Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I received a letter from Higashi Kuze Chinjio, announcing that the Mikado intends to take up his residence at Yedo, and that the name of that capital has been changed into East Kioto.
In the interval that must necessarily elapse between the conception and the execution of this project, it is quite probable that the military operations will have assumed larger proportions, and that this may induce a postponement of this contemplated change of residence.
The removal of the Mikado would involve a great many changes, all so very difficult of accomplishment, particularly at this season, that I have reason to doubt whether it will ever be seriously attempted.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.