariy, may demand efforts which will seem, in the first instance, at least, greatly disproportioned to the interests actually at stake, whether commercial or political. The possible and ultimate proportions those interests may take in either dii:ection have, no doubt, to be weighed in the same scales with those that are both probable and proximate; since each has its legitimate place in any deter- mination to be taken, either as to the establishment or the extent and character of the efforts it may be deemed expedient to make, to advance and safeguard our interests in these seas. Japan has the credit of being a cheap country, and to the Japanese I can readily beheve it is ; although if I were to credit the asseverations with which the Government officials back the most extortionate prices, I should say in all, except rice and French beans, it is the dearest countrj' I have visited. I put aside, their evidence, however, as too palpably made to sustain a system of exaction they spend all their time in carrying to peufection at my cost— veritable parasites inflicted upon us by the Government, nominally for our convenience and protection, but in reahty to watch and feed upon us, whom neither Mr. Harris nor Ihave yet succeeded in dislodging. But either from' this official interference, or a tendency of the people, not pecuhar to Japanese I fear, to take advantage of the foreigner and stra-nger, lean well, believe- notKng- has er been obtained by us at its fab value in the country. Add to this the fact that Englishmen cannot live in this country an^ keep thefe health, even if they caxdd appearances, upon rice, fish, and coarse vegetables, the only things I know which are both common and cheap in Japan ; and at Yedo, even fish must be excepted, for it is often very dear. Pork and fowls, ducks and pigeons, do exist, and are all to be had more or less frequently at moderate rates. But mutton or beef,, or any of the etceteras that make up the most homely table in Europe, are none l. each). Dressed deer-skins, soft, and well prepared as leather, with rather graceful printed patterns stamped on surface, cost about a dollar each. For leather-covering to chairs and furniture, and various other uses, these might come into play, and in wholesale rnight probably be obtained cheaper. Pheasants, wild duck, deer, and wild boars, as well as bears, seem to be abundant in the island. These small contributions to any foreign trade that may arise lie on the surface, as it were, and first attract attention. But behind these are two principal elements — lead, a" large mine existing within tw-enty miles, and sulphur, chiefly brought from Sulphur Island, one of the Loochoos, but abundant every- where in Japan, in this island as in the others ; for Nature has liberally gifted all with volcanoes, in constant activity. I visited the lead mines, and saw many evidences of the richness of the veins. They extend through a range of hills about five miles inland from the sea, and are worked by adits and shafts, but in a primitive and rude way, with no apphances of machinery or aid of modern science. His Excellency the Governor, on my return, was anxious to learn from me whether, on comparing it with the mines m Europe, there was great room for improvement, and I told him undoubtedly there was ;- and that all the means we possessed were now at the command of the Japanese Government, if they chose to take measures for securing them. The Governor assures me they only produce lead for their home demands, and these are Hmited very nearly to what is required for ball practice. This is his statement, a very warhke one, as I remarked to him, with.. a smile. What they do produce, or how many men are employed, I had no means of discovering. 'The ore is said to contain a large per-centage of silver, as much as 10 per cent. L 2 76 Lead, if the Japanese would sell it, sulphur, and furs, then, appear to be the chief elements of a foreign trade at Hakodadi, at the present moment. J he Governor presented me with a fine piece of stone, resembhng the Turkey stone in use for hones, and a piece of striped silk, as some of the produce ot the place. The former might possibly supply an article of export. Sea- weed and other edibles in request as articles on luxury to the Chmese, salted and dried salmon, potatoes, &c., may all help to fill up ships on the hne to and from Chma and the Japanese ports. What the foreign merchant is to bring m return, as imports, to enable him to barter for these, is not very clear. An American brought, last year, a cargo of 60,000 dollars' worth of cottons, woollens, &c. ; a quantity so wholly disproportioned to the probable, or possible, wants of a place like this, that it had the effect of checking what Httle demand might Otherwise have existed, since the Japanese jumped to the conclusion that they must bfe sold, at any sacrifice, and would not bid for them according to their value : the greater part are now being re-exported to China. In the first instance, it is probable the exports from hence must chiefly be bought with bullion. To- obviate further difficulty about the circulation of foreign coins at their legitimate value, or their exchange for Japanese, the authorities here propose to stamp ail the dollars, &c., that may be brought to them for that purpose, with Japanese characters, indicating their exact worth in the coinage of the couritry. If no trickery or abuse be engrafted on the original proposition, 1 think it promises well and is unobjectionable, as a means of temporarily relieving commerce of aa existing difficulty. In other respects Hakodadi has many things in its favour. It possesses a noble and secure bay, easily accessible, with good anchorage and deep water over a great extent. The people are without hostiUty and of a quiet habit. No Dutch relations have ever existed here, nor long-estabHshed monopolies and exactions to deteriorate the position of foreigners by centuries of evil precedent. All these are so many conditions of good augury for the future. One thing alone seems wanting to give it all the preliminaries of success ; and that is, regular and frequent postal communication with the other open ports and China. The Peninsular and Oriental Company have supplied the Hnk wanting between Shanghae and Nagasaki by a bi-monthly steamer. The Russian Consul at Hakodadi has concerted means with me, by the aid of Russian gun-boats under his orders, for establishing very shortly a monthly communication between Hakodadi and Yedo, on the understanding that I on my part may be able, in communication with the Admiral commanding-in-chief on the China Station, to establish a like monthly communication between Nagasaki »and Yedo. I shall lose no time in addressing the Admiral on the subject, and forward him a copy of this despatch for his information. It will be of course for him to determine how far he has means at command to effect this object, and what is required to that end. But I conceive one of the SO horse-power gun-boats, or a despatch boat, would be essential, in addition to a larger class vessel, required to show from time to time, and lie for short intervals at the different ports. I found one British resident as a merchant, and two Americans, one of whom has been the commercial agent of the United States, but is about to leave for San Francisco. No merchant of any other nation is at Hakodadi, and every- thing is at its first commencement. There were thirty whalers anchored in the bay last year, twenty-nine of which were American and the remaining one French. A Russian corvette and a gun-boat were at Hakodadi when we arrived. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. No. 35. Mr. Alcock to Lord J. Russell. — {Received December 30.) My Lord, Yedo, Octoler 22, 1859. I FIND, on my return from Hakodadi, that nothing lias occurred in my absence requiring remark. I have brought back bullion from the Governor of Hakodadi, I suppose to replace the 40,000 itzebous sent by the " Highflyer ;" also despatches. Our relations here are on a much improved footing since my first arrival. 77 From Nagasaki Mr. Consul Morrison still complains that the same battle which had to be fought here, in the commencement, as to currency, exchange of dollars, choice of site, and general inattention for demands made upon the authorities, continues without change. During my absence, however, a very large sum in itzebous (in accordance with many and continued representations on my part) have been forwarded by a Japanese steamer to Nagasaki — some 120,000, and 10,000 tempos, a copper coin of 100 cash ; also, a further amount has been sent overland, and I trust the effect of these may be to release trade at that port. Some broils and disturbances also have taken place in the streets at Nagasaki, between foreigners and Japanese ; but, so far as I can learn, not always due to the misconduct or acts of aggression on their part. In time, with perseverance and patience, I trust all difficulties and causes of complaint there and here will be got over, and our relations may ultimately, I believe, take the friendly and permanent form at all the ports which it is so obviously the interest of both countries to maintain. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. No. 36. Lord J. Russell to Mr. Alcock. Sir, Foreign Office, January 3, 1860. HER Majesty's Government approve your proceedings as reported in your despatch of the 20th of October, on the occasion of the installation of" Mr. Hodgson as Her Majesty's Consul at Hakodadi. I am, &c. (Signed) J. RUSSELL. No. 37. Mr. Alcock to Lord J. Russell. — (Received January 29, 1860.) My Lord, Yedo, November 10, 1859. IN my despatch of the 3rd [September,* I reported, in connection with the arrival of Count Mouravieff and a large Russian squadron, the murder of one of his officers and a sailor in Yokuhama, early in the evening, and close to the principal thoroughfare. I have now the honour to place before your Lordship in the inclosed corre- spondence, officially communicated to me by Captain Ounkovsky, the commander of the Russian frigate " Askold," the result of the demands made upon the Japanese Government for satisfaction. The conditions insisted upon were three : — 1st. That a deputation of the highest dignitaries should go on board the frigate and express their regret. 2ndly. That the Governors of Yokuhama should be dismissed and degraded. 3rdly. That the murderers should be apprehended by a given date, and executed in presence of Russian officers, on the spot where the murder took place. And to these was appended a further condition, which the Japanese seemed to consider the most burdensome of all, that they should keep a guard in perpetuity over a mortuary chapel to be erected over the graves of the murdered men. The deputation, of whom consisting I know not, was sent. The Governors were reported to have been degraded ; and they certainly were removed from their posts ; and a-s to the third and principal condition, the Japanese expressed their perfect willingness to decapitate the offenders when found, but declared that up to the date of Captain Ounkovsky's final interview, they had been unable to obtain any trace of them. The chapel they undertook to guard in pepetuity, after some demur at the eternal nature of the obligation imposed, and its cost. ■ * No. 18. 78 With these results, and which it must be confessed were all that seemed attainable. Captain Ounkovsky declared himself satisfied. He could not obviously insist upon what might be an impossibility— the discovery ard, seizure of the murderers, and, unfortunately, if either at the time or later the alleged criminals were produced, there are no means of identification. If under any menace or greater pressure, therefore, men had been apprehended and executed,^ there could be no security that they were the real perpetrators of the murder. .1 am inclined to think, therefore, that a wise discretion was exercised in not further insisting upon this condition. I am sorry to have to report, another and somewhat similar occurreace on the same spot, a few days ago, in which the Chinese servant of the, representative of a British firm was" the victim. The inclosed documents will put jowc Lordship in possession of all the facts and attendant circumstances, so far as thev are yet known. ' These documents consist of Captain Vyse's letter reporting the fact, and inclosing a notification he had issued to the British community, followed by my answer, and a subsequent notification written at my suggestion, in modification of the first, the tenour of which appeared to me open to dangerous misconstruc- tion by those to whom it was addressed. My reply to the Acting Consul fully expftains the view I take of the occurrence, the probable cause, and the danger of sweeping conclusions impU- cating the whole population of the place, or the Japanese as a people, in these isolated acts of violence, which are more likely to have been instigated by personal grounds of quarrel than by a national feeling of hostilitj'^, in this last instance more especially. Looking, indeed, to the indiscreet conduct, to use the mildest term, of many, if not all the foreign residents ; the innumerable and daily recur- ring causes of dispute and irritation between the Japanese officials of all grades and the foreign traders, both as to the nature of the trade they enter into, and the mode in which they conduct it, open in many instances to grave objection, I cannot wonder at the existence of much ill-feeling. And when to these sources of irritation and animosity among the official classes, are added the irregularities, the violence, and the disorders, with the continual scenes of drunkenness incident to a seaport, where sailors from men-of-war and merchant-ships are allowed to come on shore, sometimes in large numbers, 1 confess, so far from sharing in any sweeping conclusions to the prejudice of the Japanese, I think, as I have said, the rarity of such retaliative acts of violence on their part is a striking testimony in their favour. It does not follow, hovi^ever, that I consider our position at the present moment all that could be desired, or that I see reason to be satisfied with the prospects of improvement. That foreigners have, without distinction of nation, the enmity of a large class of feudal Princes. and their retainers, who," more especially in Yedo and its vicinity, where the number of the latter is large, must ever, while such animus continues, make the residence of foreigners more or less dangerous, is too evident to be disputed. Were the Damios even less actively hostile, their numerous bodies of armed retainers in the capital and on the high road to Kanagawa would make the streets and thoroughfares insecure. The happy state of order and obedience to law on which Kasmpfer and Thunberg have been so eloquent, and more recent writers recording fii^st impressions have still further embroidered, are pic- tures which have but little foundation, in real'ity. These ai-med retainers drunken, dissolute, and quarrelsome in their cups, are the terror of all the more. peaceable inhabitants, and dangerous to encounter, as I have had personal experience. The Government, in the hands of the more retrograde and preju- diced of the body of Damios, while wilHng to keep appearances, often but lU-disguise the distaste with which they regard all their forced relations witb foreign Powers and their subjects— for so only can they justly be characterized;. It matters not that force was not actually employed ; it was the belief in the power and wilUngness to use it which prevailed. They neither desire ou^ trade nor our friendship ; though not altogether ready to incur our enmity by refusing both. All commercial and political relations under such circumstances must be in great degree unsatisfactory and unpromising for the future were there no other grounds of distrust and irritation. But our own people, and the foreigners generally-few as they are m number who have found thefi- way to the open ports— take care there shall be no lack of these. Utterly reckless of the future • 79 intent only on profiting, if pcfssiHe, by tlie present moment, to the utmost ; regardle&s of Treaties or future consequences, they are wholly engaged just now in shipping off all the gold currency of Japan. This can only be effected surreptitiously, in defiance of Japanese laws and edicts, and with small regard to Treaty objects or obligations. Any co-operation, therefore, with the Diplomatic Agents of their I'espective countries, in their efforts to lay the foundations of a permanent, prosperous, and mutually beneficial commerce between Japan and western nations, is out of the question. On the contrary, it is the merchants who, no doubt, create the most serious difficulties. It may be all very natural, and what was to have been anticipated, but it is not the less embarrassing. And in estimating the difficulties to be overcome in any attempt to improve the aspect of affairs, if the ill-disguised enmity of the governing classes, and the indisposition of the Executive Government to give any practical effect to the Treaties be classed among the first and principal of these, the unscrupulous 'character and dealings of foreigners who frequent the ports for purposes of trade are only second, and scarcely inferior in importance, from the sinister nature of tbe influence they exercise. The task which devolves upon the Diplomatic Agents at Yedo at the present moment is rather, therefore, to make head against immediate dangers and evils which threaten to make their position in the capital untenable, and all future trade impossible, than to reap the better fruit so sanguinely anticipated by many. Such fruit must be of slow growth in this soil, and, if ever matured, can only be gathered after much toil and care and patience have been bestowed on its cultivation. I have given this glance at our general position, which undergoes many alternations of good and evil, that your Lordship may understand more fully the aim and spirit in which the inclosed official communication to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs here has been written. In referring to the recent attempt to assassinate, and the urgent necessity for such measures as shall prevent crimes of this kind taking place with impunity, I have taken occasion to bring before them an incident in Yedo, which it required but the turning of a straw to have made as tragic as the event at Yok:uhama, and all the more untoward that the victim in this case might have been Her Majesty's Representative. As regards the population there is little to complain of, or to fear. Any hostihty they may heretofore have shown, I am satisfied, was not spontaneous, but got up by the hostile Damios, or the Government. Here, as in China, it is all of mandarin or official growth. If I had any hesitation in so charging them before, all doubt has passed from my mind since I have seen how surely, after it had been allowed to manifest itself with great violence for several weeks, it suddenly and entirely ceased. I rode through the city from one end to the other, a week ago — through the most crowded throughfares — over the " Niponbas," the centre where never foreigner had been allowed to penetrate, but a short time before, without popular tumult and a volley of stones ; and not a hand or a voice was raised, neither there nor' during the whole course of my ride of some ten miles. Yet, the other day, nearly at the gate of my own residence, I was in danger of either seeing a defenceless servant cut down, or being so dealt with myself in the effort to rescue him, by parties of drunken and ill-disposed officers, against which contingencies no precautionary measures whatever appear to be taken by the Government. When I state to your Lordships, therefore, that the first care of the foreign Representatives is to secure their own lives, in other words, to make a residence in Yedo tenable for Diplomatic Agents, I think it will be clear that I do not overestimate the importance of better means of protection being devised by the Japanese Government than they have hitherto seemed disposed to adopt, and not only to secure foreign Representatives in the capital from violence, but the persons and property of foreigners at the port. These are the first conditions of any permanent relations, and these once secured, it will be more easy to devote an undivided attention to the removal of other evils and dangers,, with which both the Government and .the- foreign Agents must successfully grapple, before any good or satisfactory results can be derived from the Treaties. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 80 Inclosure 1 in No. 37. Captain Ounkovsky to Mr. Alcock. Sir, " Askold" Bay of Kanagawa, September \^, 1859. I RECEIVED the commission from Count MouraviefF Amoursky, on the occasion of the murder of a Russian officer and a sailor from the Russian corvette the "Griden," hy the Japanese at Yokuhama, to remain here with the frigate " Askold," at the orders of the Representatives of all foreign nations at Yedo and Kanagawa, in case they will want the assistance of the frigate for their safety, rtill the arrival of another man-of-war ; and at tiie same time to induce the ^Japanese Government to execute the satisfaction required for the murder .^committed at Yokuhama. On the Ifth of September, I received a letter from the High Council of the Japanese Empire, by which it engages itself to execute all the demands I had the commission to require. I have the honour to forward to you the copy of this letter and the copy of my answer to the Japanese High Council, and to inform you at the same time that, having fulfilled my commission, and a French man-of-war remaining in the Bay of Yedo, I leave Japan in two or three days. Believe me, &c. , (Signed) T. OUNKOVSKY, Aide-de-camp of His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, Captain of the First Class. Inclosure 2 in No. 37. The Japanese High Council to Captain Ounkovsky. (Translation.) x\FTER four conferences of the Governors of Foreign Affairs with the Aide-de-camp of His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, Captain of the First Class Ounkovsky, about the murder committed at Yokuhama on a Russian officer and a sailor, the High Council of the Japanese Empire has been informed that the satisfaction required by Captain Ounkovsky consists of the following Articles : — (a.) A deputation of the highest dignitaries must come on board the frigate " Askold," and present excuses, in the presence of the Russian officers and the crew, for the unfortunate accident happened at Yokuhama. (b.) The Governor of the town must be dismissed and deprived of his dignities ; and (c.) The murderers must be found till the ^th of September (the 28th of the eighth month, Japanese date), and punished with death in presence of the Russian officers and the crew, on the place where the murder was committed. The first Article has been executed immediately after the demand ; the second Article has been executed on the ^fth of September (the 28th of the eighth month, Japanese date) ; the Governors of Yokuhama, Miznb Tsikogono Kami and Kato Ikino Kami, are dismissed and deprived of their dignities. In regard, to the third Article, the High Government of Japan declares his entire readiness for the unconditional execution of this Article, if only the murderers will be found to the designed term. But as the murderers, notwithstanding the most active measures taken by the High Government to find them, were not found to the designed term, the High Government of Japan takes the obligation as soon as the criminals will be found, after the departure of the frigate " Askold" from Yedo, to inform about it immediately to the Russian Imperial Consnl at Hako- dadi, and the Representatives of all for'eign nations at Yedo and Kanagawa, and punish the criminals with death on the place where the murder was committed,, as it is said in the third Article, in presence of the signified persons, if they will desire to assist. The Japanese High Government engages itself to take the chapel which will be built over the grave of the murdered Russians, and about which the Aide-de- camp of His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, Captain of the First Class Ounkov- sky, has spoken on the Conferences, under his protection for perpetual times The 29th of the eighth month of the sixth year of Ansei Hitsiee (Signed) MANABE SIMOOSANO KAMI WAKISAKA NAKATSUKASANO TAJU. .81 Inclosure 3 in No. 37. Captain Ounkovsky to the Jfipanpse High Council. September -g-f, 1859. IN consequence of the relation I have received from the first members of the High Council of the Japanese Empire, Manabi Simosano Kami, Waxisaxa Naxatsuxasano Taj us, I have the honour to inform their Excellencies that, although by the execution of the first two Articles of my claim, the satisfaction required for the murder of a Russian officer and a sailor at Yolcuhama is not entirely fulfilled in presence of the frigate " Askold " at Yedo ; bat considering the active measures and the efforts undertaken by the High Government of Japan to find the murderers, I do not doubt that after the frigate " Askold" will have left Yedo the criminals will be found, and punished with death at Yokuhama, on the place where the murder was committed, in presence of the Representatives of the foreign nations, if they only will desire to assist, and in presence of the Russian Consul at Hakodadi, i£ the circumstances will allow him to arrive at Kanagawa for this occasion. I have no doubt, also, that the engagement given by the High Government of Japan, "to guard by its protection, for perpetual times, the chapel which will be built over the graves of the murdered Russians at Yokuhama," will be fulfilled, in all exactitude. The punctual and constant observation of the aforesaid conditions will satisfy to the demands over the execution of which I have the commission to watch. I shall send a report about it to my Government with the authentic jelatioh I have received from their Excellencies. I beg, &c. (Signed) T. OUNKOYSKY, Aide-de-camp of His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, Captain of the First Class. Inclosure 4 in No! 37. Acting Consul Vyse to Mr. Alcock. gir Kanagawa, November 6, 1S59. I HAVE the honour to inform you, and that not without deep regret, that on Saturday last, the 5th instant, between the hours of 5 and 6 p.m., another cold, horrible, bloody assassination was committed by a Japanese officer .upon one of Mr. Loureiro's Chinamen, all of whom are English subjects. The man is sadly mutilated, and but small hopes are entertained for his hfe. I have also the honour to inform you, for your satisfaction, that I have every reason to believe that the present Governors are willing, and have given proofs of the same, to catch the assassin if possible ; and I saw when over at Yokohama, his efforts to that effect, namely, Yokuhama strongly guarded on all points by sea and laud by every exit. I remained myself over there till past 5 o'clock this mormng, endeavounng to arrive at some satisfactory clue, but alas ! none ; only that the attempt to murder was committed by two men, one of them placing a lantern in the Chinaman's face, and the other, who cut him down, both of them having been evidently laying in wait for some one. I have communicated with Captain Shadwell, who will defer his departure until he shall have heard from you, and desired me to inform you that this extra delav will prevent the " Highflyer" calling at Nagasaki as he expected. 'l regret extremely being obliged to report to you such bad news, and more 'especially as it not only convinces me of the non-improvement in the aspect of affairs in general throughout Japan, and that all very shortly ere this we had thought and hoped a vast change for the better, proves was only a lull, and that a storm was brewing elsewhere. ir. ^ i i. I-have also the honour to inform you that I took it upon, myselt to deter- mine that, should the perpetrator of this- cowardly bloody act be caught, that he will be deliverpd into your hands, to deal with as it may seem best. I have, &c. (Signed) , F. HOWARD VYSE. ■ \ ' M 82 Inclosure 5 in No. 37. Acting Consul Vyse to Mr. AlcocJc. f.. Kanagawa, November 6, 1859. ' I HAVE the honour to forward, for your inspection, a copy of a notification I have deemed it necessary to issue, for the safety of the British at Yokuhama, to enable them to guard against those dastardly and cold-blooded assassmationa, if possible, to which, I grieve to say, the Japanese are so prone. T TlHLVG &C (Signed) ' R HOWARD VYSE. Inclosure 6 in No. 37. Notification. British Consulate, Kanagawa, November 6, 1859. THE Undersigned, Her Britannic Majesty's Acting Consul at Kanagawa, desires all British subjects will, for the future, go about always armed as much as possible, for their own personal safety, as regards a revolver, or any other deadly weapon they may be able to obtain ; and the Undersigned gives free permission to, and hopes that all British subjects will give free use to the same, on any reasonable provocation, as regards the Japanese, whether official or non-official. ,^„ (Signed) F. HOWARD VYSE. Inclosure 7 in No. 37- Mr. Alcock to Acting Consul Vyse. Sir, Yedo, November 6, l8o9. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches of this date, with copy of notification recently issued by you to the community of Kanagawa. I learn with great regret that a Chinese, in the employment of Mr. Loureiro, representing a British firm, though not himself a British subject, has been set upon by some Japanese, and dangerously wounded ; and I approve of the promptitude and decision with which you proceeded to the spot, and endeavoured to gain some clue to the perpetrators of an assault of a very cowardly and vindictive character. I cannot, however, so readily concur in some of the opinions expressed in your despatch, nor altogether approve of the tenour of your notification. Whether there existed any special cause of hostility, or not, between the Chinese and his assailants, I think it is premature to decide. It does not appear that plunder was the object ; and yet there must have been a motive : and it is more Hkely to have been some personal ground of quarrel than a mere general dislike on the part of a Japanese to Chinamen. That the Chinese should deny all knowledge of provocation on his part is naturally to be expected from one of a class who have no habitual respect for truth, and can rarely be induced to speak it. His denial, at all events, proves nothing; and I am not justified, upon the strength of his assertion, and the occurrence of an isolated act . of violence, in drawing a sweeping and condemnatory conclusion against the Japanese people. Considering how much provocation they receive from the class of foreigners who frequent a seaport, not always sober, and still more often indiscreet, I consider the rare occurrence qf any acts of violence a remarkable testimony in . their favour. These considerations lead me to bfFer one or two brief remarks upon the tone and tenour of your wtification. In an exceedingly small community 83 of foreigners, such as exists at Yokuhama, in the midst of a population to which they are alien, such an occurrence as that to which you refer has a tendency to create exaggerated panic and excitement, from whence much mischief may arise. It is the part of a puhlic authority, in the exercise of a sound judgment, to moderate and counteract such mischievous tendencies ; and while he teaches them to place reliance upon his legal and prompt action in the case, to deter them from taking the law into their own hands. Your notification is certainly not well adapted to this end. I do not see that there was any necessity — looking to the habits of the persons addressed — to call upon them to arm, or incite them freely to use deadly weapons at their discretion. I confess I look with some alarm at the possible consequences of so injudicious a licence from the British au;thority on the spot; and if any loss of life followed, I do not think, while that notification is unrescmded, that you could stand acquitted of blame. You yourself report, and freely admit, that the efforts made by the Japanese authori- ties were most satisfactory, and marked both by energy and pi'omptitude. I cannot see, therefore, that because a Chinese servant has met with some rufiians in the streets, and been seriously injured, that there was any ground for sounding an alarm for the personal safety of foreigners, who habitually have arms at their disposal, and are not likely to require any authoritative injunction to resort to them if they saw their lives or property in danger. And some of them, at least, I consider very unsafe depositaries of such a licence as you have given in your notification. I must hope, therefore, that, by the time this reaches you, some of the effervescence the assault seems to have created may have subsided, and that the course taken by the Japanese authorities will fully justify you in addressing the British under your jurisdiction in a tone of greater confidence, both as to the protection it is in your power, by legal means, to afford, and to the absence of any imminent danger or risk of injury. I trust you will, on receipt of this, lose no time-in issuing another notification, rescinding so much of the one under consideration as involves you in the responsibility of sanctioning the ready use of " deadly weapons on any reasonable provocation" at the discretion or judgment of persons who may not always be very competent to decide, either wisely or rightly, under any provocation, at the spur of the moment. In reference to the concluding paragraph of your despatch, I trust you have not made any requisition to the Japanese authorities to give up the perpetrators, if discovered, into my hands. It would be in direct violation of express provisions and the whole spirit of our Treaty, which most carefully stipulates for the exclusive jurisdiction of each Government over its own subjects. I will only further remark, that you 'are scarcely authorized in assuming that any Chinese in Japan is, or can be, a British subject, because he may have had a domicile, or even hold property in a British colony. One thing is very certain, .that, in spite of any naturalization our Colonial Government at Hong Kong can give, a natural-born Chinese subject, the moment he sets foot again on Chinese territory, becomes, to all intents and purposes, a Chinese subject, and the right of his own Sovereign over him cannot be disputed. Under such circumstances, I am not by any means prepared to accept as British subjects the following of Chinese servants and others who may locate themselves in the Japanese territory. Of course, while they are in the service of a British subject, they will, during .good conduct, receive, in a certain sense, the protection of the British flag ; but this is neither without limit, nor without conditions. In the present instance, therefore, I have to direct you to co-operate cordially with the Japanese Governors in their efforts to detect and seize the offenders, and to restore confidence among all classes. The safety of a few isolated foreigners in the midst of this population will never be best consulted by showing unreasonable alarm or excitement on the appearance of danger. I shall expect to hear further from you on the subject very shortly, that I may determine whether my presence is required, or otherwise calculated to be teaeficial. (Signed) ' RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. M 2 84 Inclosure 8 in No. 37. Notification, British Consulate, Kanagawa, November 7, 1859. THE Undersigned, Her Britannic Majesty's Acting Consul at Kanagawa, begs to inform all British subjects at Yokuharaa, that he has this day received orders from Her Britannic Majesty's Consul-General in Japan to rescind the last Notification, No. 18, issued by the Undersigned: Her Britannic Majesty's Consul-General in Japan deeming it unnecessary for British subjects at Yokuhama to go about armed, excepting when it is dusk ; after having received such assurance from the Japanese authorities at Yokuhama of every possible means being now taken to ensure the capture of the perpretator of the late horrible assassination. The Undersigned further begs to caution all British subjects as to how they make use of their arms ; having by this Notification been informed that they are not carry arms, excepting in the dusk of the evening, and even then to' be extremely cautious as to what use they make of them; (Signed) F. HOWARD^VYSE, Her Britannic Majesty's Acting Consul. Inclosure 9 in No. 37. Mr. Alcock to the Japanese Ministers for Foreign Affairs. Yedo, November 8, 1859. ON the evening of the 6th, between 5 and 6 o'clock, while yet only dusk, a Chinese servant in the sprvice of Mr, Loureiro was set upon by two men : one thrust a lantern in his face to blind him, and another, apparently an officer carrjing two swords, desperately wounded and attempted to murder him, Th s was near to Mr. Keswick's door. He is reported to me as a quiet and sober man, who declares he had neither given provocation of any kind nor was conscious of offence to these or any other Japanese. This unprovoked and murderous attack upon an inoffensive man in the service of foreigners recalls too painfully the recent yet unavenged murder of a Russian officer and sailor under very similar circumstances, and in the same locality, not to have caused great excitement, with a profound feeling of distrust and insecurity among all foreigners. The only alleviation to this feeling which the circumstances admit, is derived from the consideration of the prompt and apparently earnest measures reported to be taken by the Governors of Kanagawa for the detection and seizure of rufiians guilty of such atrocity; in striking contrast to the inertness and indifference exhibited by the former Governor, when the Russians were the victims selected. But, the criminals in this case, as in the other, have not yet been apprehended ; and if they too have been allowed to escape, there can no lono-er be security for foreigners^ in Japan, and deplorable consequences can alone ''be anticipated. I confess i have waited these two days before addressing your Excellencies, in the confident hope that the exertions made on the spot ~by the Japanese officers could not fail to discover and secure the offenders ; nor can I adequately convey to your Excellencies the regret and disappointment 1 feel at the Apparent failure. Still less can I express the anxiety with which I regard the future, if two such cowardly and murderous assaults on unofFendin"- foreio-ners rapidly succeeding each other in the place of their forced residence (a'^place created expressly for them, under the special authority and surveillance of the Japanese Government, removed even from any centre of population) can take place with perfect impunity. No foreigner's life can be held safe. Seein"- them- selves thus left at the mercy of every miscreant, and objects of attack to\ large class entitled to carry two swords as a sign of an officer's rank, one of the first results must be each foreigner carrying fire-arms. Seeing himself under constant menace of assassination, he will naturally be provided with the means of inflicting instant death on every assailant. Who can venture to say what frightful evils 85 may follow? Every foreigner seeing in each armed Japanese a possible murderer, and ready to interpret any chance collision into a design to kill him, will by a natural instinct get rid of such imminent danger, by shooting his enemy without a moment's hesitation or reflection. But such bloodshed and loss of life, on one side or on both, cannot long continue, without inevitably involving not individuals only,_but nations in the conflict. Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain will certainly not hear that her subjects are cut down and massacred in the streets of Japanese towns, with unconcern, or allow such acts to pass unpunished and unredressed. As Uttle is it to be anticipated that the other Great Powers having Treaties with Japan will remain neuter, or be careless spectators when the Uves. and interests of their subjects are in question. I do not say this, I beg your Excellencies to believe, in way of menace. As the Representative of a great and powerful nation, sent to maintain relations of amity with the Government of another Sovereign Power, it would ill become me to adopt such a course for the defence of my countrymen and the interests confided to me. I only seek to place before your Excellencies the circumstances in their actual gravity, and the inevitable consequences of ineffective measures to remedy a state of things so deplorable. It cannot be the interest of Japan, any more than that of Great Britain, that a state of violence and disorder, endangering hfe and all relations of commerce or amity, should exist ; or, for a moment existing, remain without remedy. I write, therefore, in the interest of both Governments, in urging upon your Excellencies to spare no effort to secure the prompt seizure of the criminals in both cases of violence and murder at Yokuhama, but especially the last, and the public vindication of the laws by the infliction of the penalties due to their crimes. Thus alone can any sense of security be restored, or a stop put to similar acts. What further measures may be needful I will not stop now to discuss ; the necessity for present and earnest action is too urgent for any delay. But one of the measures which must be placed in this category of immediate precautions to. be taken I must draw your attention to, inasmuch as the evil referred to is a. perpetual source of danger, and even to a greater extent in Yedo than at Yokuhama or Kanagawa. This will best be explained by stating what occurred to me in broad daylight yesterday. I was returning on horseback at a quiet pace from the American Legation about 5 o'clock, merely followed by a groom on foot, to take care of my horse, and a servant on horseback. I met in the great " tocado " many officers, some in groups and others alone, armed with their two swords (about as dangerous and deadly weapons as men can well possess), and evidently intoxicated. They were drunk in various degrees, but all — the best of them — were in a state utterly unfit to be at large in a great thoroughfare, or trusted with weapons by which they might in an instant inflict fatal v.-ounds or grievous injury. In such circumstances I. have frequently observed before, that they are not only insolent, and as a general rule offensive in their gestures and speech when they meet foreigners, but are very prone to put themselves directly in the path, and either dispute the passage with an air of menace, or sometimes even attempt to strike either horse or rider. Several of these disorderly persons I had passed — and as a dispute with a drunken man is always to be avoided by one in his sober senses, I took no heed of their demonstrations of ill-will, and left their passage free ; but when within fifty yards of my own door, having just overtaken Mr. Heuskin, one, more intoxicated or more insolent than the rest, not content with standing in our path, pushed against both horse and rider, and was put aside by one of the grooms who came up ; upon which he instantly put his hand to his sword, and fearing a defenceless servant might be cut down by this drunken bravo, I wheeled my horse round to protect him if necessary by interposing myself. But I was unarmed, with only a riding whip in my hand, and, undoubtedly, as 1 should not have stood quietly by and seen a servant murdered who had only done his duty in my defence, it is doubtful what might have been the issue ; but my servant who was on horse- back had a pistol, and hearing the officer vow immediate vengeance presented it, declaring he would shoot him if he drew his sword. But for this, both the groom and myself might very probably have been wounded, if not murdered, by this ruffian, maddened with drink, and armed to the teeth. Do your Excellencies mean to tell me that nothing can be done in this capital, of Japan to prevent men of the rank of officers going about the streets 86 furiously drunk with two deadly weapons at their sides ? Is there no lavy against persons who thus go about to the disgrace of their rank, and to the manifest danger of every peaceable inhabitant — no punishment or penalty that can be inflicted to deter them from such conduct ? What if a Diplomatic Agent, residing here on the faith of solemn Treaties, had been cut down and murdered in open day, yesterday, by one of these drunken officers ? A single individual life may be deemed a small matter by the Japanese Government ; but there are circumstances when a nation's good faith is involved in the security of even a single life : nor can it be supposed that any great Power having a Treaty with Japan would allow its Representative to be so murdered without exacting an account from the Government and the nation. I leave the matter to the good judgment and wisdom of your Excellencies, But in regard to myself, as I am not anxious to be engaged in a personal rencontre with drunken officers, and certainly should not suffer a servant to be murdered before my eyes without endeavouring to rescue him, even at my own peril, I have to request that you will give me what authority may be necessary to dress and arm two oflScial attendants, whom I will choose from among respectable and well-secured Japanese (sons of officers) if I can find any I deem fit, and who shall be invested with such outward marks of authority as shall secure to them at all times, the same respect for my iirotection, and more especially when they accompany me, on horseback or on foot, as would be paid to the official attendants of any Minister of my rank and position in Japan. I may thus hope to escape the insolence and chance of violence in the public thoroughfares and streets from which I am clearly not secure at present, and a danger and an evil will be averted from your Excellencies and the Government which you cannot but be anxious to anticipate by wise measures of precaution. Of course these attendants will be in my service, paid by me, and in every sense exclusively and absolutely under my orders. This is only in accordance with what is done in Turkey, and all over Asia, including China. Each foreign Representative has one, two, or more official attendants, to clear the way when he goes out, and prevent violence or insult being offered by ill-disposed or disorderly persons. These personal attendants are invariably given such legal authority by the Government of the country, and outward insignia, as may be customary to make them easily recognized by all the inhabitants, and respected as bearing authority to enforce due respect to the Diplomatic Agents to whom they are attached. My attendants in China, when I went out, had precisely the same outward dress and insignia as the attendants of the Governors and other native authorities, and were, in consequence, secured from all disposition to dispute with them, and enabled, without violence, to enforce the respect and freedom from molestation to which their master is legitimately entitled by the law of nations. Your Excellencies may possibly be disposed to reply that, for this purpose, for my protection, and at my orders, you have attached certain officers or ^'yaconins" to the Consulate- General; but I beg to observe that these have never fulfilled the object. Evidently, and naturally perhaps, not regarding me as their master, receiving no wages from me, and perfectly indifferent whether I had occasion to be pleased or displeased, they have sometimes been offensive and failed in respect themselves, and have never sufficed to prevent like conduct in others, or seemed even to think it was any part of their duty. I object, therefore, to their being in any sense considered as supplying the place of personal attendants such as I require, bound to receive and attend to my orders, and on whom, as being exclusively attached to and dependent on me for salary, and the continuance of their services, I may feel reliance. With respect and consideration, (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. No. 38. Mr. Alcock to Lord J. Russell. — {Received January 29, 1860.) (Extract.) Kanagawa, November 12, 1859. HAVING come down here yesterday for the purpose of prosecuting some inquiries on the spot as to the circumstances of the attempted assassination of 87 the Chiaese servant, the pressure for silver itzebous for the purchase of gold kobangs, and other ill-advised proceedings at this port, both on the part of Japanese and foreigners, a courier followed quick after me, and arrived in the middle of the night with information that, immediately after my departure, a fire broke out in the Tycoon's Castle, which has been entirely consumed. The Ministers had sent to the Consulate-General to give me information of the event, and to request that all correspondence on public business might be stopped for the moment, as they would be in constant attendance on His Majesty. I have sent a short letter of condolence, expressive of my regret at so untoward an occurrence. To such danger every one residing in Yedo or any Japanese city must be inevitably exposed hourly, by day and night, to an extent unknown in Europe. Every house being timber-built, to guard against the not less constant, and still more certain, danger of earthquakes shaking the houses down, if built of stone or brick, the inhabitants are obliged to choose between the two evils ; and apparently prefer the chance of being burned out of their houses to having them come down about their ears. A week very rarely passes without the shock of an earthquake that would shake the foundations of any house of brick and mortar very undesirably, either for the comfort or the safety of the inmates. But so constant is the peril of fire, that I rid myself of all my Chinese servants, whose inveterate habits of opium-smoking with a light by their side at night, and proverbial carelessness of fire, even in their soberest and most lucid hours, rendered their services, however useful in the first instance, too costly in anticipation, and too irksome in constant and daily anxiety. The Government oflBcers have been urging upon me the adoption of a custom, born of this ever- existing danger of fire, of keeping constantly engaged a brigade of firemen, — a body of fifty coolies at a daily low rate of pay, bound to appear at the house on the first alarm from the fire-bells of the quarter, with an increased allowance each time ; and, should their services be actually required, a considerable payment. But as this would have entailed a permanent, and, as it appeared to me, exorbitant charge on Her Majesty's Government in the shape of a fire insurance, without any of the advantages of the latter, I have declined, feeling that at best it would give no great increase of security for the extinguishing of a fire if one occurred, or saving the property which might be in the house ; while it had the disadvantage attaching to it of giving to fifty men, of whom I knew nothing, a direct and daily interest in the occurrence of a fire, which should either create an alarm in the neighbourhood, or burn the temple itself in which the Consulate-General is placed. So that the foreign Diplomatic Agents must be content to add to the other dangers and drawbacks inseparable from a residence in the capital of Japan, of which I have lately written, that of sharing with His Majesty, and in tenfold proportion of chances, the probability of awaking some night to find their house on fire, and all their worldly goods helping to feed the flames, uninsured, — a considerable aggravation to the evil under any circumstances. No. 39. Mr. Alcock to Lord J. Russell. — (Received January 29, 1860.) My Lord, Yedo, November 23, 1859. I HAVE the honour to state that I have requested the Ministers of Foreign AflTairs to fix an early day for an interview, that I may make the communication •with the best chance of not only obtaining some definite answer, but of judging how far any obstacles raised are put forward with the intention of maintaining them, or merely as feelers, or pretexts for delay, hereafter to be abandoned. The latter is their usual course, and I am led to conclude, from a few words that seemed to escape involuntarily, or at all events without premeditation, from the GoTemors of Foreign Afifairs when adverting to the subject, is not unlikely to be the result on this occasion. They have already heard of threatened Missions from Prussia, and Denmark, and Swedea^, and there is a • commercial agent, with a semi-official character, 88 here at this moment not accredited by the Swiss Confederation to negotiate, but ■with instructions from the Minister of Commerce "to profit by his visit to Japan" to ascertain whether the Government would be willing to made a Treaty of Commerce with Switzerland. He has already entered into some ewrrespondence on the subject with the Governor of Kanagawa, and as I fUiaferstand, has been promised an interview with the Ministers. On my referring to Belgium, therefore, .the Governor who spoke counted -the existing Treaty Powers on his fingers ; and added : " With these five we find . dearness and scarcity already resulting from foreign trade, with daily-increasing difficulties : what then is to become of us if new countries are to be added to the list?" , _ ; These incidental remarks, which are not made officially, often give a truer insight than more formal or carefully considered statements. That the Japanese Government look upon all foreign Treaties, trade, and relations as so many unmitigated evils, I have already informed your Lordship there is every reason Xo believe. How far it can be hoped that time and experience may bring other feelings and wishes, I will not stop to inquire; but speaking of the present ;^spect of affairs, and the manifest repugnance of the ruling classes to all inter- ■Gourse with foreigners— only too well justified by the want of discretion and «eonduct on the part of many at the different ports, and more especially at Kanagawa, in the immediate vicinity of the capital — I confess it seems to me the future before us is one of little promise. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. No. 40. Lord J. Russell to Mr. Alcock. Sir, Foreign Office, February 2^, I860, THE correspondence which has passed between, this Office and the East India and China Association respecting the proceedings of British subjects in Japan having been laid before the House of Commons, I transmit to you herewith copies of the same for circulation among Her Majesty's Consulates and British subjects in Japan.* I take advantage of this opportunity also to convey to you the entire approval of Her Majesty's Government of the conduct you pursued in regard to those matters, and of the instructions which you gave to Captain Vyse. It may be hoped that the good sense of the principal merchants engaged 'in trade with Japan will cause them to exercise such control over all persons under their influence, as may prevent the recurrence of such disgraceful conduct as that to which you have drawn attention ; but if that should not suffice, you. will not hesitate to make use, to the fullest extent, of the powers vested in you and in Her Ma.jesty's Consuls for the maintenance of peace, order, and good govern- ment among British subjects resorting to Japan, and you will firmly enforce such rules and regulations as you may publish for that purpose. It is desirable, however, that you should point out to the Japanese authorities that, to a certain extent, they have a remedy in their own hands, -if they choose to assimilate the value of gold and silver to the values they^^ho'iild relatively bear, so as to deprive such persons as those who have been trading on the difference, of any pretext or inducement for continuing the practice, which has not unreasonably excited the apprehensions of the. Japanese Government. lam, &c. (Signed) J. RUSSELL. to Pa;iw:?sr4^?r6r^^^^^ 89 No. 41. Mr. AlcocJc to Lord J. Russell— (Received February 28, 1860.) My Lord, Yedo, December 6, 1859. DEEMING it right to keep your Lordship fully informed of the progress of events, and conceiving it more especially desirable in connection with our affairs in China that Her Majesty's Government should be enabled to judge how far the second of the two Treaties concluded in 1858 is likely to realize the promise of its stipulations, I wish to give, in as few words as possible, a correct view of our present position in Japan. Whether it be susceptible of change or improve- ment by efforts of diplomapy, or any measures within the competence of foreign Representatives here to take, is a question which cannot much longer be without answer. And if it should prove to be in the negative, as seems only too hkely, it cannot be too soon known. I may begin by stating, that at this hour all Treaties recently concluded with Japan are virtually annulled. As regards their more important provisions, they might as well have never been signed, so completely have they been disregarded by the Japanese authorities. Trade is stopped at Kanagawa, the port nearest to the capital, as effectually as if an edict to that end had gone forth. And at all the ports its development has been made simply impossible, and designedly so, by prohibitions affecting the sale of the most accessible products for export, and notably erico and awabee (dried edibles for the Chinese market), by limitations in the amount obtainable of other goods, and, finally, by the persistent denial of those facilities for the exchange of foreign money into Japanese currency, or the free circulation of the latter at its just value, without which trade is obviously impracticable. To these nullifying and obstructive acts must be added minor impediments — in the absence of all adequate measures for the protection of life and property, and consequent insecurity to both, at all the ports ; the perpetual interference, covert or avowed, of officials in the transactions between buyer and seller ; and the refusal, under a thousand pretexts, of the necessary facilities for determining the sites of foreign locations and obtaining building ground. In this state of things not the least discouraging feature is the frivolous and utterly futile nature of the alleged reasons for inaction and delay on the one hand, and for wrong doing on the other. To such a pitch is this habitually carried, that I should almost fear too largely drawing on your Lordship's credulity if I were to enumerate many of these pretexts gravely put forward in the official communications I receive from the Ministers and their subordinates. They would indeed be matter for ridicule, and might be amusing, were they not injurious to interests of national concern. This to me is one of the worst features of the whole ; because either they are laughing in our faces, in ' which case it ought to be resented, or they have so low an opinion of our intelligence and claims to respect, that they deem nothing too absurd to be offered in explanation of their conduct, and no time should be lost in unde- ceiving them. But I am convinced it is evidence of the contemptuous disregard of such means of remonstrance as they conceive can alone be employed ; and while they can unmolested carry out a poUcy which nullifies the Treaties they view with so much ill-will, it is a matter of perfect indifference what verbal protests their conduct may bring. They did hot, like the Chinese, fire upon the foreign Representatives or refuse to exchange the ratifications, and thus give a clear casus belli; but wiser, I doubt not, in their own conception, they take care, under a flimsy veil of courtesy and goodwill, belied by a hundred petty acts of annoyance moreover, to render the ratified Treaties null and void in effect, as the safer course. To gain this, all means are good in their hands, even to the burning of a Tycoon's palace. To letters of remonstrance they oppose endless delays in answering, or put forward in their replies reasons so puerile, so ludicrously inapt or disproportioned to the effects asSsigned, that to answer or to combat them is evidently time and labour thrown away. To a demand for personal access to the Ministers responsible for this state of things, they object the burning of a palace a month ago, as your Lordship will see by the inclosed correspondence ; and propose that certain delegates, said to be members of the Council' of State, and of recent creation, should receive ray visit. The proposition this letter of the N 90 Ministers makes, is but carrying out intentions clearly enough indicated In the beginning, as reported to vour Lordship in my despatch of the 28th July last, and further a^dvanced during my last interview with the Ministers, now three months ago; namely, that of delegating to subordinates the reception of foreign Representatives, and the discussion of all matters the latter may bring forw^d from time to time. These very officers were introduced for the purpose pn that occasion, with a preamble which I rightly interpreted as meaning further action in the same dir,ection, when opportunity could bd found. It now appears, that the burning of the palace, in their opinion, affords the desired pretext for estg,- blishing the new order, and ridding themselves of the troublesome necessity of occasionally listening to and answering the remonstrances of foreign Representatives. If they succeed, the residence of Diplomatic Agents here may well be dispensed with as superfluous. Their presence in Yedo will indeed be as void of utility as if they were banished to one of the Kurile Islands. I propose, therefore, as your Lordship will perceive by ray official letter to the Ministers, to make a last effort, not only to prevent this, but, if possible, to rouse the Government to a sense of the dangerous declivity on which they have begun to glide, and induce them to reconsider their national poUcy while it is yet time to avert great disaster. It is impossible to be sanguine of the result, for those in power are, I fear, too obstinately bent upon the negation of all Treaty rights and too blind to the consequences. Yet the events in China, now that it is known a great armament is preparing in England and France to compel good faith, and exact redress for wrong doing, should open the eyes of the blindest. It is at all events my duty to make the effort, and if I fail to attain the end in view, Her Majesty's Goverp- ment will be in a better position to appreciate the nature of the opposition to be encountered in any attempts to enforce a due observance of Treaties, and determine what measures it may be expedient to adopt, whether fbr the maintenance of the rights secured by Treaty or their abandonment. I scarcely think it can be considered consistent, either with the interests or the dignity of Western States to maintain such relations with Japan as now exist ; nominally under the conditions imposed by Treaties and for the benefit pf commerce, but in reality without the slightest regard to either on the part of the Japanese. In reading my official letter to the Ministers, I trust your Lordship will see in these conditions a full justification for the plain terms in which I have addressed them, as to the possible and contingent consequences of perseverance in an adverse policy, and a refusal even to give me the opportunity of meetijxg them in person, for the purpose of discussing the grounds of complaint so frequently and unavailingly brought under their notice by writing. In the views now submitted to your Lordship as to the poHcy of this Goverp- ment and its effects, I have the entire concurrence of my colleagues the Minister of America and the Consul- General of -France. And I trust I have so far succeeded in placing the position at present occupied by foreign Powers in this country in its true light, that I may count upon the general sanction of Her Majesty's Government in the course hitherto pursued, under circumstances of no ordinary difficulty and most unpromising character. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 1 in No, 41. The Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs to Mr. Alcock. (Translation.) WE acknowledge your letter dated November 24, and have understood its contents, respecting the continual delay in the settling of foreign affairs • and likewise that you wish to have a day fixed to have an interview with us' As our mutual correspondence is properly only to settle matters of importance and that require, haste, yet we cannot understand a letter without having it translated, because the language and the characters of the two countries differ, and this 91 always causes us great grief ; and also, as they refer to difFerent matters and require deliberation, this causes delay, although we would wish it were otherwise. But as you communicated your ideas to the Governors for Foreign AlFairs some time ago, we intended to have settled these matters at our next meeting ; but we are overburdened with official business at this moment, and consequently so busy that there is scarcely an hour that is not spent in work. For this reason we have allowed several days to pass without sending answers, although this is against our wish ; and as we feel great sorrow at what you might think of this delay, we wish you to have an interview with Sakai Ookjonoski and Endoo Tadimano Kami, who are both members of the High Council of State, and iranaediately follow after us as to their rank and merits, and are intrusted with foreign affaii's. If you consent to this, the day for the interview with the said personages will be fixed immediately. For the present, we only send this as answer to your despatch. With respect and consideration. (Signed) MANABE SIMOOSANO KAMI. WAKISAKI NAKATSKASANO TAJU. Inclosm-e 2 in No. 41. Mr. Alcock to the Japanese Ministers for Foreign Affairs. Yedo, December 6, 1859. I Have to acknowledge your Excellencies' letter of the 5th instant, proposing that I should consent to an interview with Sakai Oogonoski and Endoo Tadimano Kami, who are both Ministers of the High Council of State, and are intrusted, after you, with foreign affairs. In my letter of yesterdfiy I stated it was essential I should see your Excellencies, as the responsible Ministers for the management of foreign affairs, on important matters of public concern that would brook no delay. I now have to state, in reply to the letter just received, that what I have to commu- nicate is of such grave importance that on the result of our interview may depend the continuance of amicable relations between the two countries. It is for your Excellencies to determine whether you deem this so light a matter that you cannot dispose of one hour to hear and answer me, as the Plenipotentiary and Representative of the Sovereign of Great Britain. As regards my having an interview with the two officers designated in your letter, I am quite ready now, or at any future tipie, to meet Members of the Council of State charged with the administration of foreign affairs, if I see that it would facilitate the dispatch of business ; provided always that I first receive from j^our Excellencies the written assurance that, like myself, they are possessed of full powers to decide and finally settle all the affairs that may at any time be discussed between us in like manner as the Ministers for Foreign Affairs. If they do not possess this plenary power, neither now nor at any time can tliey be fitly designated for the transaction of business with Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary. As regards my interview on the 7th instant, I can only repeat that on its result may ultimately depend a state of peace or war between the two countries. I leave it to your Excellencies, after this, to say whether it should be the Ministers for Foreign Affairs in person, or their delegates and subordinates, who should meet me when questions of so grave a nature affecting the welfare of two nations are to be discussed. Your time, no doubt, is fully occupied with many and pressing matters of importance in the administration of affairs for the whole Empire, and some additional trouble may be entailed by the burning of a Palace. But a Palace is only a building, and its destruction by fire is not the destruction of a Government, or even of a capital. It entails a certain aiiiount of inconvenience and some trifling expense to rebuild. In every country such amdents happen ; but in no kingdom in the Western World has it ever been seen that the mere burning of a palace or royal residence was allowed to be an ade acquainted them v^ith the repulse from the Peiho by an armed force. It could not, however, fail to have a certain significance in their minds, in connection with strong protests from all the three foreign Representatives, those of England and France in the foreground, of the continual and grave infraction of Treaties, that in six months the armies and fleets of those Powers would be within five days' sail of Yedo, should necessity arise for other efforts than those of diplomacy to secure the fulfilment of those Treaties in good faith. With this hope, 1 took my leave ; and Mr. Harris, the resident Minister of the United States, has already written to the Ministers to acquaint them that having been informed of what had passed, he entirely concurred in the views I had submitted, and demanding an interview on the 13th. The French Consul- General, M. de Bellecourt, informs me he intends to take a similar course. So far, then, as perfect accord among the foreign Representatives here can have any influence, they must see it exist, and has always existed, from the beginning. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 1 in No. 42. Mr. Alcock to the Japanese Ministers Jor Foreign Affairs. Yedo, Decemher 14, 18 1^9. ON the 7th instant we had a long conference on affairs : but these were so numerous and of such gi'ave importance that it was impossible to take any immediate decision. For greater clearness, therefore, and that none may be forgotten, I write this ofiicial letter, giving cover to four others numbered from 1 to 4 consecutively, one to each subject ; and pray your Excellencies to lose no time in bringing each and all to a satisfactory conclusion, and give me a distinct answer. The Treaty may then cease to be violated in every important Article, and my next despatches can convey the intelligence, which is more than, ever desirable at this moment, when Her Majesty sees herself compelled to send forth large armaments into the neighbouring seas, to exact redress from China for failure in the execution of a Treaty made in the same year as that with Japan by Lord Elgin. ■ I said, in our last interview, that there were but two ways of settling affairs between nations: the one was by reason, with Treaties and Diplomatic Agents for the instruments ; the other war, where the instruments are fleets and armies, I stated, as the experience of all ages and nations, that where the one failed, the other inevitably followed sooner or later. Our relations with China strictly demonstrate this truth ; and it is to be hoped that our relations with Japan will as certainly estabHsh the same truth by a totally opposite result, namely, the uninterrupted maintenance of amity and commerce by arguments addressed only to the reason of both Governments. To this end, it only requii-es your Excellencies should co-operate with me honestly and earnestly in giving such due execution to the Treaty so lately ratified, as shall leave lio disposition on either side to appeal to the sword— the last and least desirable argument of Sovereigns or of nations, lasuanuie 5 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 94 Inclosure 2 in No. 42. Memorandum No. 1 . I STATED in our interview th^t the Treaty had been violated, and was continually being violated, in all its more important prpvisions. 1st. In the prohibition of trade in certain articles, among which I specified erico, awabee, lead and sulphur. From Hakodadi the Consul reports all these are prohibited by officials ; from Nagasaki the Uke report as regards erico and awabee. Your Excellencies do not deny the prohibition of these last, but contend they are not articles of merchandize, but collected for the Government ; and that your Government have long standing engagements with the Chinese to supply them, by which you are bound. To which I reply, as they are not specified in the Treaty as contraband or prohibited, Article XIV gives us the right to export them or any other thing as merchandise which may be for sale. Now Government interference alone prevents erico and awabee being sold to Europeans, while they are actually sold to Chinese. Secondly, Article XXIII gives to British merchants the undoubted right to trade in them. It is expressly stipulated that " the British Government and its subjects will be allowed free and equal participatipn in all the privileges, immunities, and advantages that may have been, or may hereafter be granted, by His Majesty the Tycoon of Japan to the Government or subjects of any other nations." The Japanese Government in that Article contracted a solemn obligation to grant equal participation in all things, " privileges and advantages," that either had been or might hereafter be granted to other nations. No previous Treaty or engagement can be pleaded to annul this the more recent one, deliberately entered into, not with one nation only, but five European Powers one aftei- the other. The Chinese monopoly has thus been continued since the 1st July, in clear violation of two of the most express stipulations of Treaties. Lead and sulphur you admitted cannot be prohibited without violation of Treaty. But they have been prohibited ; and stringent measures should therefore be instantly taken to put an end to such proceedings. 2ndly. By the Umitation of exports t stated the trade of the merchants was illegally interfered with. I mentioned raw silk only as one article ; but there are many others reported to me. This constitutes as serious an infraction of Article XXIII as the total prohibition of other things. 3rdly. The interference of officials between buyer and seller. You say it is unknown to you. It nevertheless exists. At Nagasaki and Hakodadi it is notorious that many, if not all, the officials are engaged or interested in trade, and do prevent, openly or covertly — sometimes one, sometimes the other, — the free transaction of business between foreigner and Japanese dealer. At Hakodadi nothing can be bought except by and through the Custom-house officials ; not even provisions for consumption, nor the hire of boats or coolies. This is a violation of both the letter and spirit of Treaties, and is so determined and undisguised that it would be incredible were it less notorious. These are the most plain and injurious violations of express stipulations and Articles of the Treaty, as regards the buying and selling of goods ; and it behoves the Government of Japan to put a stop to them without a moment's delay. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 3 in No. 42. Memorandum No. 2. THE next impol-tatit provision violated has reference to the denial of facilities required by trade in the exchange oiF foreign money into Japanese currency. '^ You have stated to me that certain mrtionB haVB been made, but the result, beyond dispute, is a Mure to do that which the Japanese Government engaged to do : not to supply 10,000 or 16,000 itzebous in a day, but to afford 95 the facilities required for trade. Trade is necessarily limited to the extent in which you fail to afford the means of exchange. Even the very inadequate quantities of itzebous supphed for exchange have been distributed so entirely without system or impartiality, that injury has been ipflicted on individual merghanls, without reason or justification. Means should be devised for su|3p]ying greater facilities of exchange, by a much larger issue of it?ehous. And if possible, still more" strenuous exertion should be made to cause foreign coins, but especially the dollar, to pass current throughout Japan, for corresponding values in Japanese currency. If this were done, there would be an end of all difficulties as' to affording an adequate supply of itzebous, for they would no longer be in demand. And In the meantime, not an hour should be lost in establishing an eqtittable system of distribution, intelligible and satisfactory to the Consuls at the several ports. And to prevent irregularities and abuses in the demands made upon the Treasury, the rule should be immediately established that no requisition from any foreigners should be received without the seal of their respective Consuls. If these steps be taken honestly and promptly, much of the evil now c jmplained of will cease ; and if notj a rapid accumulation of heavy claims by the merchants for indemnity for losses sustained by the non-execution of Treaties will inevitably follow, and must be sent home to my Government to be dealt with as a matter of national concern, (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCKv Inclosure 4 in No. 42. Memorandum No. 3. THE third serious grievance and infraction of Treaties I brought forward was the absence of security to life and property everywhere in Japan. In Yedo, the Diplomatic Representatives themselves are liable to insult froRi officers of Damios or of the Government. In Kanagawa foreigners are murdered ; in Hakodadi and Nagasaki their houses are broken into, and the property of the merchants, even in shipment and landing, is shamefully pilfered, and no redress or satisfaction in any of these cases can be obtained at the hands of the local authorities. They neither, as they are bound, take measures to prevent such injuries, nor to punish those concerned ; and this unjustifiable inaotion serves as a direct encouragement to all the ill-disposed. With this total absence of all efficient measures for the protection pf foreigners, neither life nor property can be secure anywhere. It is impossible to conceive a more serious infraction of Treaties, or one it more urgently behoves the Government of the Tycoon forthwith to put'a stop to, (Signed) , 'RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 5 in No. 42. Memorandum No. 4. LASTLY, I declared the Treaty was violated in the denial of all necessary facilities for the choice or the occupation of foreign locations at the ports. At Nagasaki, after five months of incessant effiart and reclamations on the part pf the'' Consuls, nothing has been done ; the Governor pleading want of instructions and authority for determining a site in concert with the Consuls, and refusing, even in the interval, to give facilities for temporary locations to the merchants in eligible spots, or under reasonable conditions. No honest assistance anywhere, but difficulties, evasions, and delays always. Such a state of things i's as injurious to the merchant as it is directly opposed to Article III, and the whole spirit of the Treaty. r ■ i .■ -u At Kanagawa. after many months of delay, a site for a foreign location has indeed been fixed upon, Biit there are many British subjects who have made 96 applications for land—eight have been reported ; and yet week after week passes, and no effort of the Consul can induce the^Governor to move a step, or even to give an answer to his appHcations. What is the Government to think of such continued and persistent policy of obstruction, in this, as in so many other directions? Is it possible that they should believe the Government ot the Tycoon desires the Treaty to be carried out in good faith ? If such really were the desire even now, instant orders would be sent to the Governor of Nagasaki, with all necessary powers, at once to bring the choice of a location to a satisfactory termination ; to give every facility for the immediate occupation of land and building of houses ; and to remove all obstacles in the power of the Government to put aside ; and like orders would be given to the Governor of Kanagawa, to lose not a day in giving a satisfactory answer to all Captain Vyse's applications, and actively co-operating with him in the attainment . of like ends. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. No. 43. Mr. Alcock to Lord J. Russell. — {Received February 28, 1860.) My Lord, Yedo, December 14, 1859. IN my despatches of the 6th and 10th instants, I have given your Lordship a faithful report of all matters of interest connected with our position here, and the state of our relations with this country. The inclosed correspondence from the Consuls at Hakodadi and Nagasaki last received, with the inclosures in the first, will serve to give the latest intelligence of the progress of affairs at each of those ports, and the steps taken by those otficers, in their endeavour to remove the obstacles they encounter to the working of the Treaties. The impediments to all free exchange of money or produce, and perpetual interference of the Government officials, both openly and covertly, to prevent either the one or the other at Hakodadi, renders all the Treaty provisions null and void to any practical purpose, and is contrary to the hopiss I had been led to tbrm of the disposition of the Governor. I believe, however, it must be taken as clear evidence of a system of obstruction which emanates from hence, with the distinct object of rendering the Treaties inoperative throughout the country. The despatch from Mr. Morrison of the 28th ultimo fully confirms' this, by showing that in five months we have been unable to make the least progress towards a better order of things. The knowledge of such obstructive and illegal proceedings at the open ports, joined to personal experience on the spot, of the want of good faith and good- will in the Government, place all Diplomatic Agents here in a very painful position. Compelled in the discharge of a duty to resort to strong and repeated remonstrances in their intercourse with the Ministers, they yet have no hope that any protests or representations will lead to the desired result. Nevertheless, as it is needful that such efforts should be made, the resident Minister of the United States informs me he had, as already agreed, his interview yesterdav with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, mainly for the purpose of supporting the views so strongly urged on their attention by myself a few days ago. It appears Mr. Harris' interview lasted even longer than my own ; but he is not without hope, it would seem, that such an impression has been made as may lead to immediate action in a right direction. I can hardly venture to be so sanguine. If, however, as he has been informed, they are going forthwith to dispatch a Government steamer to Nagasaki, with 200,000 itzebous. and a high ofiicer to inquire into the conduct of the Governor, there maybe hope yet of some sensible amelioration in the conduct of affairs. Assuredly, if the evidence thev now have of the perfect identity of views and unity of action among the foreign Representatives at the capital fail to produce some change for the better, nothing else within the sphere of our duties, or compatible with friendly relations, can hold out reasonable ground of expectation as to the issue. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 97 Inclogure I in No. 43. Consul Hodgson to Mr. Alcock. (Extract.) Hakodadi, November 4, 1859. SINCE I had the honour of writing to you on the 24th ultimo, I have had, as at Nagasaki, and as Mr. Cowan informs me was the case at Kanagawa, a continued series of bootless conversations, attended with no good result. My distance from you, and the consequent want of your efficient and ready aid, are most sensibly felt by rae, and the absence of all outward support, or even the probability of its arrival, makes not only the Governor, but also other officials careless, and sometimes even uncivil. The two points I have strongly represented as violations of our Treaty, are the abolishment of the Comprador system, with its monopoly of provisions, servants, boats, and the cessation of the Custom-house being the only market for foreign trade. But in no one point have I had a satisfactory reply: in fact, although perhaps time and continued firmness may eventually succeed, in the meantime, I would press you, Sir, to use your infiuence at Yedo to secure from this Governor, who sincerely regrets already that Japan is not, as it was four years since, a sealed book, and who has said that foreigners will gain no more advantages than they have done, a lesson to the contrary. There is a perpetual official interference in everything ; the purchase of a bullock, a fowl, or even of a bag of charcoal, is only to be made through the Comprador : therefore, as I will not buy from him, I am obliged to go without them j even hay for my sheep, which I must have, he alone supplies. The few articles we can purchase are sold in fear and trembling, and almost obtained by force, and then at exorbitant prices, so strong a hold has official dfead upon this people ! I have required stoves to warm ourselves — reference to the Custom-house ! carpenters or masons to work — application to the same bureau ! I have sent money to be exchanged (as a trial of their faith and goodwill) — an almost insolent refusal the reply ! In fact, Sir, with the exception of the five pupils who come regularly to Mr; Cowan from 10 o'clock to 12 o'clock, I have, I regret to say, done nothing^ but I will persevere in my representations. My Consulate was entered, and my own dressing room opened by robbers, during the ^night of the 25th and 26th ultimo. The robbers escaped ; but, although I represented the circumstance to the Governor by writing on the 26th, and in my letter told him " that the lives and property of all belonging to Her Ma.jesty's Consulate were sacred," and " that I was sure his Government would regret the occurrence," the Governor has never deigned the courtesy of a reply, I take this, Sir, as a specimen of his general line of conduct ; but, as we are all well armed, I am under no personal fear. One subject more. Sir, and I have finished. Last night at the table of the Russian Commodore, in the presence of the Russian Consul and myself, the American Commercial Agent declared that he had seen a Notification from the Japanese Government, to the effect that (nine) articles of produce, one of which was potatoes, were not to be offered for sale to foreigners, I will try. Sir, and secure a copy of this notice, and acquaint you later with the result. Should this, however, be general at the ports it will be well to have reported it as being here. Inclosure 2 in No. 43. Consul Morrison to Mr. Alcock. Sir, Nagasaki, November 28, 1859. THERE is no . particular event which I have to report to you by this opportunity. Affairs are in their usual train. There is a show of willingness on the paft O 98 of the authorities to meet our requirements, and to overcome difficulties, but nothing positive is done towards improvement. It is apparent to me that it is the idea of the authorities to circumscribe and oppose us in every possible way, to nullify the Treaty by passive but obdurate resistance. • j , The process of fiUing-in the ground fixed for commencement of the forelgri quarter is slowly progressing ; the terms of lease are not yet settled. Commander Bythesea, of Her Majesty's ship "Cruizer," has furnished me with an accurate plan of the locality, and I have requested him to prepare and hand you a copy. No attempt has been made by the authorities to redeem the paper-money held by the merchants, though I do not cease to urge the subject. The transaction is one of the most glaring dishonesty. With regqrd to exchange of money, our position is worse than when I had last the honour to report on the subject. It has to-day been intimated to me that the Treasury cannot suppy the hmited change hitherto given (viz., 3 dollars per diem for Residents, and 1 dollar each for servants and seamen) ; and that, owing to the late disaster at Yedo, remittances would be delayed. It is denied by the Governor that any money has been sent by land, and the 50,000 cobangs value sent by ship, he declares to be expended. No recourse was left me but to consent to a reduction, by half, of the amount given, for a period of forty-five days. At the same time I insisted on a notice being placarded in every street requiring the people to receive and circulate the dollar at its proper value. The only subject on which I can report satisfactorily is, the disposition of the people in general, which remains most amicable, and is, also, I am bound to admit, the personal demeanour of the authorities. I have, &c. (Signed) GEO. S. MORRISON. No. 44. Lord J. Russell to Mr. Alcock. Sir, Foreign Office, Febrmry 28, 1860. , I HAVE received and laid before the Queen your despatches tp that of the 14th of December last, inclusive. Her Majesty's Government approve your general conduct ; but it were to be wished that you had not threatened war. If the grievances are not redressed and war is not made, the character of the British Government is in some degree impaired ; if war is made to enforce the observance of a Commercial Treaty, we run the risk of engaging in protracted hostiUties, and of earning a reputation for quarrelling with every nation in the East. Time and patience may remove many of the difiiculties of which you complain. The .Japanese, on their side, may well be jealous of Europeans, who insult their usages and carry away their gold. i You should endeavour rather to soothe differences than to make . and insist upon peremptory demands. Our intercourse is but newly begun : it should not be inaugurated by war. I a,m, &c. (Signed) J. RUSSELL. No. 45. Mr. Alcock to Lord J. Russell. — {Received March 26.) My Lord, Yedo, January 7, I860., BEFORE closing this mail, I wish, in few words, to place before your Lordship our position m Japan, at the close of the year, and six months after the opening of the ports. 99 The inclosed copy of a despatch recently addressed to Her Majesty's Consul at Hakodadi gives a general view of the progress of affairs, and their bearing on that port. Difficulties in relation to currency, mainly due to the indisposition of the Government to see them removed ; obstructions to trade, by prohibitions, limitations, and official interference, entirely due to the action of the Government and the trading interests of its officials ; insecurity to life and property from the hostility of the ruling classes and their armed retainers, connived at, if not directly sanctioned, by the Ministers and great Council of State, — further taken advantage of, naturally, by the predatory and ill-disposed part of the population,— furnish a tolerably fair summary of the obstacles to any healthy development of trade, or the permanent establishment of good relations with Japan. These, if not insurmountable, as I would fain hope they are not, make a very formidable hst ; and although, from time to time, something occurs which speaks of progress, and seems to afford some promise of better days, it too constantly happens that any hope is dashed to the ground by determinate acts, either of the Government or those under their control, for any sanguine expecta- tions to he indulged. The ruUng classes are unmistakeably inimical to all foreign relations. Those who govern Japan look upon all foreign Powers with mistrust and dislike. In nothing do they show so much energy as in the erection of forts : two in the bay opposite Yedo, and one at Kanagawa, have been solidly built and raised out of the water since I arrived. The commonest sound in Yedo is the musket and artUlery practice of the soldiery. It is impossible to live here and regard these proceedings, taken in connection with the systematic pohcy of the Government, as insignificant or casual. They have a meaning, undoubtedly, though it may not be quite certain what that is. Do they so far distrust the peaceable intentions of any, or all, of the foreign Powers, that they deem it a duty to be prepared against attack ? or do they rather contemplate a time when they shall be prepared to break with all the Treaty Powers, and declare existing relations at an end ; to revert to their poUcy of exclusion and isolation ? I am led to beUeve that there are some among the greater Damios desirous of seeing the latter course adopted ; while, probably, the whole class, looking upon foreigners with dislike and suspicion, which the isolation they still maintain leaves us no hope of removing by freer intercourse, regard a collision and war as the certain result, sooner or later. The Government keep up all the outward appearances of a desire to give execution to the Treaties, while their acts, both avowed and covert, leave no doubt whatever of their true animus being hostile. The Diplomatic Agents here are all in a kind of moral quarantine. No respectable persons of education or member of the feudal classes are allowed to hold intercourse with us, if not in the employ of the Government for that purpose. We have all had frequent evidence of this, and, indeed, to Mr. Harris, who wished to see some former acquaintances among the officials, it was plainly intimated that they would not be permitted, and could not see him, by the laws of Japan. That little progress should be made in six months under such circumstances is inevitable, and will hardly be laid to the account of any want of zeal or cy,plomatic tact on the part of the several foreign Representatives. They occupy posts, neither very agreeable nor free from danger, and full of anxious responsibility. Sinister rumours of a generial massacre of the foreigners are put in circulation ; while the warnings which the Diplomatic Agents receive here from the Government officers of the almost certainty of being burned out are so incessant that it looks ominously hke a foregone conclusion. With a perpetual menace of assassination on the one hand, and of incendiarism on the other, while earthquakes almost every week shake the houses to their foundations, I cannot say the post of Diplomatic Agent in Yedo is to be recommended for nervous people ; and the most sanguine and bold of temperament are likely to find their chief source of congratulation, at the end of any given term, in the fact that they have not allowed either Japan or their own country to be drifted into a war by any of the endless causes of collision which nearly every day brings : certain that if, at one point, there shall be subject of rejoicing, in another there will be still more o-rievous cause of complaint. Thus, at Yokuhama, on the 5th instant, a fire broke out in the part of the wooden settlement occupied by foreigners, and the whole place narrowly escaped destruction* Fortunately it was in the day- O 2 100 time, and nothing could be more admirable than the condiict of the authorities and the whole population under their orders. Everything was done to stop the ravages of the flames, and property was efficiently protected. Scarcely had I time to thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and express the satisfaction it afforded me to receive such a report, than a despatch is received from Her Majesty's Consul at Nagasaki informing me that a fire had broken out there on the 25th December, in a block of houses occupied by a British and an American firm, where all the circumstances were painfully reversed. It was the third fire within the year : in each case foreign property was alone involved, and incendiarism the apparent cause. In every case there had been a total absence of protection or assistance from the authorities. All the property that was not destroyed by the fire was shamelessly and openly plundered, some of the police present being themselves engaged in steahng. By this last fire British and American property to the amount of some 250,000 dollars has been lost. Under such circumstancss, one is reduced to the sole consolation of hoping the better conduct of the authorities at Yokuhama is some evidence that the influence exercised here by the foreign Representatives is not wholly null, and that within such narrow limits it is beneficially felt. But there is so much to be placed on the opposite side that I confess the evidence is very far fi'om being conclusive. 1 am not wholly discouraged, if I find it impossible to be sanguine. What may be the ulterior prospects of our trade and relations in Japan I cannot venture at the present time to offer any decided opinion. It is very obvious that both run great danger, the extent of which must mainly depend upon the real inten- tions of the Japanese Government, and what length they are prepared to push a policy of obstruction and deliberate non-fulfilment of TVeaty conditions. Something also will depend on the chapter of accidents, the conduct of foreigners and of Damios : neither are absolutely under the control of Government, as could be desired in the interests of peace. And, finally, much will be deter- mined by the progress of our affairs in China. If means be taken for' the due maintenance of our Treaty in that country, and the reception of foreign Ministers in Pekin, there is still some hope ; but if anything should occur to bring upon us a second repulse similar to that of last year, or the abandonment of our pretensions, I am satisfied Her Majesty's Government will find it difficult to maintain any friendly or satisfactory relations with Japan. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure in No. 45. Mr. Alcock to Consul Hodgson. (Extract.) Yedo, December 31, 1859. IN reference to the state of affairs at Hakodadi, and the joint Consular letter addi-essed by you and your colleagues to the Governor, you will have seen by the despatches from hence sent by the " Cruizer," that an obstructive policy, wholly contrary to the spirit of existing Treaties, is matter of complaint here as elsewhere, and has been the subject of strong remonstrance from all the Repre- sentatives of foreign Powers. If no very immediate or obvious result has been attained, T am not without hope that their continued efforts will, however slowly and gradually, be productive of good in the end, and lead to improved facifities for trade. Should it be otherwise, however, little more can be done by diplomatic means ; and it will remain for Her Majesty's Government to come to a judgment on the facts, and determine, as they see fit, upon the course to be followed. In the meantime, a firm but temperate bearing on the part of the several British authorities in Japan, continuing to claim what the Treaty has stipulated, and protesting, when deemed necessary, against the more flagrant violations of specific provisions, seems to be the only course for the moment which may not involve greater evils than those already in existence. 101 The alteration of the relative value of the gold to the silver, and the marking of the dollar, contemplated here as at Hakodadi, offer some chances of improve- ment in the question of currency. As to the prohibitions and limitations on trade, arbitrarily imposed, contrary to Treaty, by the Government, these are the subject of unceasing remon- strance here ; and some of the many disclaimers and promises to amend what is wrong, which the several Representatives of foreign Powers at Yedo receive so constantly in reply, we must hope will not be wholly without effect. 8 00 S p a a % S / a. ta a' W Vj o » 2 5 0< M si' u; tg ». ^ ff ^• <-( s =- , > ►ti K : ^ y S 3. « ^ s »- -» w 5-? Sf-5 . •S w ? S CORRESPONDENCE RESPECriNG THE STOPPAGE OF TRADE BY THE JAPANESE AUTHORITIES. Presented to the House of Commons by Command of Her Majesty, in pursuance of their Address dated February 21, 1860. ^^17 LONDON: PKINTED BY HARBISON AND S0N8. ^f \) ^^ Br;t 4^1^;..- ^v^e^ / X>X jf ^ 9 LIST OF PAPERS. No. Page 1. Consul-General Alcock to Lord J. Russell .. ,. .. November 23, 1859 1 Two Inclosures. 2. Mr. Hammond to the Secretary to the East India and China Association February 1,1860 10 3. The Secretary to the East India and China Association to Mr. Hammond February 16, 10 -^ •..fi.At,. RETURN to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons, dated February 21, 1860; for— " Copies of a Despatch from Mr. Alcock. Consul-General in Japan, dated the 21st day of November, 1859, on the subject of the Stoppage of Trade by the Japanese Authorities; "Of a Letter from the Foreign Office to the India and China Association, dated the 31st day of January, I860; "And of the Reply, dated the 16th day of February, 1860." No. 1. • Consul-General Alcock to Lord J. Russell. — {Received January 29, 1860.) (Extract.) Yeddo, November 23, 1859. I HAVE the honour to inclose a copy of a despatch which I have recently addressed to the Acting Consul at Kanagawa for general circulation. In it I have passed in review all the leading circumstances which have led to what must be considered a very deplorable state of affairs. Insecurity of hfe, and the almost total stoppage of a trade not without promise at this port, are the first of the untoward conditions to which I have alluded. And if, on the other hand, there has been throughout nmch to complain of in the Japanese authorities and officials, a bad system, or no system, of administration, and little desire to facilitate a trade which they believe must impoverish them, not the less that they see it begins with a run upon their gold currency ; there has, on the other, been much cause for dissatisfaction given by foreigners. The purchase and shipment of their gold coins they look upon as neither more nor less than an act of lawless spohation, and an abuse of Treaty provisions, intended only to secure a fair exchange of produce. Set at defiance by foreign dealers, and over- reached by their own subjects at the instigation of the former, it can hardly be wondered at that they should have watched the conduct of both with indignation, and been further embittered by their consciousness of their helplessness to put a stop to it by the adoption of their usual summary and strong-handed measures. The burning of the Tycoon's Palace has given them a temporary relief from their perplexities, and been made to furnish a plea for so many extravagant things — all tending to the suspension of Treaties and total stoppage of trade here — that I cannot help thinking the fire, if not invented for the purpose, has been at least regarded as a very fortunate incident. They have certainly succeeded for the moment ; although they cannot hope to maintain as a permanence a state of things in direct violation of Treaty provisions. Under plea of labour and expenses to be incurred consequent on the destruction by fire of the Tycoon's Castle, they have stopped the further issue of silver itzebous, interdicted the sale of copper, and further, laid restric- tions upon the sale of all Japanese produce in request by foreigners ; thus striking, in both directions, at the root of all commerce. They have even hinted that until the Palace is rebuilt there is no remedy. With more or less pressure, and delays inevitable, they will be brought, no doubt, to abandon the specific restrictions on which the finger of the foreign Diplomatic Agents can be laid ; but to prevent action in some other direction, leading to the same end, is indeed a hopeless enterprise. The foreigners, subjects of the various Treaty Powers, at Kanagawa, have done their best to justify the policy and confirm the fears of the Japanese authorities, as to the course foreign trade would take, and its results. Nothing could well have been worse than the conduct of the body generally; and the acts of many individuals are altogether disgraceful, as 1 think will be evident to your Lordship on perusal of the inclosed despatch and documents attached. [123] B 2 2 There is, unfortunately, a great deal of misconduct which no law can touch, and many acts of the most mischievous tendency not easily brought under the clauses of a legal enactment. Even when specifically denounced with pains and penalties attached, it is often in these countries very difficult to obtain such evidence as will bring the offence home to the parties impHcated, in a way to insure legal conviction. Japanese, both authorities and people, will complain, but not appear in fitting time and place to give evidence ; and yet their com- plaints of injury, which must thus go unredressed, may have been perfectly well founded. Hence much of the impunity and license which has hitherto marked the conduct of such persons. Of course, no action of the British authorities could impose any check on the misdoings of Americans, Dutch, and others ; and these alone would suffice, if all else were amended, to fatally damage the foreign position. All t'lie Consular Agents, except our own, are themselves traders, unsalaried, and mixed up with the practices objected to in others— an evil long and deplorably fruitful of mischief in China. Public opinion, with its salutary resti'aining power, is wholly wanting, unfor- tunately, also, in a small community of some twenty commercial men of all classes and divers nations, who beheve that in this distant corner of the world they are safe from exposure. It may still, however, be brought to bear upon them with effect, I hope, even here, by invoking the public opinion of the larger communities in China. I have accordingly written to Mr. Bruce to request he will secure the insertion of my despatch, with the Acting Consul's Circular, officially, or otherwise, as he may see fit, in the " North China Herald." In this, and in all the steps I purpose to take, with the view of putting a stop, so far as it may be possible, to proceedings so ill-judged and discreditable as to render all efforts at improvement with the authorities here vain and hopeless, 1 have the entire concurrence of my colleagues, the American Minister and the French Consul-General. The position in which we are all placed, it will be seen, is one full of difficialty and embarrassment. With a Government distrustful and inimical, ready to, adopt any expedients for rendering Treaties inoperative; a vicious system of foreign Consular Agencies, from which grievous abuses are inseparable; and foreign traders, among whom are many as wanting in discretion as they are deficient in still more essential qualities, it is hard to steer a satisfactory course, and almost impossible to make any headway. I can only trust that Her Majesty's Government, fully informed of all the facts, will see reason to approve of the steps I have taken throughout. Inclosure 1 in No. 1 . Consul'General Alcock to Acting Consul Vyse. Sir, Yeddo, November 21, 1859. I HAVE had under consideration your despatches of the 7th, 18th, and 20th instant, together with their inclosures, consisting of correspondence and documents relating to the conduct of British subjects in their transactions with the Japanese officials and others at your port. As the charges brought against the persons implicated are of the gravest character, I have deferred answering your first comnmnication until further information had been obtained, and 1 could make some investigations on the spot as to the leading facts. I was unwilling to believe, on anything short of the most conclusive evidence, in the eoirectness of some of the statements that reached me ; and hoped to the last to find tb^m^ if not altogether without foundation, at least exaggerated. Such evideno&,'^ho(Myeyer, having been supplied as leaves no doubt, it only remains for me>in the discharge of a painful duty, to convey to you the conclusions at which I havegarrived, and^uch instwctions as the circumstances demand. Tia^jsubjepts brought under my notice involve the consideration, and must ■ lead me tsr^pgak of the conduct and a^cts «f feareigners generally at Yokuhama, and the complaints of the Japanese to-whicji they have given rise ; because they are so inextricably mixed that it is impossible to' separate them. ' Not only do the natiis.^s make little or no distinction between one foreign nation and another but as regards individuals they often have not the means of discriminating ; and thus it foUpws that the acts of any one member of the European family in this 3 country, for good or for evil, must always react, and exercise a direct influence upon the interests and position of all. This solidarity, therefore, gives to each one right of judgment and comment, whenever questions arise affecting all ; nevertheless, I wish to confine my observations, as much as possible, to those only ,who are under British jurisdiction, whose acts and conduct come properiy under my notice, and who are in their persons subject to British laws and authority. The state of things at Yokuhama and Kanagawa in this fifth month after the opening of the port to foreign trade, is in every sense deplorable and unpro- mising for the future. Very different results were contemplated by the Contract- ing Parties to the Treaties ; and all the provisions made, had for their object to secure quite other relations of commerce and amity than those which now exist. To what is this to be attributed, where does the blame lie ? This is the first and most important question ; for on the right answer being found, rests all hope of improvement. Have the British under your jurisdiction been left without knowledge of Treaty obligations, or advice and assistance as to the course to be followed ; or have the Japanese been so ignorant of their obligations, or determined to evade them, that nothing was left to either party, but mutual aggressions and recrimination ? No worse result could certainly have followed if both these conditions had been realized. There. have been murders committed twice, at short intervals, on foreigners in Yokuhama, marked by circumstances of great atrocity and vindictiveness. After a period of great confusion and clamour, during which facilities for the exchange of Japanese and foreign coin had been afforded to a large amount, these facilities have been suddenly withdrawn ; and trade, which had begun to show some signs of development, is stopped, equally by the want of currency and an interference on the part . of the Japanese authorities contrary to Treaty, while nothing but mutual complaints and recriminations between foreigners and the Japanese officials with whom they come in contact is heard. First in order comes the insecurity to life, and the evidence of ill-blood and irritation existing between the natives and the foreigners. Of this the murders, and Mr. Telge's letter complaining of insult at the hands of an official in the Custom-house, are sorrowful indications ; and an inquiry into these facts has only tended to prove how much foreigners, in a marked degree, have themselves to blame for so untoward a state of affairs. It has been matter of common observation that sailors from the ships of all nations which have anchored in the port have been allowed to come on shore, and intoxicated, as is too much their habit everywhere, they have in that state day after day gone about, singly and in bands, offering violence to the Japanese whom they met, or into whose shops they intruded. As regards the residents even, who have more permanent interests at stake, I wish the information which has reached me would permit me to believe that they at least had given no just cause of complaint, either to officials or peaceable inhabitants, by indecorous or violent conduct. I have reluctantly come to a different conclusion, and cannot doubt but that by their own acts, and at other times in the persons of their Chinese followers, they have not unfrequently given cause both for irritation and ill will. I have to instruct you, therefore, as regards Mr. Telge's complaint, to inform him, in answer to his letter of the 5th instant, that 1 must be better satisfied than I have hitherto had reason to be, that he has not, by his own conduct on a former occasion, provoked incivility from these officials, before I can feel called upon to afford him any redress. Rudeness and violence beget the like, in Japan as elsewhere ; and it is not in the power of any constituted authority to prevent such tendencies. The inconsiderate or ill-conditioned acts of one individual, unfortunately, may not only provoke retahation as a natural consequence in that particular case, but frequently involves others, by generating a feehng of ill-will toward all of a class or nation. It is therefore, doubly, reprehensible, since the innocent are continually in danger of suff'ering for the guilty, and the many for the few.. There is no reason to suppose that the unfortunate Russian officer and sailors who were so brutally attacked and murdered by armed Japanese, had themselves, either then or at any former period, given cause of offence ; but it is well known that many sailors of different nations had regeatedly alarmed and outraged Japanese by their violence and ill-conduct, before this act of assassination. So again with the Chinese servant, still more recently sacrificed to some feehng of hostility or desire i'or vengeance ; it is quite possible that he, himself, may have been peirfebtly innocent of all cause of offence or injury either to the ruffians who murdered him, or any of their race, but he fell a victim not the less. And so may many after him,'if no effective steps are taken to put' an end to causes of disorder and ill-blood ever recurring oh the part of the foreigners. For it is difficult to beheve, where such nianifest grounds bf enmity exist, that there is no connection between these and the acts which evidence its existence in the most vindictive form. I deem it therefore, above all, important that you should lose no time in communication, and I hope in concert, with your colleagues, the Consuls and Consular Agents of other Treaty Powers at Kanagawa, as well as with the Governor of that port, ih taking measures for making Yokuhama more secure by police arrangements, and in framing such port regulations as may be needful to repress these sources of disorder and danger to the whole community. More especially does it seem necessary to control the landing of sailors without better security than has hitherto existed for their good condhct. In China, it is provided by Treaty that no sailor shall land at any of the Consular ports except in charge of a responsible officer. There is no such clause in the Japanese Treaty ; but it is not the less essential that provision should be made to prevent sailors of any nation having license to come into a Japanese town, and, in a state of intoxication, to insult and outrage all the peaceable- inhabitants they may ^ meet. It will, therefore, be for you and your colleagues to consider what regula- tions will best answer this end, without unnecessary restraint on those who can be trusted with their liberty on shore ; and, as regards the British, it has been distinctly provided by the Queen's Order in Council, that " the Consul in the port, place, or district, shall have full power and authority to carry into effect, and to enforce by fine or imprisonment (as thereinafter provided), the observance of the stipulations of the said Treaty, or of the Articles for the regu- lation of trade appointed' thereto ; or to make and enforce, by fine and imprison- ment, rules and regulations for the observance of the stipulations of any such Treaty, ,and for the peace, order, and good government of Her Majesty's subjects being within the dominions of the Tycoon of Japan." Therefore you have full power to make such Rules and Regulations for the peace, order, and good government of all, and for the observance of the stipula- tions of the Treaty and annexed Regulations of Trade, as may be found neces- sary, and on the sa;me being sanctioned by Her Majesty's Consul-General, to enforce attention to them by fine and imprisonment. I trust it will be found that your colleagues are equally empowered by their respective Governments, and no less disposed, to co-operate with you for the preservation of life and the maintenance of order. But in any case you arc still instructed to take immediate steps to secure this end as regards the British ; and wiiether in reference to residents, or the crews of ships coming temporarily on shore, I look to you to be vigilant and firm in the exercise of your authority to repress and punish with severity any infraction of Treaty, or of Trade or Port Regulations, in the full assurance that, within all legal Hmits, you will be promptly supported. It is not to be tolerated that a few individuals should, in pursuit of their own interests, or the indulgence of their vices, put to peril the lives and interests of others, or jeopardize the relations between the two nations, by a total disregard of Treaty obligations and all authority. I come now to the consideration of the correspondence, documents, and statements connected with the Custom-house administration and its Treasury Department for the exchange of money. The Governor at Kanagawa on mv recent visit, placed documents m my liands in corroboration of the complaints he urged ; and the Governors of Foreign Affairs have been charged bv the Government here to call my serious attention to the violence confusion and irregularity on the part of foreigners, which had become insupportable-more especially in the Treasury Department, where reiterated demands, in the name of mdividualsof whose existence they had no evidence, for fabulous sums were thrust upon the officials daily, with every mark of intentional rudeness and insult, and sometimes with menace and violence. There are not wanting counter-statements and complaints of British subiects --of vexatious delays, procrastmations, and want of all system or reeularitv on the Japanese officials, sometimes accompanied by incivility or insult as Mr Telge 5 has alleged (after a similar complaint against him, personally, however, had been preferred by the Governor). Finally, it is complained that' in the exchange of moneys there, has been a total absenpe of impai;tialitv and equity in the amounts accorded to individuals, and that the whole sums daily issued were madequate. , 1 am quite satisfied that there has been some foundation for aU these complaints. As regards the Custom-houae, the Japanese themselves admit that there has been a want of system and of knowledge how to transact the business, from mexperience of foreign trade at the port, and a paucity of interpreters to serve as means of communication. The Governor, 1 am given to understand, is ready, however, in communication with you and your colleagues, to frfime a set of Custom-hojise^Jlegulations for the port, founded upon the Treaty provisions, for the better and more regular conduct of all Gustom-house and shipping business in ftiture • aiid I hope no time will be lost in carrying this purpose into effect, for these rules will show both foreigners and Japanese the part which each has to perform, and be equally binding and obligatory upon both. If there be any departure from them, or infraction on either side, it will then admit of easy remedy. And it is to be hoped that the Japanese, who are suflBciently apt when they choose, will soon have officers trained to the business, able and willing to give all proper facilities to the merchants and consignees of ships. The Custom-house will ultimately be removed to Kanagawa, where the site for a foreign location has been selected, and the Consuls are already resident ; but in the meantime there is no reason why a better system of administration should not be at once inaugurated. The sources of confusion and irregularity in the administration of the Trea- sury Department, of which there is only too much evidence on both sides, is , a subject presenting more serious difficulties. Not only the want of method or system has been greater in the administration, but the absence of all intelligible principle of distribution in the proportions issued to each applicant, has been made the plea for every kind of unseemly conduct on the, part of^ individual applicants. I am not surprised, therefore, that the end of all has been a total stoppage in the issue. Things had come to such a pass that I am not sure it was not the best thing the Japanese for the moment could do. In presence of the insane demands pressed upon them, often with menace and violence (for such beyond doubt is the fa,ct), and for sums which not only the applicants could not produce in dollars, but which could not be expressed otherwise than by a long line of figures, while a lifetime would not suffice to count many of the sums claimed in itzebous, it is difficult to say whether the indecent levity and bad taste which mark; many of the requisitions now under my eye, or the disregard of all Treaty conditions and national interests or repute equally manifestedj are most worthy of reprehension. Some are a positive disgrace ,to any one bearing the name of an Englishman, or having a character to lose. Npt only the sums, in their preposterous amount, are an insult to the Japanese Government, to whose officers these requisitions wej-e presented, but they are documents essen- tially false and dishonest, as purporting to be the names of individuals having a real existence, and entitled to demand fc^ciUties for trade ; whereas mere words are used as names, and made to convey gross and oifensive comments. That there may be no qiiestion upon the. strict correctness of ;this description, I annex two copies of several of these documepl^^, so disgraceful to the authors, and! have to direct you to circulate these, together with 3 copy of this despatch, for general information, among, the British subjects at your port. There are some outrage? against society and the common interests of nations, only to be fitly dealt with by giving them publicity, that the reprobation ,pf, all honest and rational men may overtake those who permit themselves such, license, even where the law may fail to reach them. Some, have been careful not to sign their names to the documents presented to the Treasury ; but .you will have no difficulty in tracing them to their authqrs by the handwriting and other circumstanc«!S„and I forward you the originals, that in the event of the Japanese officials who received them being able to certify to the names of the. parties presenting them, a copy, of the same should be appended.. With so much to deplore and to be anaended on the one side and the other, it is not easy to apply a, remedy. For the present stop- page in the issue of Japanese coins, it is quite certain the foreign applicants have 6 themselves chiefly to thank, and they are responsible for any loss or inconve- nience that may result to them or their constituents. Mr. Keswick, 1 observe, in the correspondence which you forwarded, adopts a tone of injured innocence, which, I must say, is very ill borne out by the facts. In the face of a notiHcation, limiting all demands of British subjects or firms to a maximum of 5,000 dollars, Mr. Barber and he together, both in the same firm, do not scruple to send in requisitions on one day, the 3rd of November, the first for 4,000,000 dollars, and the second for 1,400,000 dollars. Mr. Keswick alleges as an excuse (he could hardly mean it to be a justification), that others were permit ling themselves the same license ; and that he took this course " as an act of protection" to the interests confided to his care, when lie saw others adopting a system for the exchange of more money than they really possessed. The defence is, if possible, worse than the act defended ; for if the fact of others adopting a confessedly dishonest and unworthy system (which Mr. Keswick himself seemed too much ashamed of to go on with the following day), could be any justification ; the argument would be equally vahd to justify his taking the officials by the throat and seizing their money, without any form of requisi- tion whatever, provided only that others could be found to set the example ! I should be sorry to think, after all, that this can be Mr. Keswick's real opinion, and I have no doubt whatever that, at all events, the firm of high and estabhshed reputation whom he and Mr. Barber represent at this port will be the first to condemn it, whether regarded as a question of good judgment or commercial morality. The proceeding had not, in truth, the poor excuse of being profitable ; for the Japanese, under pressure from some they hardly knew how to resist, and clamour and irregular demands from all, seemed to have been utterly bewildered at last, and to have adopted no principle of division or proportion whatever. Thus, while Messrs. Keswick and Barber, for their collective 5,400,000 dollars received only 746 dollars' worth of itzebous, others at the same time received different quota. The alternative open to Mr. Keswick and others in such circumstances, consistent with' the duty they owed to their employers or constituents, and the interests confided to them, was to appeal to you that a fair proportion should be observed, and not to set aside, as of no authority, a Consular notification, and ask for " exaggerated sums." This dispo- sition to treat with open disregard counsel and injunction alike, when officially communicated by notification, I have already observed, on more than one occa- sion ; but it is for you, in the exercise of the authority with which you are legally invested, in the interest of both nations to punish all whose acts tend to turn such authority into contempt. Ofl^ences and misdemeanours have been committed by those who appear to have thought themselves safe in only disregarding the Consular notifications issued by competent authority for their governance ; but the Queen's Order in Council gives ample powers to deal with such persons, and authority not only to punish by fine and imprisonment, but to send out of the country those who are incorrigible. As to the tone and spirit of Mr. Keswick's official reply to your letter on the subject, to which you drew my attention, I regret to see it ; but I am unwil- ling to make further comment. You were incorrectly informed, it appears, as to the exact amount, but perfectly justified in charging him with making •' preposterous demands," and in calhng his attention to the fact that he was acting equally contrary to the rules laid down in your notification and the best interests of commerce. And if the Japanese authorities had not taken the matter into their own hands by stopping all issue, you would have been perfectly authorized in directing them to dechne receiving all such irregular, and, as you rightly termed them, preposterous demands, and to suspend, in regard to the persons so conducting themselves, all further communication, except through the Consulate. The consequence of all these and other ill-advised proceedings on the side of foreigners, coupled with shortcomings, in many ways, of the Japanese, is very injurious, not alone to those who are on the spot, and far from blameless, but to national interests and trade. It is no secret to the Japanese what mainly caused these half-frantic demands for Japanese silver coins. They knew that the desire to buy up the gold currency of the country, despite the prohibition of the Japanese law for the natives to sell it, was at the bottom. It is no less perfectly well known to them that, although they have put many natives in prison for infringing their laws, yet large sums have been shipped and exported bv foreigners contrary to the stipulations of Treaties, because without manifest or declaration at the Custom-house. How far, under existing conditions, large exports of the gold coin contrary to the will of the Rulers and the laws is a traffic justifiable in itself, or compatible with the development of a more legitimate trade in Japanese produce and foreign goods, it is perhaps useless to inquire. While the present gold coinage offers a premium of 100 per cent, profit on tlie purchase by silver, means and traders will always be found to make the invest- ment and ship the produce. But there is no question about the illegality of shipment without Custom-house declarations ; and if the Japanese should be led to take more determined measures in the exercise of their undoubted right to prevent smuggling by foreigners themselves, the latter may be subjected to many and serious inconveniences without redress, from which they are now wholly exempt. I do not, however, consider it necessary to give you any special instruc- tions for the pi-esent in reference to such shipments. The Japanese have taken , the most effective means for the moment of protecting themselves, by stopping the issue of itzebous, on which the purchase of kobangs hangs ; and when it is found possible to induce the Government to recommence the issue of silver at Yokuhama, it will at the same time be necessary to have a clear understanding with the Governor and Treasurj' Department as to the adoption of some intelli- gible system, and a rigid adherence to an equitable principle of distribution, under guarantees that all who are entitled to apply shall receive impartially a fair share or proportion. I shall be glad to hear from you on this subject, after communication with your colleagues and the Governor, and shall be prepared to take into consideration any plan or system that may be suggested, after delibera- tion on the spot. I have only to add, in conclusion, that every effort must be made to allay the irritation and alarm of the Japanese Government at the shipment of their gold currency. It was this, I believe, even more than religious quarrels and encroachments, which led, 250 years ago, to the total expulsion of both Spanish and Portuguese, and the long isolation of Japan from Western Nations. We are threatened with the same dangers now, by persons wholly regardless of what may happen, if they can only secure their own temporary advantage. But it is the business and the duty of all foreign Representatives to prevent a few indi- viduals thus endangering the relations and damaging the permanent interests of nations. It is better that there should be no trade, than a trade carried on under such conditions as those which it has been attempted to impose. It is better that there should be no intercourse, than relations of ill-will and conflict, threatening only war as a final result. It. is an imperative duty, therefore, to send out of the country all who lend themselves to such mischievous practices before worse comes of it ; and you are directed to keep a vigilant eye upon every British subject within your jurisdiction, and apply the law, without hesitation or delay, in every case of deliberate offence or misdemeanour for which legal penalty has been provided. Neither England nor Japan have anything to gain, but much to lose, by the presence of such pioneers of trade and civilisation as these, and the sooner the country is rid of their presence the better. The cessation of the present stoppage of trade and exchange of moneys is already the subject of strenuous exertion on my part, as well as of my colleagues here. The facility for the exchange of dollars, lost for the hour, chiefly, I am clear, by the misconduct of those whom it was desired to benefit, was entirely due, in the first instance, to our united efforts here; and indeed, as regards the interests of trade generally, and the position of the merchants, the efforts to benefit both have been, unremitting and strenuous. But that the Government of the Tycoon should be singularly indisposed to listen tO, or concede anything to, present remonstrances, with the knowledge of the uses to which foreigners have turned the facilities already, obtained, and the mode they adopted to secure, each for himself, larger supplies of itzebous, cannot bp matter. of surprise, however regrettable. This, like other difficulties, must be met as it best may: I hope with success. But it is" deplorable that to those difficulties which are inseparable from the situation and the nature of things in dealing with a Government and people so long isolated from the rest of Europe, with strong prejudices opposed to any foreign intercourse or trade, and principles of political economy and national institutions antagonistic to our own, have now to be added obstacles, s scarcely less formidable, which foreigners themselves daily create, very unscru- pulously, and ofren very wantonly. It is in relation to these conditions that I have entered thus fully into a review of our position and the present aspect of affairs ; more especially desiring to impress upon you the importance of both vigilance and firmness in the execution of your olSce. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 2 in No. 1. Requisitions on the Japanese Treasury Department. To the Officers of the Treasury, Kanagawa. Plea?e change for me to-day 250,000,000 dollars, and oblige, yours truly, (Signed) B. TELGE. Friday. To the Customs, Yokuhama, Please give me itzebous for the following W. Jones Troas . . A^friend J. Berber Kanagawa, November 2, 1^59. 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 4,000,000 J. S. BARBER. (Signed) Sir, Yokuhama, November 4, 1859. To the Chief Officer, Treasury. I beg to apply for change as under Mr. Eskrigge Mr. Jones . Mr. Robinson Mr. Peters Mr. Sinker . Mr. Bones . Mr. Moses . Mr. Doodledoo Mr. Nonsense Mr. Is-it-not Mr. Snooks Mr. James . Mr. His-brotber Mr. John .. Mr. Bosche 20,000,000,000 20,000,000,000 20,000,000,000 20,000,000,000 25,347,819,632 250,000,000,000 250,000,000,000 250,000,000,000 250,000,000,000 250,000,000,000 250,000,000,000 250,000,000,000 25,000,000,000 25,000,000,000 250,000,000,000 355,347,819,632 Three hundred and fifty-five billions, three hundrpd in,\ fn,.f„ „^, „ -n- . , . nineteen thousand, six hundred and thirty-two forty-seven millions, eight hundred and (Signed) TPO. ESKRIGGE. Sirs, Yokuhama, November 2, 1859. To Chief Officers of Treasury, Yokohama. Dply to change dollars into itzebous, for the followingfgentl6nien ^ Mr. Tatham . . . • . . 1,000 Mr. Newman a . . . . . 1,000 Mr. Oldmaii • • ' 1,000 Mr. Lucky Cove . • • • 1,000 Mr. Bang . . • \ 1,000 Mr. Rake . . • 1,000 Mr. Nelly . .. 1,000 Mr. Joseph . . 1,000 Mr. Johnson , , a • • • 1,000 Mr. Henery .. 1,000 Mr. Benson . . . . 1,000 Mr. Moses . «. .'. . . 1,000 Mr. Aaron • , . .. 1,000 Mr. Levi . . , . • • ■ • 1,000 Mr. Cock . . . 1,000 Mr. Grummell .. 1,000 Mr. Eye-all . • . . 1,000 Mr. No-nose .. . . 1,000 Mr. Sampson • . •• .. 1,000 Mr. Smell-bad • • a • ■ ■ 1,000 Mr. Angel . .. .. 1,000 Mr. Balls . . .. • ■ • • 1,000 Mr. Grindem , , • • 1,000 Mr. Sticketup .. .. ■ ■ • • 1,000 Mr. Sweidelpipes • • • • , 1,000 25,000 (Signed) THOS. TATHAM. Custom-house. I beg to apply for itzebous for- Mr. Tatham Mr. Newrman Mr. Jones Mr. Oldman Mr. Stick. Mr. Walker Mr. Hookit Mr. Snooks Mr. Weller Mr. Tome Mr. Brown Mr. Jack Ketch 100,000,000,000,000,000,000 1 00,000,000,000,000,000,000 1 00,000,000,000,000,000,000 1 00,000,000,000,000,000,000 1 00,000,000,000,000,000,000 100,000,000,000,000,000,000 1 00,000,000,000,000,000,000 1 00,000,000,000,000,000,000 1 00,000,000,000,000,000,000 1 00,000,000,000,000,000,000 1 00,000,000,000,000,000,000 100,666,777,888,999,222,321 1,200,666,777,888,999,222,321 One sextillion, two hundred quiutiUious, six hundred and sixty-six quadrillions, seven hundred and seventy-seven trillions, eight hundred and eighty-eight b.lbons, nine hundred and mnety-nine millions, Jo hundred and twenty-two thousand, three hundred and twenty-one. (Signed) THO. TATHAM. C 2 10 No. 2. Mr. Hammond to the Secretary to the East India and China Association. Sir, Foreign Office, February \, 1860. I AM directed by Lord John Russell to request that you will state to the Committee of the East India and China Association that he thinks it right to place them in possession of a copy of a despatch from Mr. Alcock, Her Majesty's Minister in Japan, to Her Majesty's Acting Consul at Kanagawa, commenting upon the conduct pursued by foreigners and, Lord Russell regrets to say, in many specific instances by British subjects, in their dealings with the Japanese. Lord John Russell cannot doubt that the members of the Association will learn with the utmost concern the circumstances stated in this paper ; and that they will agree with him that Her Majesty's Government have a right to expect that Her Majesty's efforts for the extension and protection of the commerce of the country should not be neutralized by the reckless and violent proceedings of individuals. Lord John Russell trusts, therefore, that the members of the Association will severally and conjointly use their utmost influence with their correspondents in China and in Japan, to induce them to put a stop to such proceedings as are mentioned by Mr. Alcock ; and his Lordship requests that the Association will make known what is stated in this letter and its inclosure to the several Associa- tions in England with whom they may be in correspondence ; so that the whole weight of the commercial influence in this country may be brought to bear upon a state of things which is at once discreditable to the British name, and incom- patible with the successful prosecution of trade in Japan. I am, &c. (Signed) E. HAMMOND. No. 3. The Secretary to the East India and China Association to Mr. Hammond. — {Received February \ 7.) East India and China Association, Cowper's Court, Sir, Cornhill, February 16, 1860. I AM directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3 1st ultimo, inclosing a communication from Mr. Alcock, Her Majesty's Consul-General at Yeddo. This correspondence has received the best attention of the houses of business and individuals connected with China and Japan. I am to convey to you the expression of their deep regret that the painful occurrences to which Mr. Alcock alludes have taken place to such an extent as to cause the stoppage of trade by the Japanese. They concur with Her Majesty's Government in their reasonable expectation that, after havmg made great and successful exertions to open and extend a commercial mtercourse with Japan, all persons resorting to that country for commercial purposes ought to abstain from violent and irregular conduct which may give just cause for oflence and resentment on the part of the Japanese I am to add the assurance that influential parties here will not fail to urge upon those with whom they are connected in Japan, the utmost care and oautiJn in refraining from all conduct which might lead to disputes and personal alterca- tions and violence. ^ It is hoped that the directions laid down by Mr. Alcock will prevent further collision between the Japanese and foreigners, and that perfect harmony will be estab ished and mamtamed when the parties become better acquainted with each other s customs, manners, and language. _ There can be no doubt that all Associations in England, and houses of business, will impress upon their correspondents that a satisfactory and success^ ful commerce can only be carried on by mutual goodwill and forbpnr.nnPP 11 In conformity with Lord John Ruesell's request, the correspondence shall be circulated generally ; and it is thought desirable that Her Majesty's Govern- ment should permit the whole to be printed, with' the hope that the exposure of such irregularities will put a stop to any future interruption of a valuable and increasing trade with Japan. I am, &c. (Signed) GEORGE SAINTSBURY. •53 -s I- « f 00 S P S S5 ^ ? ^1 I 3 ' o o a w t4 t» ►a o ^ ^2! 5- R ^ s *^ CO •a CD §. 5? rt- o o' >o W ►ci p oq o o H> H ►-. p a. DESPATCHES ;# FROM MR. ALCOCK, HER MAJESTY'S ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY AND MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY - IN JAPAN. Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. 1860. - ' ■ ' ' ' ■' ' -m. .. ■ , II J. .JL LONDON: FBINTSO BY HAKRISON AND 90NS« |L LIST OF PAPERS. ^.f-t^L.^-, No. 1. Mr. Alcock to Lord John Ruaaell Three Inclosures. 2. Mr. Alcock to Lord John RubsbU One Inclosure. 3. Mr. Alcock to Lord John Russell Page Ftbrutry 21, 1860 1 March 6, ' . . April 2, ■ ^<.J Despatches from Mr. Alcock, Her Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in Japan. No. 1. Mr. Alcock to Lord J. Russell. — (Received April 27.) My Lord, Yedo, February 21, 1860. ON the 30th of last month the Japanese linguist Twhom I brought with me from China was run through the body as he|[stood close to my gateway, and under the flag which floats over it. He was brought to me bleeding, and died in a few minutes, without being able to speak or give any clue to his assassin, whom he probably never saw. It was a Sunday afternoon ; men, women, and children were within a few yards : but the authorities, as usual, report that they are without any trace of the murderers. It is said by one little girl that she saw two or three men come from a side-path which makes its exit close to the gate — between it and a row of houses — and saw, distinctly, the face of him who, from behind, thrust a short sword into his body. The weapon penetrated completely through, coming out at his breast, and was left sticking in his back. These gentry strike home, and require no second blow to complete their work. It is quite evident his assassins had laid in wait for him ; and he had already received intimation, through one of the servants, that there was a design to take his life — he having heard it spoken of by some Damios' officers in the bath-house, a place of great resort for persons of all classes ; so that even secresy did not even seem to be deemed necessary. The immediate cause was probably some personal enmity, added to his unpopularity with the whole class of officials, who looked upon him as a sort of traitor to his own country ; because, speaking both English and Japanese, he was enabled to make me in a great degree independent of the yaconins (oflicials attached to the service of the Consul-General by the Government), and was suspected of giving me information not otherwise obtainable nor always palatable to them. Moreover, although a Japanese bv birth (having been shipwrecked and picked up by some Americans ten Years previously, when to be once cast out was to be denationalized by the Japanese law),' he preferred the European costume, seeming to have preserved some old feelings of hostility to the officials and system of government, and determined to identify himself with his new masters. He was unfortunately far from prudent or discreet, and, I fear, counted too much upon the protection it was in the power of the flag to afford. Well known throughout Yedo as, a Japanese in European costume, and in the service of the British Mission, he was peculiarly exposed to the insults and menaces from which none of us have been exempt, and, unfortunately, thoroughly comprehending any abuse levelled at him or his masters he was never slow in giving back in the vernacular at his command quite as much as he received, and much too freely stating his oninion of his assailants. He had thus very often come in collision with Damios' officers and retainers, and only a few days before his death, having: been assaulted by one of these officers in the streets, he had him arrested by the police, and the man being in some degree intoxicated, swore vengeance against him, and was so violent that the police let him go. [2071 - 13 2 2 This officer I insisted should be apprehended after the murder, and made to give an account of himself, and where he was at the time of its taking place, but nothing has come of it. Nor had I ever any hope that through the action of the Government any redress would be obtamed. As the only satisfaction likely to be attainable, I demanded that he should have a public burial, at which two of the Governors of Foreign Affairs should attend, as a demonstration of sympathy and a public disavowal of sanction. Although conceded readily enough at first (as in the Japanese manner), half-an-hour before the procession was to start, in which my colleagues were good enough to take part with me, the two Governors in question arrived to inform me that it was impossible they could follow the body to the grave, as it was against their custom — the usual ground of all refusals to do what they are asked. The obstinacy with which they persisted in this unexpected determination, until I fancy they became alarmed at the construction to which it laid them open, and the serious view I took of their whole action, sufficed to show me how little hope there could be of justice in such cases. My own conviction is, thatif every member of the Mission, with myself at the head, were murdered in the streets to-morrow, or in our own houses, no redress would be afforded, or measures taken to bring the offenders to punishment. As I have stated to Admiral Hope in the despatch of which copy is inclosed, it is impossible to consider life very secure under such circumstances ; and I cannot but deem it very important that the presence of Her Majesty's ships in these waters should be more permanent, and their visits to the ports more frequent. 1 do not know that the whole squadron, were it at anchor in the bay, could save my life if any of these Damios' officers or Tycoon's yaconins were bent on my assassination, Material protection in a shallow roadstead five miles off", ships could certainly not give. It is not the mere personal safety of any one here that I look to, therefore ; we must all trust in Providence and take our chance, with or without ships in the vicinity. But I look to the moral effect, on the Government and the Damios, of a constant evidence that HerJ Majesty's Government deem their servants and the interests in this country of sufficient importance to demand the continual presence of one or more ships of war, in communication with the head of the Mission. I have also the honour to inclose copies of my written communications to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs demanding justice, and the answer, only just received. The Governors have been sent to me with all kinds of protestations of sympathy, and zeal for the discovery of the offenders; notwithstanding which, I confess, nothing would surprise me so much as either their appre- hension or execution. I am not sure, had they by accident been seized on the spot, that these ["same Governors would not have been dispatched to me, urgent with entreaties for mercy, on the plea of danger to my own person and a vendetta from the whole class, if justice were demanded. Such, at least, was the course pursued but very recently with Mr. Harris, the American Minister, who, hustled and assaulted in his own court-yard, as he was entering from a ride, by one of these drunken Damios' officers with his two swords, had no small cause of alarm, and might have been murdered twice over before the yaconins attached to his service, and within twenty yards, would have come to his rescue. His voice, calling for assistance, was even heard by his servants in the house, some distance beyond the wooden lodge at the entrance, where these officers are placed, and not one of them made their appearance. So much for the Japanese Government's measures of protection. As this instance may show, "they cannot be very securely counted upon in any extremity. And even when this drunken ruffian was, by Mr. Harris' order, detained on the spot, half-an-hour afterwards they let him go. So that to all other sources of insecurity there is this in addition, a well-understood impunity for crime when foreigners are the victims. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 1 in No. 1, ^ Mr. Alcock to Rear-Admiral Hope. ^''*' ^ Yedo, February 4, 1860. SINCE I had the honour of addressing you, on the 28th ultimo, on the subject of our relations with this country, "and the expediency of the frequent appearance of Her Majesty's ships, and the necessity for their more permanent detention at the several ports, an untoward incident has supervened here, which tends materially to confirm the correctness of this view. On the 30th ultimo, between 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon, the Japanese linguist of this establishment (long absent from his country, and wearmg European costume), while standing at the gateway, under the flag, was thrust through from behind with a short sword, which was left in his body buried to the hilt. The murder was committed in broad daylight, in a public place, with many people about, and yet the perpe- trator escaped, nor has it yet been possible to obtain any trace of who it is. Nor, I confess, have 1 any hope that the Government will in this case, any more than in the two previous instances of like assassinations where foreigners have been the victims, take any effective steps to bring the offender to justice. This last, in all its gircumstances, exceeds the others in features of gravity ; being not only, like them, a foul and vindictive murder, but from the place, the time, and the individual selected, one which plainly carries with it an outrage to the flag under the shadow of which the victim was struck down, and something of defiance and menace to myself and all who claim its protection. It is impossible to consider life secure where such deeds can be perpetrated with so much audacity, several times in succes- sion, and always with entire impunity. In using this as an argument, however, for urging upon you the importance, and, as I conceive, the necessity, with a view to avoid causes of collision and war in this country, as well as in China, for more than one vessel permanently on the station, 1 do not mean to convey an impres- sion that the deplorable events which have actually taken place are in any way due to the absence of the protection of ships of war, or that their presence would have prevented their recurrence : indeed, the experience of the past sufficiently proves the contrary, for the murder of the Russians took place with a whole squadron under the Russian flag on the spot ; the Chinese servant of the French Consular Agent fell when the United States' frigate "Powhatan " was lying within half-a-mile ; and now the murder of the linguist here was perpetrated when, for the first time since my arrival in Japan, there happened, by the casual visit of the " Roebuck,'' to be two British ships of war in the Bay, whereas many weeks^have often passed without the pendant of a single ship of war of any nation being seen at Yedo. But I am satisfied these long intervals without any ship being here, and the usual absence of all protection at the Consular ports, are a great evil, and threaten serious danger to our relations if they should continue, by emboldening both the Government and the ill-disposed among the ruling classes and their retainers to violate the Treaty, set aside its most important provisions, and utterly neglect all means for securing the life or property of foreigners in the country. And I had reason to congratulate myself on the fortunate chance that gave me, at such a moment, the support required to obtain such poor satisfaction as, I fear, will alone be attainable, namely, a demonstration of sympathy and disavowal of the act by a public burial, at which two of the Governors of Foreign Affairs officially attended. After having been assented to at the first proposal, it was resisted at the moment the procession was about to start ; and I am satisfied nothing but the presence of a ship enabled me to carry my point, and one which I believe to be of great importance. My best thanks are due to Captain Marten for his cordial sympathy and ready support. It is my duty thus frankly to state to you my convictions, in order that you may determine, with full knowledge of the circumstances, what steps it may be right, and in your power, to take to avert new complica- tions in these regions, by giving such moral and effective support to Her Majesty's Representative here as the permanent presence of men-of-war on the station is alone calculated to afford. In reporting the murder of the linguist to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, T shall take the opportunity of forwarding a copy of this despatch for his Lordship's information. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 2 in No. 1. Mr. Alcock to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs. Yedo, January 29, 1860. AT 5 o'clock this evening the linguist of the Consulate-General, Dan Kirche, a Japanese by birth, was brought home dying, having been stabbed through the body while standing near the gate of the Consulate- General. He died almost immediately. This is the third assassination in six months, either of foreigners or the servants attached to them. In the first, a Russian officer and two sailors fell victims; in the second, the Chinese servant of the French Consular Agent at Kanagawa was killed ; and now the third is a most valuable servant Of this establishment. In the two former cases, the Government of the Tycoon has neither traced the assassin nor inflicted any punishment. I have already had occasion to tell your Excellency that impunity is a premium to offenders to commit more crimes. There can be no security to life in a country where a succes- sion of such murders pass unpunished. And where Diplomatic Repre- sentatives of Foreign Powers cannot reside in security, no Treaty relations can be permanently maintained. It remains, therefore, for the Govern- ment of the Tycoon, by their action in the present, and third, case of a foul murder in open daylight, at the gates of the British Representative, to determine what shall be the future relations ; whether such satisfaction shall be given, in the immediate apprehension and speedy punishment of the assassin, as shall yield some assurance of future security to myself and colleagues, or they will virtually declare that we are at the mercy of the first miscreant who desires to commit a murder. Tile yaconins attached to this Consulate have, no doubt, the means of giving your P]xcellency information derived from the people who brought the dying man from the spot where he was murdered. The Governors of Foreign Affairs were immediately informed of the event by the yaconins, but I hasten to acquaint your Excellency myself with the facts, aftid urge you to spare no efforts, and lose no time, in taking the most decisive measures for the discovery and arrest of the murderer. The people of the house at the door of which he was standing must not only be able to give information as to who were the bystanders and witnesses, but, in all probability, know, and must have seen, the assassin commit the act. The gatekeeper also. All those should be instantly and rigorously examined. Only two or three days ago a Damio's officer who was intoxicated, assaulted the deceased, who was on horseback, and on being made a prisoner at my order by the yaconins, he alarmed them by his violence, and they let him go. He threatened the deceased with vengeance. This man ought to be made immediately to appear, for suspicion naturally rests upon him ; his name is on the inclosed slip of paper. The sword of the murderer is in my possession. With respect and consideration, (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 3 in No. 1. The Japanese Ministers for Foreign Affairs to Mr. Alcook. (Translation.) WE acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th January. Its contents, referring to the murder that evening at 5 o'clock of your servant, Dan Kirche, has caused us great and intense sorrow. We imnxediately gave orders to the proper officials to try and find the murderer, who had taken to flight, and also to examine strictly your gatekeeper and the persons whom you supposed could give a clue to the individual in question ; we likewise gave the name of the person mentioned in the slip of paper to the police. With respect and consideration. 28th day of 1st month of 7th year of Ansei Saroo (19th February, 1860). (Signed) WAKISAKA NAKATSKASANO TAJU. ANDO TOOSIMANO KAMI. No. 2. Mr. Alcock to Lord J. Russell. — (Received May 11.) (Extract.) Yedo, March 6, 1860. IN my last series of despatches, which will only reach England probably by the same mail as this, owing to the uncertainty in our means of communication with China, I had to report to your Lordship the assassi- nation of a Japanese linguist to the Legation, while standing at my gate. In this, as in all former cases, the assassins have enjoyed a perfect immunity from punishment. There has been a show of activity on the part of the authorities, but nothing effective has been done ; and such assured impunity to crime, where foreigners are the victims, is top certainly fatal to the security of life in Japan. It seems, indeed, but a natural consequence that I should again have to report a case of butchery in the public thoroughfare at Yokuhama, only to be equalled in wanton atrocity by those which have preceded in the same place. In this instance, two unoifending Dutchmen, masters of merchant-vessels, were singled out as victims ; one an old man upwards of sixty. It appears they were walking down the main street of Yoku- hama on Sunday evening the 26th ultimo, about 7 o'clock, just three weeks after the death of the linguist, when they were set upon and literally hacked to pieces. The right hand of one was found nearly a hundred yards from where he fell. He had evidently attempted to ward off a blow, and then run, pursued by his murderers. His left hand was nearly severed at the fingers, and he had half-a-dozen frightful wounds across the head, neck, and body, any one of which would have been mortal. His companion was found equally barbarously mangled and gashed. One blow had nearly severed his arm at the shoulder. There is no clue to the perpetrators, or to their motive. It was not robbery, for the persons of the murdered men had not been rifled. Nor is there the least ground of hope that they will ever be brought to justice. The measures taken on the spot by the authorities, so far as they could be observed, are reported to have been miserably inadequate, and little better than a pretence to save appearances. The deceased were buried on the third day, and the "Camilla" having arrived two days before, I dispatched her from Yedo, in time to enable Captain Colvill to send a party of marines and blue-jackets to attend the funeral. The Russian man-of-war the " Japonitch," also at Kanagawa, did the same. The Governors for Foreign Affairs, after much resistance, were induced to join the corUge ; and this, as in the case of my linguist, with lip expressions of sympathy and regret, is all the satisfac- tion to be looked for, apparently, at the hands of the Government. Under these circumstances, it has been subject of serious considera- tion with the foreign Representatives here, what steps can be taken to secure life, and apply some check to this thirst for the blood of foreigners, which has led to the loss of six lives in as many months, with such unparalleled barbarity and defiant contempt for any law, or efforts on the part of foreign Powers to reach them, as carries with it a serious menace to the existence of every European in the country. It would almost seem as though the promoters and perpetrators of these outrages especially chose those comparatively rare occasions when ships of war do visit the harbour; a fact which gives some sort of colour to a rumour (impossible to trace to any authentic source) that these assassinations are the result of political designs on the part of the Prince of Mito, one of the descendants of the three brothers of the first Tycoon of this dynasty, and from whose families the reigning Tycoon is always taken. It is said he has pretensions of his own to the succession, in lieu of the youth now ruling. That he it was who caused the Russians to be murdered, when Count Mouravieff and a powerful Russian squadron was here ; who set on fire the Tycoon's palace, and has since caused other foreigners to be murdered : all with the view of provoking such a collision with foreign Powers as might allow him to profit by the confusion, and usurp the reins of government. For which divers reasons it is also alleged he is in close surveillance, and confined, in or near Yedo, to one of his residences. I merely mention the report as the cause to which some of the Japanese themselves seem disposed to attribute these reiterated attacks on foreigners, and always at times when most likely to lead to some act of reprisals — when ships of war are at hand ; seeing that for weeks together it often happens that no pendant is to be seen in these waters. It is also worthy of remark that such deeds are only done in this vicinity, where Damios and their retainers are collected in numbers. Nagasaki and Hakodadi are both free from outrages of this grave character. Whatever may prove to be the true explanation, the necessity is urgent and manifest for effective measures to prevent a further loss of life, and restore some sense of security ; this, in the interest alike of Japan and Western States. Merchants will risk a great deal in the prosecutioii of a lucrative trade ; and wherever they are. Government will always desire to send Consuls and Diplomatic Agents for their protection ; and, so far as Great Britain is concerned, I am sure Her Majesty will never want servants ready to occupy this or any other post of danger and responsibility. But I am not so sure those hostile to foreign relations in Japan may not nourish the hope that if they could cut off present incum- bents, and kill or scare away the first pioneers of trade and diplomacy, they would succeed in striking such terror into the hearts of others, as to relieve the country of their presence altogether. It will certainly not be my fault if they act upon any such delusion. I have already, on more than one occasion, taken the opportunity of publicly telling the Ministers, who are of the Damio class, that my "loss would be no gain to them, since there would be no lack of successors, or a thousand, if required, to carry out the Queen's commands, without fear, and possibly with larger means for enforcing good faith and respect for Treaty rights. Still, however true this may be, both of merchants and public servants, it cannot be denied that, in a country where life is eminently unsafe, and the Government *"'sither prevents the commission of crimes nor brings the perpetrators j justice, no commerce can take root, nor Treaty relations be perma- atly maintained. This also I endeavoured briefly, but emphatically, convey to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs when I saw them the day : .er the murder, without any result, however, so far as I can see. Whe :r the cause be want of power or want of will' it seems quite clear thr nothing has been done, and nothino- evidently will be attempted, adequate to the end, unless means be found'^by foreign Powers to bring greater pressure upon the Government of the Tycoon- upon it in the first instance ; for, as regards the Damios. individually and collectively, whom it may be necessary to intimidate before peaceful relations can be assured, it is yet a problem how they are to be reached Their inaccessibility is the chief element of tlicir strength; and if they are bold and uncompromising in their hostility, I believe it is due to their knowledge of the fact that they are unass.',uial)le, without grear effort and costly preparations. My colleagues, the Representatives of the United States of America and of France, concurring in the nceessity of pressure in some tangible shape, have agreed, as a first step, to join in n collective protest on the subject of these continually recurring murders, and the as constant denial of justice. This course we have hitherto avoided, though always acting in concert, desiring to reserve such collective action for an occasion as grave and important to our relations as this is, that it might have the more weight from its novelty. And, secondly, it has also been mutually agreed — the better to bring to bear some instrumentality by which the members of the Government may be made to feel something more than a mere protest in words is meant — that, on the Dutch Consul preferring a claim for heavy indemnity for the surviving families of the two murdered men, it shall have our full and deliberate support, as the Representatives of the three Powers who alone have Diplomatic Agents at Yedo, As regards other measures of protection, I beliveve those most to be relied upon, as I have instructed the Acting Consul at Kanagawa to inform the community in a notification (the copy of which is inclosed), rest with ourselves. The Government have long urged upon my colleagues and myself here their desire to hav^e us always accompanied, when we go out, by yaconins (Tycoon's officers) for our personal protection. And we have at last consented, with reluctance I confess on ray part, to waive, for a time at least, our objections to what seems to be a means of curtailing our liberty, and deferring indefinitely the free enjoyment of a Treaty right to circulate freely throughout the Empire, without fear of violence or ariy kind of molestation. In fact, the Government are suspiciously prone, upon all occasions, to express alarm for our safety, implying a conscious- ness of danger, and want of power to protect us, even in the capital. And it has been oiu' policy, and mine more especially perhaps, to repudiate all such assumptions, and to hold them rigorously to their obligation, if danger there were, to find means of plucking safety from it, without restricting my liberty. We have at the same time felt, however, that, in the face of such continuous acts of assassination, and one at my own gates In open day, it was perhaps hardly fair to the Government to hold them strictly responsible for our security, and yet deny them the faculty to employ the only means on which they professed to rely. As far as 1 am pensonally concerned, I have no faith in the efficacy of such a measure, for any object beyond that of protecting the members of the several Missions from the rudeness or sudden onslaught of two-sworded ruffians, maddened by sake, who might be accidentally encountered in the street. If any hostile Damio, or political party, should deem my removal at any time desirable, I do not consider life would be worth a day's purchase, so easy would it be to secure the services of armed retainers to do the bravo's work, and insure their escape from justice. Our best protection will therefore be found' in a conviction of the uselessness of the crime, and its possible consequences of danger to the existing Government. In reference to the general line of action determined upon by my colleagues and myself, under what will be readily enough admitted to be difficult circumstances, I trust to have your Lordship's approval. It is a small thing for an Agent to incur personal risks, for life is m danger in all places and at all times, even when apparently most secure, and is otherwise nothing worth if it may noti)e freely risked for adequate ends and m a ffood cause • but it is all-important that no mistake should be made either as to the means or the end. A collective protest in firm and decided laneuae-e by the Representatives of three of the greater Western Powers, followed by "a demand for indemnity for the families of the murdered, seems to ffive the best promise of success in two directions. First, in impressing upon the Executive Government the necessity of taking other and far more effective ineasures than any hitherto initiated for the security of li!e If every foreigner who falls "beneath the assassin's knife or tlie swords ol 8 these Japanese swash-bucklers, costs the Government from 20,000 dollars to 50,000 dollars, I think there may be some hope that they will begin to take into serious consideration the conditions of peril and utter insecurity in which every European lives, both in the capital and at Kanagawai. Something must be done, and that promptly, in the way of prevention if a further sacrifice of life is to be averted. Secondly, I think we maj^ thus succeed in bringing the Tycoon's Government, and perhaps a section at least of the Damio class, to reflect that, although assassination in the highways cannot be made a casus belli, yet repeated murders, apparently from political motives, and a like continued denial of justice in the punishment of the offenders, on a plea of incapacity or impuissance, whether wound up by the assassination of a foreign Representative or not, can scarcely fail to lead to serious complications menacing the security of those imder whose rule such things are done. Looking to the tendency of such continued atrocities to put an end to commercial relations, by scaring from the coasts the most enterprising traders, to whom peaceful occupation and security to life as well as property, are among the essential conditions of pecuniary investments, I cannot but feel anxiously alive to the necessity of improvement ; and to this end I have sought and obtained the ready concurrence of my colleagues in the course proposed. The progress which trade has made both here and at Nagasaki this six months past, in spite of every obstacle, whether in currency, mono- polies, or official interference, is so far from discouraging that it must be matter of surprise as well as congratulation. The want of system and honest dealing in the Custom-houses hitherto, and the desire of merchants to keep to themselves the particulars of a trade from which enormous profits are being realized, has apparently rendered it impossible for the Consuls at the different ports to give me any complete Return, even of British trade. But, from all the information which has reached me from various sources, private and official, I feel quite satished the collective trade of the three ports during the first six months after their opening by Treaty, if correctly returned, would not be short of 1,000,000Z. sterling, — a large sum for an opening trade under such conditions ; and the profits have been such as rarely fall to the lot of merchants even in the East. Of course this cannot last; large profits bring competition, and increased demand diminishes and enhances the value of supplies in the market. But while it lasts, the harvest is, and has been, rich to an unusual degree. In confirmation of this general view I may state, upon the authority of one largely engaged in the trade, and well advised of what his neigh- bours are doing, that not only has a large trade been done, but what is more satisfactory still, tea and silk, both of which promise to be the great staples of a future commerce, have taken a prominent place: the tea being excellent in quality, and the silk promising to realize better prices than the Chinese. Of the latter I am informed 3,000 bales, say 2,000 piculs of raw silk, have been shipped, worth from 450 dollars to 500 dollars per picul, say 1,000,000 dollars, and yielding, I am assured, a profit of 40 per cent. Tea in considerable quantity has been sent to the American market, with high anticipations of a good out-turn. I have had so much to report to Her Majesty's Government of a disheartening character ; so often to write of difficulties and perils menacing- all it is our object to protect, that I rejoice to be able to close even this despatch, telling of repeated assassinations and a hopeless denial of justice, with a glance at facts of very different character and so full of future promise. It will not be unsatisfactory to your Lordship to have these before you in considering our policy in Japan, and it will otherwise serve, I hope, to prove to your Lordship that, however pamfully and fully occupied in facing difficulties, which seem to be ever springing up anew under my feet, I do not lose sight of what may yet repay all the efforts at present required, and am only too glad to find encouragement myself in the hopes and promises of a better time. Inclosure in No. 2. Notification. British Consulate, Kanagawa, February 29, 1860. THE Undersigned, Her Majesty's Acting Consul at Kanagawa, has been instructed by Her Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in Japan to express his deep concern at the recent murder of two foreigners at Yokuhama, and to lay his injunctions upon all British subjects not to leave their homes at night to traverse the Japanese quarter of Yokuhama, or pass between that settlement and Kanagawa without urgent necessity ; and in that case to be especially careful not to venture out unarmed, nor without lanterns and attendants. Whatever may be the obligations of the Japanese Government to provide for the security of life, by night as well as by day, throughout their dominions, and more especially at the ports opened to foreigners for their residence and trade, some reference must be had to the means at their disposal for the prevention of crime and the customs of the country. If, as Her Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary has been informed, it is wholly contrary to the customs and habits of the Japanese themselves for any of the more respectable classes to go out after dark ; and if compelled on any emergency to do so, they are careful not to go without attendants and lights, from an acknowledged and well-known sense of insecurity; it is too much to expect that any Government can, on the mere requisition of foreign Powers, insure safety to those strangers who utterly disregard all such precautions and measures of security which are quite within their own power. The Undersigned is further directed to advise all British subjects, masters of vessels and others, for their own sake and that of the whole foreign community, to use their best influence and exertions wherever these can be brought to bear with effect, to prevent sailors, servants, and others going about drunk, and otherwise offering unprovoked violence to Japanese. He learns with deep regret that such provocations were not wanting even on the day preceding the murder, and it is too much to be feared may have been in some degree connected with the wanton assas- sination of two unoffending foreigners. He is, at all events, convinced that while these two concurrent circumstances exist — scenes of violence and drunkenness by day, and incautious moving about after dark without attendants, lights, &c. — such grievous attacks on life will follow inevitably. For the present, at least, security to life and property will be more certainly insured by such measures as it is in the power of foreigners themselves to take, than any which can be looked for from Japanese officials. (Signed) F. HOWARD VYSE, Her Majesty's Acting Consul at Kanagawa. No. 3. Mr. Alcock to Lord J. Russell. — (Received June 6.) My Lord, Yedo, April % 1860. ON the morning of the 24th of March, as the Go-tai-ro, or Regent, was on his way to the Tycoon's castle, surrounded by his retinue, a band of seventeen men made a sudden attack on the cortege, intending to slay him in his norrimon. They did not succeed, it appears ; but there is something so illustrative of the state of the country, the times, and the people, in the whole affair, that a short account of the details will not be without interest. None but the most determined men, willing to sacrifice their lives (had the largest number given been doubled), could have ventured on such a desperate enterprise. They do not seem, however, to have omitted anything calculated either to ensure success in their object, or their own escape afterwards. As regards the plan of attack, the choice C 2 10 of time, place, &c., some strategic skill was shown. The morning selected was wet and bleak, altarnately snowing and raining heavily, from which they derived a double advantage. Their adversaries were all hampered by rain-coats and vtaterproofs, ill prepared to use their arms; while they themselves were enabled to conceal beneath the same ample vestments their equipment and coats of mail, and .approach close without giving rise to suspicion. The distance to be traversed was so short, they were very limited as to choice of place; for the Go-tai-ro's mansion stands on a gentle acclivity, not 500 paces from the bridge and gate leading to the Tycoon's Palace ; and a broad road between the house and the bridge lies along the edge of the great moat. A wider space is formed by a broad road which debouches on the bridge coming from the city, at the angle where the two roads meet, and here they made their attack, one of their number pretending to thrust himself between the advanced guards and the norrimon which bore the Regent. Those immediately about his person on each side rushed to the front, when the rest of the conspirators, profiting by the confusion, and throwing off" their rain-cloaks, discovered themselves armed to the teeth in coats of mail, and made a dash at the norrimon, severing the hands of some of the bearers off at a blow, and making- desperate thrusts through the sides of the vehicle in which the Go-tai-ro was seated. Several of the attendants were cut down, two of the assailants also were killed on the spot. While the mfilee continued, some officers from the adjoining Damio's house, seeing the danger of the Go-ttii-ro, rushed out; and snatching the norrimon up in their arms, bore it away, and thus rescued its occupant from his perilous position, not, however, before he had received several v/ounds. The attacking party, seeing all was lost, and overpowered by numbers, took to flight. One being too badly wounded to make good his escape, after a short effort, his companions instantly struck off his head, and one of them ran off with it, so that, living or dead, its owner might tell no tales. This man was only arrested at some distance, and after he had (lashed through a gateway across the road. His flight cost the officer in charge of the gate his life, as he was ordered the next day to perform the " iiari-kiri," and despatch himself, as the penalty of his inefficient guard. The Damio also, whose office it is to guard the bridge and gate which leads to the Tycoon's, and whose house is situated just at the anfle, has been imprisoned within his own walls; and to-day, as I rode past, I'saw his gateway boarded up. Fie is not even allowed to cook any food; but under cover of the night, his people are said to be allowed to find m'eans of saving him and his family from dying of starvation. From this rapid history of the affair in its leading circumstances, it will be seen that such an event is well calculated to give r^'se to seribus reflections as to the state of the country. So far as I have the means of judging, it has created a profound sensation among the ruiino- Powers All the gates of the city were dosed at night ; a large increase to the number of police and officers attached to each of the Legations was instantly made, with a brief verbal intimation that they were" anxious for our safety. I had only just arrived from Yokuhama the morning of the attack, having left both my colleagues there after our consultations on the spot as to the distribution of land. Since then, new gates fences and guard-houses have sprung up in various directions, about the Leo-ations and in the city. On the third day after the event, the INIinisters of Foreio-n Affairs sent two of the Governors to give me official information of ttic scantiest kind, and that in some degree extorted, to the purport that an attack had been made. Several of the assailants had been seized and they were in hot pursuit after the remainder, who certainly could not lonp- escape, since in their hands they held the means (by torture was imnlied but not expressed) of gaining all needful information. Two of those who fled. It is reported, finding their pursuers gaining upon them, deliberatelv stopped, and laying bare the abdomen, performed the " hari kiri " • it being a point of honour never to interrupt or interfere, even for the end^ of justice, with a man so honourably engaged. Here, then, is the highest personage in the Empire,' after the Mikado and the Tycoon, close to his own residence, on the great highway of the 11 official and moated quarter, surrounded by his own retinue (always a large one) preceded by a brother of the Tycoon with his retinue still in sight, and loUowed by another high Damio and his escort, all of whom, it appears, were mute spectators, attacked by a small armed band, variously represented as ten and seventeen in number, with a desperation which shows they must have deliberately consented to the sacrifice of their lives to obtam the end. They were the Prince of Mito's men, one of the "Go-san- kay as the three brothers of the Tycoon are styled, a disaffected prete'nder *5J <^he succession. His territories lie some seventy miles from Yedo, behind the head of the Bay, and it is said they are a prey to insurrection among the followers. The old Prince, soon after the death of the late Tycoon, was deposed, for plotting against the young Tycoon, and his son, a man of about 40, was installed in his place; such being the usual practice when the head of a house falls into disgrace. We appear in these Isles of Japan, then, to be transported back to Europe in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, or still earlier, when feudal princes and nobles lived, surrounded by armed retainers, raised their own levies, and waged war on each other, or their suzerain, as passion or interest might suggest—chiefs who settled their own feuds by a guet-a-pens for the assassination by their followers of an obnoxious rival — the times of our own Richards and Henrys— of Francis 1— the Charles and Henrys of France— or the Guelfs and Ghibelines of Italy. The question which first suggests itself on a review of the facts is one of grave importance. Is this a commencement of a civil war for the succession, or merely a feud between the Prince of Mito and I-kamono- kami, the hereditary Regent of a minor ? or was it merely an attack of "loonings," as the Government would have us believe — disbanded soldiers and ruffians? Whatever may be the true answer, a country where seventeen men can be found, at the bidding of any master, to devote themselves with a sort of heroic contempt for death, almost without a chance of escape, and to that which is more terrible still, torture, such as the Japanese employ with truly Oriental refinement, can offer little security either to individuals or Governments. And to this conclusion the Ministers and Council of State would appear to have arrived, if one might trust their own acts and speech. As regards the foreign Representatives here, and the Consuls at Kanagawa, either the Japanese oflFicials designedly exaggerate their sense of alarm (too ready as they are to turn everything to account, in order to ciTrtail our liberty and make us virtually prisoners in their keeping), or they have seen cause for great anxiety. They have certainly displayed no ordinary diligence in providing ostensible means of protpction : I say ostensible, for if it were .indeed a part of the designs of any Damio,- as it has been said to be that of the deposed Prince of Mito and others, to have us massacred, in order to embroil the actual Government with the Western Powers, I cannot say I have any faith in our two-sworded officials ; I doubt if they would be the slightest safeguard against such determined assailants as those who recently undertook to kill the Go-tai-ro in the midst of his escort; and where these came from, more doubtless are to be found of the same stamp. When the Ministers, then, send two Governors of Foreign Affairs, as they have done to-day, with instructions to urge upon me and my colleagues the extreme danger of stirring outside our gates, there being so many of these same " loonings" abroad, and request- ing that we would consent to imprison ourselves within our respective Legations, or take the risk and peril of anything that might happen on ourselves, it is difficult to say what are the proportions of truth and of Statecraft which enter into such representations, f could only answer that under no circumstances could I consent to this virtual imprisonment, or release them from their responsibility to afford efficient protection ; and 'finally, that such danger as they hinted at, would reach me just as certainly within the gates of the Legation as without. "" All speculation on such possible contingencies must, on the other hand, be idle, for the simple reason that nothing the foreign Representa- tives can do, short of abandoning their post, could materially influence 12 the issue, or afford that security which the Regent himself vainly hoped he enjoyed in the capital, surrounded by his own people. It is reported that he sent a despatch off instantly, to be sent on at the rate of ten miles an hour to his dominions, a distance of some 220 miles, with orders to muster all his armed retainers, and join him without delay. I thought it right, on receiving the official intelligence, to address a few lines of condolence to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and of congra- tulation also, at the escape of the Go-tai-ro out of the hands of the assassins. I added, that possessing some surgical experience, my services should be at the disposal of the Regent ; but I have little idea that they will be accepted, nor have I much reason to desire it, under all the circum- stances. Yet looking at the low state of their medical and surgical knowledge, it seemed but an act of common humanity, as well as of courtesy, to make the offer ; and I trust your Lordship will approve of my having taken this course. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 5) ■< S f > o a a h< t=l a, z a o 8 #5* X >« ET > !S H O O ^ •ti a. s 5' 03 S d » 3 a a. 1 s > a ?r o M* o (D PT* 1-1 >' >