Joseph Heco

“ On the other hand, Hotta Bitchiu-no-kami and his fellows in the Tokugawa Council of State, led by Ii-Kamon-no-kami, held that the time had come when the influx of foreigners could no longer be stayed.
“When Commodore Perry came and left the letter from the President of the United States of America asking for a Treaty of Amity, the Yedo Government at once despatched a member of the Council of State to Kiōto, to obtain the Mikado's consent to a Treaty with the U.S. of America. ”

“ It is just reported that Yedo has been placarded by some unknown hand with notices forbidding any silk to be sent to Yokohama and threatening anyone sending it with a heavy penalty.
March 2nd. We have just heard from Kiōto that the manufacturers have begun to buy up all the raw silk of the “Ida” class, and that in consequence the price of this kind of silk has advanced to 700 rio per picul. Foreign piece goods are in great demand there, and the holders in Yokohama have raised their prices. ”

“ Those in office were mostly in favour of the measure; those not in office for the most part opposed it. Among the latter was the Prince of Mito, who at once hastened to Kiōto and advised the Mikado 'not to
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allow foreigners to land on the sacred soil of Japan, for if he did so, the country would become subject to other nations.' The Mikado adopted his counsel and from this time the Mikado and his party have been anti-foreign. ”

“ S--, physician to the late Gorōjiu Hotta, came in, and in answer to my query as to why the Kiōto authorities were so bent on expelling foreigners from the country, made the following statement:--
“Christianity was introduced into the country in the middle of the 16th Century and during the sway of Nobunaga (the Master of Taikō Hideyoshi) it was favoured by the authorities, and many churches were erected in various parts of the Centre and West of Japan. ”

“ February 6th. The Swiss Ambassador, M. Aimé Humbert, left for Yedo accompanied by the Dutch officials who are to aid in making arrangements for the speedy signing of the Treaty with Switzerland. It is announced that the Tycoon has left Yedo for Ōsaka by sea en route for Kiōto, attended by 3,000 armed men and officers. It is
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further stated that his visit is in order to receive a higher rank from the Mikado before be abdicates in favour of Hitotsubashi.
It would seem that hara-kiri is an institution that is not always appreciated by its victims as it should be. ”