THE SEVENTEENTH WAR : IN JAPAN. ^^ 



THE SEVENTEENTH WAR: IN JAPAN. 



1863. 



It is not possible, said Mr. Richard, for Englishmen to go anywhere 

 without marking their steps with fire and blood; and this remark, if true, 

 has a certain application in the causes of the War with Japan in 1863 



British intercourse with Japan shows that, first of all. Englishmen 

 thrust themselves upon them in the teeth of all their strong 

 prejudices, and then compelled them, at the mouth of the 

 Cannon, to enter into a Treaty of Commerce with us ; but, 

 further, they affront their feelings and violate their customs ; and 

 having by these means provoked them, exact from them demands, 

 and in default scatters havoc and ruin amongst them. The War 

 against Japan in 1863 may be traced to these causes, and the 

 incident which provoked this War was as contemptible as it was 

 disgraceful. 



It appears three English gentlemen and a lady, whose names 

 deserve notoriety — Mr. Richardson, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Marshall, and 

 Mrs. Borrodaile, were riding on the high road leading from Yokohama 

 to Yeddo. 



At a distance of several miles from Yokohama they met a Pro- 

 cession of Princes, and, as it is customary for all people who meet 

 such Processions to retire at their approach, or to kneel while it 

 passes (neither of which they would do), though they had been 

 warned repeatedly of it, they were attacked, and one of the party killed. 



The representative of England made a demand for reparation : — ■ 



1. An ample apology. 



2. The payment of _;^ioo,ooo. 



3. The trial and execution of the guilty parties ; and, in the event 

 of refusal, the Admiral of the Fleet on the Eastern Station to take 

 what measures he thought necessary. 



The Government of Japan conceded two of the demands — the 

 apology and the payment of ;^ioo,ooo; but this not being sufficient, 

 and without attempting any further negotiations, Vice-Admiral Kuper 

 was ordered to enforce the demand. 



The British Squadron bombarded Kagiosima, with its population of 

 180,000 souls, and soon the whole Town was in flames, and laid 

 in ruins. 



The bombardment continued two days. At the end of the first 

 day's operations the ships in the harbour and one half of the Town 

 were in flames, and the following day the bombardment was continued. 



