[Untitled], January 14, 1870.

[Untitled]

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the persecution against the native Christians, which had been suspended in 1868, has been resumed by the Japanese authorities of this port with an energy worthy of a better cause. Already a number of 3,170 souls— men, women, and children, residing in this vicinity—have been placed on board of various vessels, which sailed from here for different provinces of Japan to be educated there.

On learning this measure, having for object the tearing asunder of all social ties among these unfortunate people, as parents are separated from their children and husbands from their wives, to be distributed and isolated, the consuls of the treaty powers at this port, moved by sympathy for the victims of such barbaric treatment, united in a letter to the governor of this port, copy of which I have the honor to transmit, inclosed herewith. No explanation of the joint note is needed.

At a conference, which all the consuls of the treaty powers attended by invitation of the governor of Nagasaki, in pursuance of their joint note, the representatives of the Japanese government verbally announced to us that in this matter of the deportation of Japanese Christians he simply carried out the instructions which had been sent him by the Mikado government, and the execution of those instructions he could on no consideration delay or suspend.

Neither the remonstrances of the consuls against this barbaric measure, though couched in friendly and courteous language, nor the reference to judgment, which the civilized world will not fail to pronounce in regard to it, had the slightest effect whatever, either in obtaining a postponement of this severe and inhuman purpose or a modification of its execution. Several vessels, foreign and native, also steamers, have sailed from this port and from the Bay of Tokitu, on board of which the Japanese Christians have been sent to places which, notwithstanding my best and repeated endeavors, I have found it impossible to ascertain. All questions in this respect the Japanese authorities answered evasively by saying that those people would be sent to different provinces.

The deportation of the Christians has taken place without creating the slightest disturbance among the remainder of the population.

The Japanese Christians chiefly resided at Urakami, a village situated at the head of this bay; at Ipongi, another village, and in the vicinity, and also the town of Nagasaki.