Van Valkenburgh to William H. Seward, September 20, 1866

Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.

Sir: On the 18th of July, as stated in my despatch No. 38, of date of September 18, the Mikado issued to the Tycoon an order directing him to commence hostilities against Prince Choshu, who for some time had been in a state of rebellion against the government.

In compliance with this order the Tycoon at once made preparations to move upon Choshu’s forces, and on the 24th of July a communication was received by W. P. Mangum, esq., United States consul at Nagasaki, from the governor of that place, (a copy of which is herewith transmitted,) requesting that he issue to American citizens a notice that they must not anchor in the ports of Suwo and Nagato, and giving the reasons for this request being made to him by the governor. This letter of the governor of Nagasaki was referred to the legation.

On the 1st and 4th of August, despatches were received from the Gorogio, by Mr. A. L C. Portman, then chargé d’affaires, requesting that he would issue a notification forbidding the anchorage of American vessels in the straits of Simonoseki or their passage through those straits.

In compliance with the request of the Gorogio, as expressed in these two communications, Mr. Portman at once issued to each of the United States consuls in Japan a notice, a copy of which is herewith enclosed, and communicated his action to the Gorogio. On the 7th of August a similar notification was issued by Mr. Von Polsbroeck, H. N. M’s political agent and consul general a copy of which is herewith transmitted.

On the 10th of August, Choshu sent a communication, announcing that war had actually broken out, and requesting that American ships might not approach the coasts of Suwo and Nagato by night, and that they would always show their colors in order that they might not be mistaken for enemies. About the same time a notification, especially intended for the people of the disaffected districts, was circulated from the Japanese war department.

On the 28th of August I had a long interview with Sir Harry S. Parkes, her Britannic Majesty’s envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, and we came to an understanding, in pursuance of which he issued, at the times on which they bear date, the three several notifications enclosed herein.

In pursuance of the same understanding and in furtherance of Mr. Portman’s notification of August 4, I issued on the 11th of this month the enclosed notice and regulation for the guidance of American citizens during the pending hostilities.

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

Notification.

The attacking forces have now been directed to advance, because Daizen, father and son, have been prevented, by evil persons, to behave penitently, although they have before reported themselves undergoing submission.

This expedition is only directed against those evil-doers whose opposition to the judgment of the government is only contemplated to make the offences of Daizen and son worse. As this expedition is intended to punish these men only, those that remain orderly in the interest of the country have nothing to fear. Even those that have plotted together with the evil-doers but repent of their offences and submit themselves shall be pardoned, and those that indicate the whereabouts of the evil-doers shall be duly rewarded. Peasants and citizens shall remain undisturbed and continue their usual occupations and professions. Old men and children should be removed for a time from the scene of battle, to a place of safety where no harm shall reach them.

The above notification is to be circulated among the people of the two provinces of Suwo and Nagato without exception, and they are carefully to bear it in mind.