[seal.] PAUL FRANK, United States Consular Agent to Van Valkenburgh, February 6, 1868
Mr. Blake to Mr. Van Valkenburgh.
Dear Sir: In accordance with your request, I herewith beg to lay before you the facts which came under my own personal observation in connection with the unfortunate occurrence which took place within the foreign concession limits on the day before yesterday.
On the day above mentioned, say Tuesday, February 4, at about half-past two o’clock p. m., while standing in front of the house occupied by myself on the main street of the town, witnessing the passage by of a train of Daimio’s retainers coming from the direction of Hiogo, and going towards Osaka, I heard the discharge of firearms in quick succession from the direction of the foreign concession close by, and looking up the street saw a two-sworded officer quickly dismount from his horse, and the baggage carriers along the street, in both directions, in a state of great confusion.
I immediately ran up the street to the boundary of the concession, to learn the cause of the disturbance, calling out to Mr. W. H. Morse, United States consular agent for Osacca, whose house I passed on the way, to follow; and on gaining the head of the street saw the armed men of the train, with rifles, or firearms of some description, scattered along in the vicinity of the road, firing (apparently as fast as they could load) towards the English consulate and custom-house, occupied by the ministers of the foreign legation, and at all foreigners in sight.
Seeing this open attack, I made at once with all speed across the open space towards the buildings above mentioned, but had not proceeded far when I saw the body of a man lying off to the left, about one hundred and fifty yards from the road and the firing party, which appeared to be again marching; noticing the man move, as if endeavoring to rise, I ran towards him, and had got within about twenty yards of him, when I saw two of the Japanese step forward from their ranks, take deliberate aim, and fire at me a few seconds after the other, the whistle of both balls sounding in close proximity. I retreated a few paces, and the train appearing to be again on the move, I reached the man, who appeared seriously wounded about the chest by a rifle ball, and lifting him as much as possible from off the ground, commenced dragging him out of reach of further danger, when, being joined by Mr. Morse and another gentleman, whose name is at present unknown to me, we lifted and carried him towards the custom-house.
The wounded man, I have subsequently learned, was one of the crew belonging to the United States steamer Oneida, now lying in this harbor.
I remain, dear sir, your obedient servant,
F. BLAKE.
His Excellency General R. B. Van Valkenburgh, United States Minister to Japan.
Consular Agency of the United States of America, Hiogo, Japan, February 7, 1868.
On this seventh day of February, A. D. 1868, before me, Paul Frank, consular agent of the United States of America for Hiogo and the dependencies thereof, duly appointed and sworn, personally appeared Mr. F. Blake, to me personally known to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing statement, and who acknowledged to me that he executed the same freely and voluntarily to and for the uses and purposes therin named.
Given under my hand and the seal of this consular agency, the day and year in this certificate first above written.