Mr. Portman to Mr. Seward
No. 47.]
Legation of the United States in
Japan,
Yedo,
August 6, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, No.
1, translation of a letter from the Gorogio, informing me that two of
the members at Osacca had commissioned two war steamers to cruise off
the coast of Nagato, under instructions to seize all foreign vessels
engaged in illicit traffic with the subjects of the rebellious prince of
that province.
This letter was handed me with the request that the greatest possible
publicity might be given to it.
I therefore addressed a letter to this effect to Mr. Seward, our consul
general in China, at Shanghai, (enclosure No. 2,) and to the consular
officers in this country, (enclosure No. 3.)
With my reply to the Gorogio (enclosure No. 3) I transmitted an
authenticated copy, in duplicate, of my letter to the consuls above
named, for each
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of those two
war steamers, for the double purpose of enabling their respective
commanders, in the probable absence of competent interpreters, to
communicate with any American vessel, should any unfortunately be found
engaged in such illicit traffic, and to show that both in China and
Japan the consular officers of the United States have been informed of
the presence of those steamers and the subject of their cruise.
On inquiry whether the commanders of those war steamers “would know how
to act” in case of their meeting with any American vessel engaged in
such illicit traffic, it was stated to me that the Japanese government
were not quite prepared to discuss “any question of international law,”
but that I might rest assured that both commanders were cautious
gentlemen, and that, moreover, they had been instructed to act with the
greatest moderation, though it was hoped and believed that there would
be no necessity for any action whatever on their part.
The mission of those steamers, though not fully disclosed, perhaps, is
evidently the blockade of Simonoseki, to prevent supplies of arms,
ammunition, &c., reaching the Prince of Nagato, now bolder than ever
in his overt rebellion against this government.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient
servant,
A. L. C. PORTMAN, Chargé d’ Affaires in
Japan.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington.
No. 1.
I have to inform you that, having learned that foreign ships are
trading clandestinely at Simonoseki, in the province of Nagato, two
ships-of-war, the Shokoku and the Kokurio, stationed at Osacca, have
been sent, on the 25th of July, to cruise off the coast of Nagato
for the purpose of seizing all vessels engaged in illicit traffic.
This has been communicated to me by my colleagues then at
Osacca.
I request you to make the foregoing known to all American
ship-masters who may sail through the straits, and also to the
commanders of American ships-of-war in the eastern seas, in order
that a friendly understanding may exist when the officers of our
respective nations shall meet each other.
With respect and esteem.
The 13th day of the 5th month of the first
year of the Ke-M, (August 4, 1865.)
MIDLUNO IDLUMI NO KAMI.
A. L. C. Portman, Esq., Chargé d’ Affaires of the United States in
Japan.
No. 2.
Mr. Portman to Mr. G. F. Seward
Legation of the United States in
Japan,
Yedo,
August 5, 1865.
Sir: The Gorogio of Japan informed me that,
on the 25th ultimo, two of its members at Osacca commissioned two
war steamers, the Shokoku and the Kokurio, to cruise off the coast
of Nagato, with instructions to seize foreign vessels engaged in
illicit traffic.
In compliance with the desire expressed, I now have the honor to
request you to make the foregoing known to the consular officers of
the United States in China, for the information of all American
citizens within their jurisdictions.
I have the honor to be sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
A. L. C. PORTMAN, Chargé d’ Affaires ad
interim in Japan.
George F, Seward, Esq., Consul General of the United States in China,
Shanghai.
[Same, mutatis mutandis, to United States
consuls at Nagasaki, Kanagawa, Hakodate, and Hong Kong.]
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No. 3.
Legation of the United States in
Japan,
Yedo,
August 5, 1865.
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s note
of yesterday, stating that your colleagues at Osacca had
commissioned two war steamers to cruise off the coast of Nagato for
the suppression of illicit traffic, and, in reply, to inform you
that I have this day given notice to that effect to the consuls of
the United States in Japan, and consul general at Shanghai, for the
information of the American consulates in China.
I transmit herewith a copy of that notice, and also an additional
one, should you desire to send to each of the war steamers named in
your letter a copy certified, and under the seal of this
legation.
With respect and esteem,
A. L. C. POETMAN, Chargé d’ Affaires ad
interim of the United States in
Japan.
His Excellency Midluno Idlumi no Kami,
Minister for Foreign Affairs, &c.,
Yedo.
