SHIMONOSEKI; PEACE CONCLUDED WITH CHÔSHIÛ
Returning to the ship at noon, I found there my acquaintance Itô
Shunsuké, who had come to say that Chôshiû desired peace, and that a
_karô_ or hereditary councillor, provided with full powers, was coming
off to treat. A boat was accordingly despatched to meet the great man,
who shortly afterwards stood on the quarter-deck of the flagship. He was
dressed in a robe called the _daimon_, which was covered with large
light blue crests (the paulownia leaf and flower) on a yellow ground,
and wore on his head a black silk cap, which he took off on passing the
gangway. His queue was then seen to be loose, hanging over the back of
his head like a tassel, and his white silk underclothing was a marvel of
purity. His two companions, who bore a rank next only to his own, wore
their hair in the same fashion, but were without mantles. They were
conducted into the cabin, and presented to the Admirals, the Abbé
Girard, Lowder and myself acting as interpreters. They began by stating
that the Prince of Chôshiû acknowledged his defeat, and desired to make
peace with a view to the establishment of friendly relations. The
Admiral thereupon asked to see their credentials, and finding they had
none, intimated that he would give them forty-eight hours to provide
themselves with a letter from their _daimiô_. They were told that the
letter must contain the substance of what they had said, acknowledging
that he had committed a grievous wrong in firing upon foreign ships, and
begging for peace, that it must be signed with his own hand and sealed
with his seal, and that a copy must be addressed to each of the four
senior naval officers in command.
The conditions imposed were--first, that we should continue to remove
the guns and destroy the forts; second, that we would discontinue
hostilities, they on their side doing the same, but that if they fired
another shot we should burn everything we could lay our hands on in
Chôshiû's territories; third, they must deliver up intact the Dutch
sailors and boat which had fallen into their hands on the 6th; and
fourth, that they should endeavour to induce the villagers to bring off
poultry and fresh vegetables for sale. In order that they might have a
token of a peaceable disposition on our part, a white flag should be
hoisted at the main until the expiration of the time fixed for their
return. They gave as their names Shishido Giôma, adopted son of Shishido
Bizen, minister of Nagato; Sugi Tokusuké and Watanabé Kurata,
councillors. They then returned on shore, leaving communications
addressed to each of the commanders of the allied squadron, which they
had been charged to deliver at Himéshima before the bombardment. They
handed these over at the Admiral's desire, remarking that we should
perceive from the contents that the documents were useless now.
Itô gave me also transcripts of the orders received from the Mikado and
the Tycoon to expel foreigners from Japan, which Shishido certified with
his own hand to be true copies. The translations made of these papers
were afterwards published in the bluebook on Japan, where the curious
can consult them. There is no doubt that they were perfectly authentic.
It was amusing to observe the change which manifested itself gradually
in the demeanour of the envoy, who was as proud as Lucifer when he
stepped on board, but gradually toned down, and agreed to every proposal
without making any objections. Itô seemed to exercise great influence
over him. After the truce was agreed to, the country people ventured
freely along the road near the batteries, and passed on into the town,
no doubt heartily pleased at the termination of hostilities. It must be
said to their credit that the terms were faithfully adhered to by the
Chôshiû people, none of whom, except Itô and Inouyé, had supposed
Europeans to be any better than mere barbarians.
On the 9th September the "Coquette" took the two Admirals through the
straits to visit the batteries on Hikushima, and as usual I accompanied
them to interpret. From the eastern side the strait contracts rapidly,
between lofty well-wooded hills, to a width of no more than six cables'
lengths, and then as quickly opens out again, with the long line of
houses forming the town of Shimonoséki on the northern shore, while to
the left the coast trends away southwards past the village of Moji and
the town of Kokura. In front lay the broad undulating Hikushima. Passing
right out through the strait till we reached the north-west corner of
the island, we turned back again and came along its coast, passing a
little cove crowded with junks, till we came to Lime Point. Here we
disembarked to inspect the site of the batteries, from which the guns
had already been removed by our people. One of the batteries, which
originally had six guns mounted, was cut out of the cliff, and there had
evidently not been time to complete it. Immediately below the parapet
was a single gun in a pit. A little further east was a battery of eight
guns mounted _à fleur d'eau_, and close by was a smaller battery with
four embrasures which had never been armed. The only other sign of a
battery on this island was an old earthwork to the west of Lime Point,
also without guns. Kokura appeared to be strongly fortified, and it was
reported that the Chôshiû people had demanded, but unsuccessfully, to be
allowed to work the batteries against us. The "Tartar," "Dupleix,"
"Djambi," and "Metalen Kruis" had been stationed here since the 7th,
chiefly for the purpose of dismantling the batteries.
Leaving them we steamed up to Kushi saki Point, where three brass and
four _wooden_ guns had been taken. The latter were about four feet long,
and were constructed of single logs with a bore about eight inches in
diameter, having a chamber behind capable of holding about a pound and a
half of powder. Bamboo hoops surrounded the gun from breech to muzzle,
then came a layer of boards, and then more bamboo hoops; the wood itself
was only about 3-1/2 in. thick. The shot consisted of a small bag of
pebbles fastened to a wooden disk, and was intended to act like grape at
close quarters against a landing party. These curious weapons were
simply laid on the earthen parapet, and were not calculated to be used
more than once.
The Japanese had shown themselves very friendly to the working party,
and had themselves carried down the guns for delivery. They were not
improbably glad to get rid of the toys that had brought them into so
much trouble. On returning to the flagship we found a couple of boats
laden with fowls and vegetables which Shiji Bunda had sent on board as a
present. There was a note from him saying that the common people were
much too frightened to come near us to sell supplies, and complaining
that one of the ships had been firing again, an action which, he said,
would tend to endanger the friendly relations so recently established.
But this was a mistake on his part, for no incident of the kind had
occurred. The bumboatmen were shown over the ship, and expressed
themselves much delighted with the novel and wonderful sight. We sent
half of Shiji's present to the French Admiral, and our share was divided
among the officers and men of the flagship.
On the following day the envoys of the Prince of Chôshiû arrived
punctually on board the "Euryalus." Shishido and Sugi, however, did not
make their appearance, their absence being explained to be caused by
illness from want of sleep and the hot weather in combination. Admiral
Küper observed that it was singular how often this sort of thing
happened, and ironically begged that if the negotiations were not
concluded in one sitting, the delegates would take care of their health
until everything was settled. Their names were Môri Idzumo, Minister
(_Karô_) 'Yamada Uyemon, Hadano Kingo (Hadano was afterwards better
known as Hirozawa Hiôsuké) and Watanabé Kurata, councillors (_sansei_),
and Isota Kenzô and Harata Junji of Chôfu, councillors, with Shiji
Bunda. We had looked up the Japanese "blue-book" in the meantime, and
fancied we had reason to suppose the previous envoy had given an
incorrect account of his position, but they were able to clear up the
discrepancy in a satisfactory manner. The officer there called Shishido
Mino had recently changed his name to Shishido Bizen, and retired from
public life in favour of Giôma, who now represented the family. They
produced a letter from their prince which, on being read, was found to
declare in satisfactory terms that he sued for peace. The Admiral then
said: "We quite agree with your prince in desiring peace. It was never
our intention to fight your countrymen. We solely desire to cement
amicable relations between Japan and foreign countries, and to carry on
trade."
Môri replied that these were entirely the views held by the prince.
_Ad. Küper_--"Do you wish us distinctly to understand that you will
offer no further opposition to the free passage of the straits?"
_Môri_--"We do."
_Ad. Küper_--"We should like very much to have an interview with the
prince, for we could concede much to him that we could not perhaps
concede to you. We are ourselves of high rank in our own country, but
will come on shore to meet him at Shimonoséki."
After consulting among themselves they named the 14th September as the
date on which he should come down from his capital to receive the two
Admirals in the town.
_Ad. Küper_--"We will first state our demands, which can be ratified by
the prince when he comes. We shall then be able to explain to him many
matters connected with the customs of foreign countries which will
prevent mistakes arising in future. In any case the transaction of
business will be facilitated and time will be saved by the prince's
coming, as in any case his ratification has to be obtained to the terms
agreed on."
"In the first place, no batteries must be constructed in the straits
until all questions between foreigners and Japanese have been settled by
the Tycoon's government and the foreign ministers at Yedo."
"Secondly, according to the custom of foreign nations in time of war, a
ransom for the town of Shimonoséki must be paid, because we spared it
when we had a perfect right to set it on fire, for our people had been
fired on from the houses. The amount shall be communicated to the prince
himself at the conference which is to take place."
"Thirdly, when foreign vessels passing through the straits are in need
of coals, provisions, or water, they shall be permitted to purchase what
they want."
These conditions were readily accepted by the envoy, who said that as
the tides were very strong in the straits, and both wind and waves
sometimes violent, persons in distress should be permitted to land.
The Admiral then informed him that during our stay we should go on shore
at Shimonoséki to buy whatever we required, and requested him to tell
the townspeople to bring together for sale what they could, in fact to
start a market for the fleet. To this they at first objected, on the
ground that the town had been completely abandoned by its inhabitants,
but eventually agreed to do what was desired. Then Môri got up, and
leaning over to me said confidentially that there was one thing about
which he was very anxious. The peace they had obtained was a most
precious and valuable thing, and they would greatly regret if any
untoward event were to injure our present friendly relations. It might
happen that an ill-disposed person would lie in wait to attack
foreigners, and, to prevent anything of this kind occurring, he begged
that those who went ashore would be on their guard. This was interpreted
to Admiral Küper, who at once replied that we had no fear of any such
evilly disposed persons, but that if a single European were hurt, the
whole town should be burnt to the ground. The Japanese authorities, he
added, were in the habit of saying this sort of thing, solely to prevent
our landing, and it looked to him a little suspicious.
Môri answered that he feared the purity of his intentions in giving this
warning was not understood. He was sure the Japanese authorities would
on their part take every precaution to prevent mishaps, and he had only
mentioned this to prevent mistakes.
_Ad. Küper_--"Very well. We shall not go into the country at all. No
doubt there is a governor in the town. You can give orders to him to
keep out the ill-disposed, and if he cannot defend the place, we will
land and do it for him."
_Môri_--"We will give orders to the governor."
This finished the business part of the conference, but the Admiral was
curious to know the details of what had recently taken place at Kiôto,
where it was reported there had been fighting between the Chôshiû and
Aidzu men. Thereupon Shiji told us a long story, the gist of which was
that after Chôshiû had received the orders of both the Mikado and Tycoon
for "the expulsion of the foreigners," and had acted upon them to the
best of his ability, he got a great deal of abuse for having done so.
Being both surprised and hurt at this treatment, he sent several times
to Kiôto to inquire the reason, but his people were driven out of the
capital, and he was forbidden to present himself there again. He became
indignant at this injustice, and his retainers sympathized with him very
strongly. At last a band of them, who could bear it no longer, set out
for Kiôto to demand an explanation from the Mikado's ministers. They
took swords, spears, and other warlike weapons in their hands. For why?
On a former occasion, nay twice, Aidzu had put to death every Chôshiû
man to be found in Kiôto. So, said they, "Aidzu may attack us also, and
then we must defend ourselves; we will not be killed for nothing." The
prince, happening to hear of their departure, sent three of his
ministers (_karô_) to recall them, but they refused to return. Then the
governor of Kiôto summoned Chôshiû's agent at the capital to send the
men home again, "for if you don't," said he, "I shall attack them."
However, the agent refused, and a battle ensued. When the "Barrosa" came
the first time to Himéshima with the letters of the foreign
representatives, the prince despatched his son to communicate with the
Mikado, but owing to the disturbed state of affairs he was unable to
effect anything. Shiji hoped we would not believe that the Chôshiû clan
harboured any treasonable intentions towards the Mikado, and the whole
truth was that they had simply tried to get an explanation of the manner
in which they had been treated. He added that we ought not to put any
trust in what was told us by the Kokura people or the junk sailors, who
came from Yedo and Hizen and all parts of the country, and were enemies
of Chôshiû.
Our visitors were then conducted over the ship, and after being
entertained with some music by the band they went over the side, and we
parted on very friendly terms.
A comparison of dates with the account given in Adams, chapters 25 and
26, of what had passed at Kiôto during the summer, shows that the
Chôshiû clansmen were marching from Ozaka to Kiôto at the very time that
Itô and Shiji landed from the "Barrosa" and reached Yamaguchi to convey
the messages of the foreign representatives to the princes. From time to
time other bodies of Chôshiû men reached the capital, and the
accumulated elements of civil war finally exploded on the 20th August,
before the younger prince of Chôshiû, who seems to have really started
from home to calm the excited spirits of the clansmen with news of a new
enemy in their rear, had time to arrive. The best fighting men were
consequently absent when the allied squadron appeared at the straits,
and our victory was therefore a much easier affair than it would
otherwise have been. I doubt whether any of the fugitives from Kiôto got
home in time to take part in the defence of the place.
Next day Captain Hayes of the "Tartar," Major Wray, R.E., and I went
ashore for a walk through Shimonoséki. The eastern end of the town had
received a good many round shot on the 6th September, and some of the
houses were almost knocked to pieces. I believe the Chôshiû men had
brought out a field piece or two and fired from that point against the
squadron lying in front of Tanoura. This had drawn on them our heavy
artillery. The townspeople were flocking back, and had commenced to
settle down again, but very few shops were open. The common people
followed us in crowds, and appeared very friendly, but the prices asked
by the shopkeepers were exorbitant. We were somewhat surprised, though
of course without reason, to find that the proportion of _curio_ shops
was very small as compared with Yokohama. We saw several soldiers, some
armed with rifles, others carrying swords and spears; they of course
could not be expected to look very amicably at their late foes.
On the 12th, Hadano and the two governors of the town came off to tell
the Admiral that a market would be opened at a wharf called Nabéhama
from ten to twelve in the forenoon for the sale of fresh provisions. We
of course suspected them of having made this arrangement in order to
have everything under their own control, and to keep the prices as high
as possible. The Admiral demanded a market from six to eight o'clock, to
which after much discussion they agreed. I learnt through my teacher
that the people were told to sell dearly to us, in spite of the promise
given to us by the officials that they would not interfere. The latter
had begged that our men might be ordered not to purchase anything in the
shops, on the ground that we should buy up all the provisions intended
for the townsfolk.
On the 13th, Captain Dowell transferred to the "Euryalus" as
flag-captain, vice captain Alexander invalided. Next day I accompanied
the two Admirals on shore to the clean little village of Moji. On asking
some Kokura men whom we met to show us the way up to the battery on the
point where the strait sweeps round, they inquired whether we had
permission from the guard established at a temple close by. The answer
to this astounding query was that we were not in the habit of asking
leave. "Was that the path?" "Yes, that's the path." So we toiled up a
hill through the pine trees, turned to the left, and descended into the
battery, which was constructed for three guns. It commanded a view right
up and down the straits, from Manshiû to Hikushima. It was a splendid
position for guns, though a shell pitched in the line of the work would
of necessity have fallen into it, unless passing very high, as it was
cut out of the hillside. All about it there were places cleared for guns
which would have a powerful effect against ships. The thick brushwood
would prevent any attempt at escalade, and a single gun is not easily
hit. I do not know what might be done with modern artillery, but it was
the opinion of all our engineer officers that if the Japanese of that
day had known the advantages of the position, they could easily have
rendered it impregnable.
At two o'clock in the afternoon arrived the Chôshiû delegates, who by
agreement made earlier in the day were to represent the prince. The
story they told us was that he had voluntarily shut himself up in order
to await the will of the Mikado, or as they phrased it, he had placed
himself in an attitude of respectful attention (_tsutsushindé oru_).
Lest it should be supposed that this is merely a joke, I must explain
that in the old times, whenever a member of the _samurai_ class had
committed an act in person or vicariously which might be expected to
bring down upon him the wrath of his political superiors, he at once
assumed a submissive posture, and as it were delivered himself up, tied
hands and feet, to the pleasure of his lord. It was a sort of voluntary
self-imprisonment as a first-class misdemeanant. We did not accept the
excuse, which it was natural to suppose had been invented to save him
the trouble of travelling to Shimonoséki, but I now incline to think
that horrorstruck at the violent proceedings of his followers who had
dared to fight against the defenders of the palace (and also repenting
of their failure), the old prince had hastened to atone for the crime of
treason, as far as lay in his power, by declaring his readiness to
undergo any penalty that might be decreed by the sovereign--if his
retainers would let him, being understood.
Their names were Shishido Bizen, Môri Idzumo, Shishido Giôma and Ibara
Kazuyé, ministers; and Nawozaki Yahichirô (_metsuké_, a secretary), Itô
Shunsuké, Hadano Kingo and another whose name I did not note down.
Bizen, it appeared, had after all not completely retired from public
affairs. Both the Admirals were present. As soon as the conference was
formed, Admiral Küper asked why they had not let him know earlier that
the prince was in seclusion, as the truce had been granted solely that
there might be time for him to reach Shimonoséki. They answered that the
boat was slow, and they had only arrived late on the previous day. They
had spent a long time arguing with the prince and using their best
efforts to persuade him to come, but he always answered that it was an
old custom from which he could not depart. He was in disgrace with the
Mikado, and was not able to see even his own confidential retainers,
much less could he see the Admirals. They regretted it very much, but it
could not be helped. The prince would have greatly liked to meet the
Admirals.
After this question had been so thoroughly thrashed out that the
Japanese could not but suppose that great importance was attached to a
direct undertaking on the part of the prince, the Admirals' demands were
announced, as follows:--
_Firstly._ Foreign vessels passing through the straits to be treated in
a friendly manner; to be permitted to purchase coals, provisions, water
and other necessaries. If driven in through stress of weather, the crews
to be permitted to land.
_Secondly._ Henceforth no new batteries to be constructed, the old ones
not to be repaired, and no guns to be mounted in them.
This article caused some discussion, for as now put it deprived them of
a loophole that had been left open on the previous occasion. But when
they were asked for what purpose the batteries had been erected, they
had but one answer--"for making war on foreigners." "Well then, those
foreigners having destroyed the batteries, and taken the guns, will not
permit any more to be put in the same place. The article is
indispensable, and must stand as it is." So they agreed to it.
_Thirdly._ The town of Shimonoséki might justly have been destroyed,
because it fired on our ships. But it was left unhurt, and therefore a
ransom must be paid. Furthermore, the prince must defray the cost of the
expedition. The whole amount will be determined by the foreign
representatives at Yedo.
To this our friends offered strenuous opposition. Chôshiû and Bôshiû
were two very small provinces, and possessed a revenue of scarcely
360,000 _koku_ of rice. Of this, 200,000 went to support the retainers,
the balance having been spent in batteries, guns, and all other manner
of warlike equipments. If the sum demanded were beyond their resources,
they could not pay it. There were plenty of men in the province who
cared nothing for their lives in comparison with the fulfilment of their
duty towards the prince. It is he who wishes to make peace, and he has
much difficulty in repressing their zeal. The Admiral replied that they
should have calculated the price beforehand. They had chosen to make
war, and now that the bill was being presented to them, they must pay
it. Finally they agreed to this article, but it struck me that their
object was solely to let us know that their spirit was not entirely
broken, and that if our demands were too exorbitant they would fight
rather than yield.
Last of all we inserted in the draft a declaration that this was merely
a treaty for the temporary cessation of hostilities, and was entirely
independent of any questions connected with Chôshiû which might have to
be settled later on between the foreign representatives and the Japanese
Government. I imagine that this clause had reference to the indemnities
which might be demanded on the part of France, Holland and the United
States. At any rate, it was agreed to without any discussion. A fair
copy was written out, to which two of the _karôs_ affixed their
signatures, and a couple of days were given to them to go to Yamaguchi
in order to obtain the prince's signature. Those who had not previously
seen the ship were taken the usual round through the lower deck and
engine room, and they left in a body.
On the 15th things seemed quiet enough for a little private exploration
on my own account in company with my teacher. We went first to call on
Ibara Kazuyé, one of the envoys who had negotiated the agreement of the
day before, and asked him to come on board to be photographed by Beato.
Then while Hayashi, whose crown was by this time black with a
fortnight's bristly growth, went to a barber's shop to get himself clean
shaved, I strolled about the streets alone, and turned into an
eating-house where we had agreed to meet. The people received me
civilly, and showed me upstairs to a room, one side of which was
entirely open to the air, and overlooked a small courtyard. In the next
apartment were some Chôshiû two-sworded men leaning over the wooden
balcony, who waved their hands to me to go away, but I called out, "What
do you want!" in a fierce tone, and they collapsed immediately, so great
was the prestige of our victory. When Hayashi joined me, we ordered an
_awabi_ to be got ready, and while it was being cooked, devoured nearly
the whole of a ripe water melon. The _awabi_ (rocksucker) was cooked
with sugar and proved terribly tough. Two sorts of _saké_ were served,
and the waiting maid smoked all the while to perfume the room. We wound
up with terrapin soup and rice. During the rest of my stay at
Shimonoséki, which lasted nearly a month, I was constantly on shore, and
never had any trouble with the townspeople, who were always civil and
friendly.
The treaty was brought down on the 16th, and found to be duly signed and
sealed. At the same time the Japanese produced a paper which they wanted
the Admirals to sign, undertaking that the officers and crews should
keep within certain limits, and above all, should not land at night.
There was a good deal of misunderstanding about this document. The Abbé
Girard's teacher maintained that it was a memorandum or note-verbale
from the Chôshiû authorities, and as I was younger and had not the
prestige of the Abbé as a Japanese scholar, I had to give way. So we
concocted a letter in reply, which I wrote out, and took on shore to the
governor. Our letter said that the principal restrictions which the
Japanese asked us to agree to had been granted already, and that as for
the rest, the governor had on the occasion of his last visit said there
were no complaints to make of our people trespassing on either
guardhouses or temples, and therefore it was unnecessary for them to
make such demands. In future, if they had anything to communicate, it
must be done by letter, signed and sealed by Ibara Kazuyé. On reading
this, the governor to my delight said, "Here's a mistake. What I brought
to you was a draft of a letter for the naval commanders to write to us."
The object of the naval operations in the straits having been completely
attained by the destruction of the batteries and the establishment of a
good understanding with the Prince of Chôshiû, preparations were now
made to withdraw the major portion of the allied squadrons, leaving only
three ships to prevent the possibility of the passage being again
fortified. I received orders to remain behind on board the "Barrosa." A
day before the Admiral sailed a letter came from the governor asking him
to give a passage as far as Yokohama to a _karô_ and two officers. The
request was at once granted, but the three passengers not arriving in
time, word was left that they might apply to the French Admiral, who was
to leave a day later. But this they declined to do, having been
instructed to ask for a passage in an English ship, and they would go by
no other. Eventually the "Barrosa" took them.
On the 20th accordingly, all the British ships except the "Barrosa," and
all the Dutch ships but the "Djambi," sailed away up the inland sea
towards Ozaka, the French, however, remaining. I went ashore afterwards
with some officers of the "Barrosa" for a walk, and as we passed the
guardhouse, its occupants called out, "Take off your hats." I replied,
"What do you say." The man on guard, "Take off your hats. This is the
honourable guardhouse of Shimonoséki." Answer from our side, "What folly
do you talk! If you repeat it, the governor shall be informed." So we
passed on into the town to the governor's house and laid a complaint in
due form against the over-zealous guardhouse keeper. The governor
promised to administer a reprimand, and was as good as his word, so that
when some other officers came ashore and passed the same spot, the
Japanese officers rushed out into the road to tell them that they need
not uncap.
I found the townspeople very communicative about the exploits of the
Americans and French in 1863, and from their relation it was easy to see
that while Captain M'Dougall of the "Wyoming" had given a very modest
account of his achievements in the way of sinking ships and firing
houses, the French had greatly exaggerated their own deeds of valour.
The "Wyoming" ran the gauntlet of all the batteries and sank the
"Lancefield" and the brig right in front of the town, whereas the
"Sémiramis" never ventured further than Tanoura. The common folk were
all entirely convinced that the Tycoon had given orders for the
expulsion of the foreigners, and I overheard a man in the market say
"the _Bakufu_ is playing a double game." _Bakufu_ was the most common
term by which the Tycoon's government was then designated. I was asked
whether the Tycoon had asked us to come down and destroy the batteries,
to which I answered "No; but he said he could not open the straits."
Then I gave them our view of the case, which was that the Tycoon,
finding himself in a tight place between the _daimiôs_ and the
foreigners, had to give assurances to both which were inconsistent with
each other, whereupon they all cried out with one voice: "_Homma da_, it
is true." That evening there arrived from Nagasaki the steamer
"Victoria" with the vice-governor of that port and an interpreter.
Passing in front of the town they paid the French Admiral a call, and
then anchored near us in Tanoura Bay. Coming on board to make inquiries,
they asked whether Chôshiû had been beaten, and on our replying in the
affirmative, they produced a copy of the prince's first letter begging
for peace addressed to the _Americans_, which they said had been
furnished to them by the Kokura people. That I told them bluntly must be
a lie, but they would not confess the source from which they had
obtained the document. They said their instructions were to ask the
Admiral not to believe the lies Chôshiû was telling about orders
received from the Tycoon to expel foreigners, and also that having heard
the fleet was going to Ozaka, the governor of Nagasaki, who was afraid
that the appearance of so large a force before the city, fresh from the
destruction of the batteries of Shimonoséki, might cause a panic, had
sent them to prevent any difficulties between the Admiral and the
governor of Ozaka. They were very anxious lest a treaty had been
concluded with Chôshiû for the opening of Shimonoséki to foreign trade,
which would have caused the commercial ruin of Nagasaki; but we declined
to give them any information. Having beaten the Chôshiû people, we had
come to like and respect them, while a feeling of dislike began to arise
in our minds for the Tycoon's people on account of their weakness and
double-dealing, and from this time onwards I sympathized more and more
with the _daimiô_ party, from whom the Tycoon's government had always
tried to keep us apart.
On the 21st the "Sémiramis" and "Dupleix" quitted the straits, leaving
behind them the "Tancrède." Some of us went ashore to the _honjin_ to
inquire whether we could obtain a supply of bullocks for the ship. The
officials promised to do all they could, but said it would be difficult,
as they killed none for themselves. We also asked them to change some
Mexican dollars into Japanese money, which they promised to do at the
Nagasaki market rate, but it was finally arranged that if we found
ourselves in actual need of coin, they should lend us a thousand
_ichibus_, to be returned to their agent at Yokohama. They proved so
obliging that we could not help regretting that in order to gain their
friendship it had been necessary to come to blows with them. And it is
not a little remarkable that neither the Satsuma nor the Chôshiû men
ever seemed to cherish any resentment against us for what we had done,
and during the years of disturbance and revolution that followed they
were always our most intimate allies.
That day we walked the whole length of the town unattended by any guard,
and got a glimpse of the China sea beyond the straits. We met, however,
with a little show of insolence from a couple of two-sworded men, who
motioned us back to our boats, but I discoursed to them in their own
tongue, and they were speedily reduced to silence: the exhibition of a
revolver had something to do with the production of this effect.
Itô came on board one day with a couple of men who, he said, were
merchants, but it was evident from the respect he paid to one of them,
who wore two swords, that they belonged to the high official class. They
were conducted round the ship and entertained with various liquors. He
declared that in all the fighting they had only seven or eight men
killed, and about twice that number wounded, but one of his companions
told me that the number killed was nearly twenty. Itô said that trade
could be done at Shimonoséki in cotton, wax and silk produced in
Chôshiû, as well as in all the productions of the northern provinces and
Ozaka. Probably they might manufacture paper for the English market. The
prince, he added, was very desirous of opening the port to foreign
commerce, but just at present they expected an invasion of the combined
forces of the Tycoon and all the _daimiôs_, and all their attention was
directed to their own defence. The two vessels sunk by the "Wyoming" in
1863 had been raised, and sent round to Hagi. I was surprised to learn
that the batteries at Maeda mura, as well as those at Kushi saki Point,
were within the territory of the _daimiô_ of Chôfu, who was however not
in so far independent that he could stand aside when the head of the
family went to war. Last year, at the time when the Dutch corvette
"Medusa" was fired on as she passed the straits, batteries had existed
on the low hills behind the town, and at two points on the sea front,
but the guns had subsequently been removed thence to Dannoura and Maeda
mura; their fate was to fall into our hands. The small three-gun battery
on Moji Point within the Kokura territory was also the work of the
Chôshiû men, who had levelled land and commenced the construction of
barracks, which were however destroyed by the Kokura people when the
failure of the prince's Kiôto schemes drove him to withdraw within his
own boundaries for self-protection.
We went one day in our boats down to Kokura with the intention of
landing there to walk through the town, but after keeping us waiting an
hour and a half, and repeatedly promising to open the gate, they finally
refused to admit us. They did indeed open it, but only to let out a
couple of fellows, who told us in the lowest of low voices that Kokura
not being a treaty port, we could not be allowed to enter. I took care
to inform them of our opinion that it was a great piece of ingratitude
on their part to treat us in so inhospitable a manner after we had
thrashed their enemy for them. Crowds of people had collected to look at
us, and doubtless we should have been mobbed if we had landed. There was
no idea on our part of forcing our way in.
Towards the end of the month smallpox broke out on board, and W. H.
Cummings, who had succeeded to the temporary command on Captain Dowell's
transfer to the flagship, determined to leave for Yokohama as soon as
the necessary arrangements could be made. On the 27th we applied
therefore to the authorities for a pilot to take the ship through the
inland sea, and gave notice that the commanders of the three ships would
pay a visit to Ibara on the morrow in order to settle about the passage
up to Yokohama which had been promised to him and two other officers. I
took the message on shore, and stopped to have a meal with Itô, who
good-naturedly had made great efforts to get up a dinner in European
style. He had built a table seven feet long by half that width, covered
with a short cloth of some coarse foreign material. Four plates were
laid, flanked by long knives, villainously sharp, attenuated brass
spoons with flat bowls, and a pair of chopsticks. The first dish
consisted of a boiled rockfish, which I found great difficulty in
cutting, but accomplished the task at last by inserting a sharpened
chopstick into the head, and using a spoon to remove the flesh. Soy, a
large bowl of rice, and a small saucer full of coarse salt, were also
placed on the table. The second course was broiled eels, and then came
a stewed terrapin, both of which were very good, but the boiled _awabi_
and boiled chicken which followed were quite out of the question. It was
a problem how to cut up a fowl with a knife that had no point, and whose
blade threatened at every moment to part company with its handle. I
abandoned the attempt, and served my companions with slices from the
breast. Unripe persimmons, peeled and cut in four, with sweet rice beer
(_mirin_) were now produced, and this was excellent. This was certainly
the earliest attempt ever made in that part of Japan at giving a dinner
in European style, perhaps the first in Japan.
It was finally determined that the party that was to visit Yokohama
should consist of Ibara, a councillor named Sugi Tokusuké, a secretary,
and Itô, with four servants, who were to be accommodated on board the
"Barrosa" and "Djambi." The "Tancrède," which was to leave before us,
could not find room for more than half the party, and as they did not
wish to be separated longer than they could help, they elected to come
with us. On the 4th October the "Racehorse," Commander Boxer, arrived to
relieve us. Ibara and his secretary, Yamagata Keizô, and we sailed the
following morning.
News of our successful result of the naval operations and of the
conclusion of a convention with the Prince of Chôshiû was at once
conveyed to the foreign representatives at Yokohama, who lost no time in
calling the Tycoon's government to account for their apparent complicity
with Chôshiû, as evidenced by the copies of orders from Kiôto which Itô
had given us. The explanation was feeble, and the representatives found
no difficulty in obtaining from the ministers their consent to pay
whatever war indemnity might be due from Chôshiû, or else to throw open
to trade a port in the inland sea. Although in the sequel the receipt of
the indemnity money by us actually took place, it was in a manner forced
upon the four Powers and their diplomatic agents, and certainly as far
as Sir R. Alcock is concerned, he may be entirely exonerated from the
accusation of a desire to exact an indemnity from either the defeated
_daimiô_ or the government which assumed responsibility for him. The
principal object he sought was to obtain the sanction of the Mikado to
the treaties, so as to put an end to the agitation against foreign
commerce which had been carried on by hostile _daimiôs_ in the Mikado's
name ever since the opening of the ports. Now that Satsuma and Chôshiû,
the two ringleaders of the opposition, had been brought to their senses,
it ought to have been, he thought, an easy matter for the Tycoon's
government, if they sincerely desired to carry out their treaty
obligations, to assert their authority and compel the whole country to
accept the new policy of foreign intercourse. The fixing of an indemnity
was intended only to provide a means of pressure upon the Tycoon's
government in order to procure the Mikado's ratification of the
treaties, and the consequent extension of commercial relations.
Ibara and his companions reached Yokohama on the 10th October, and
obtained an interview the same day with Sir Rutherford Alcock and Mr.
Pruyn, the United States minister. The reception accorded to them was of
such a nature as to convince them that the foreign powers were not
hostilely disposed towards the _daimiô_ of Chôshiû, and it was no doubt
with a sense of relief that they learnt the intention of the foreign
representatives to claim the payment of the indemnity from the Tycoon.
At the same time it was clearly understood by both parties that the
other engagements entered into by Chôshiû respecting the permanent
disarmament of the straits of Shimonoséki and the hospitable treatment
of foreign vessels were to be faithfully adhered to, and on these heads
his subsequent conduct gave no ground for complaint. It was somewhat a
curious position for the retainers of a prince, who had been declared a
rebel against the Mikado and enemy of the Tycoon, to land at Yokohama, a
port belonging to the latter, but as far as I remember, they confined
their visit to the foreign settlement, where they were safe from
interference, and on the 14th the "Tartar" left with them on board to
return to their native province.