No. 290.

Mr. Fish to Mr. Motley.

No. 186.]

Sir: Information has been received from the minister to Japan that the authorities of that empire have engaged in a systematic persecution of the native Christians. It appears that these converts to Christianity were residing at Urakami, a settlement at the head of Nagasaki Bay, where they were peacefully and prosperously pursuing their avocations, giving obedience to the temporal authorities.

The late revolution in Japan, however, brought into power the Mikado, whose partisans claim for him ecclesiastical and spiritual, as well as temporal, power.

Because the native Christians could not conscientiously comply with the established ordinances and observances, which they regarded as idolatrous, it was determined to transport them from peaceful homes, to seize upon their properties and to distribute them and their families through the different parts of the Japanese empire.

The representatives of the treaty powers, hearing of this meditated cruelty, took prompt measures to prevent it, if possible, by energetic protests. The Japanese authorities met their protests by evasion; and while holding the conferences with the European ministers, transported their Christian subjects to the number, of about three thousand; and when at a subsequent interview the reasons for this course were demanded, they replied: “We do not remove this people on account of their professions of the Christian faith, but on account of their actions; and this government would have pursued the same course with any other people; and unless we do this we don’t know how we will govern them.”

The protocols of these conferences have been transmitted to Washington by Mr. De Long, and doubtless have been communicated to the cabinet of London.

The course of Mr. De Long, in taking part in these conferences, has been entirely and cordially approved by the President, and he has been instructed to continue to make representations to the Japanese government in the same spirit, when occasion requires.

It is apparent, however, that the transportation of these persons is inspired by the old traditional dislike of foreigners. The government of the Mikado represents that political element. It is possible that, of itself, it would not originate such measures, but it is weak, and the country is in a state of political excitement that borders upon anarchy and revolution.

The government of the Tycoon, that was disposed to cultivate intercourse with the western nations, fell perhaps mainly from that cause. The daimios that supported it have been reduced to submission by fire and sword. The currency of the country is disorganized. Metals have disappeared and a poor paper currency has taken their place, under the influence of which business is affected, and discontent exists. Perhaps it is too much to say that the liberal policy which has prevailed for several years is in absolute danger, but there is certainly ground for apprehension lest in such a political condition, and under the influence of sudden popular pressure, a weak government may be forced to sanction, or at least be unable to prevent, violent measures against the foreigners residing in the empire.

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It has seemed to the President that under these circumstances it will be well, before further instructions are sent to the diplomatic and consular officers of the United States in Japan, and to the naval officers in the Asiatic squadron, to ascertain what the cabinets of London, Paris, and Berlin propose to do in the premises, in order that should there be an apparent unity of purpose in Europe, the policy of the United States may be made to conform to it so far as our interests will allow.

You will, therefore, inquire whether the facts relating to the deportation of the native Christians have been reported to the government of Great Britain; if they have been reported, whether it is proposed to make them the subject of any instructions, and in that case what are the nature and purport of those instructions. You will also inquire whether the cabinet of London contemplates giving any new instructions, or taking any new steps, to secure the safety of foreigners residing in Japan, the better protection of the interests of its subjects there, and the maintenance of the policy inaugurated by the government of the Tycoon.

HAMILTON FISH.

[Similar instructions were sent to the legations at Paris and Berlin.]