MOORE, United States Vice-Consul to R. B. Van Vankenburgh , United States, February 20, 1868

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Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, on the twelfth instant, of your dispatches, Nos. 20, 26, and 28, all relating to the disturbances at Osaka, and instructing me how to act should war occur at this port between the contending factions.

My dispatch No. 22, of the eleventh instant, will acquaint you with all that has transpired here up to that date, since when the excitement has entirely subsided; the business of the port, both native and foreign, is being conducted as usual, and foreigners visit the native city without being molested, though the number of two-sworded men in town has considerably increased of late.

Although the princes’ agents, now in authority, have so far conducted matters satisfactorily, yet it is very desirable that a governor be sent here as soon as possible, as nearly all of them are largely indebted to foreigners, and as long as they have control here it will be a difficult matter to obtain a settlement with them. Claims to a considerable amount against several of them were some time ago forwarded by me to the late governor, but they still remain unsettled.

I have not yet been able to communicate with our consul at Hakodadi, as requested by you, no opportunity having lately offered for that port.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,