Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1859-02-02
Death Of the Emneror Of Innnn.

The iollwing curious and inlcrcslin,
account ofthe death Of the "Impcriol
Emperor Of Japan, is taken from the let
ter OF correspondent of the Philadolphi,
Lc3gcri and furnishes another proof o
the singular character and customs ofthat
most remarkable land until American
enterprze broke down the barriers the,
had interposed between themselves and
the Outside barbarians, - least known OF
all the civilized people of the earth.
U. $. STEAMER Nagasqki.
Japan, Oct. |, 1868.
In No. 10 ! gave you an account of the
treaty lately made by US with Japan. Let
me now tell you of some tragic as well as
interesting events, which are said to have
already flowed from it. You must first
know that though, "out Of the world, "
while cruising along these unknown snoals
we have still an occa, ional European mail
10y some wandering snip and (while an O..
chored herel semi-weel<ly mail from
Eeddo. This latter comes overland by a
special messenger who sometimes rides
sometimes walks, ard again proceeds by
water A few days after our arrival, one
'of these POSTS" came in, and the next
day the Interpreters gave our Dutch
friends OF Desima the Heddo news; they
in turn passed it over to US 1t was said
that after the signing of our last treaty,
Goth of July ult. it was sent by the Tai
Koon or Imperial Emperor at Yeddo, to
to the Mikado, or Spiritual Emperor at
Misco for his approval The latter, how,
ever, who is said TO be n young man OF
eighteen, aware of his rights and mower.
and determined to enforce them, refused
his approval upon the ground that he
should have been consulted previous to
the signing of the treaty, and departing
boldly from the tinid policy of his more
immediate predecessors, initiated that of
the 'old regime" and notified his great
ruler" Tor Tai-Koon,) that in obedience 10
Tie tac8 Of Japan, the time had come for
lim to commit "Harikari." The Great
Ruler therefore stabbed himself in the
bowels, receiving at the same moment
severe blow on the back of his neck. from
a tr,end and relatipe, which dislocated the
vertebra, producing instant death. This
bold stand upon the part of their Mikado,
who has been treated by late Tai-Koons
more as pnppet than master, has star
tied the japanese, and caused them to
expect some great changes. What these F..
are to be- however, they do not say.
Bhe above Is the news by one post. An
other says that the Emperor was poisoned
and that three Of the great Princes com.
posing the Senate of twenty who actually
govern Japan, had been disgraced for the
part they had taken in the treaty; while
a third arrival varies the news by stating
that Iai-Koon has simply been deprived
oi his 9th e for short time, and that he
viii return to power aftr few years. The
three Princes, it was farther stated. had
been dismissed from office by Tai>Koon, I
previous to his own removal, in the hope
that the Millacho would consider that a suE- /
ficient reparation, and consent to stop
further proceedings. This latter was ac- .
cepted by us rs the most natural, and con-
more likely to be true than auv
other; but yesterday all doubt was rtno- .
we'd by the publication Of the following
government order:-
"The Tai X oon is dead All the peoule
will therefore, commence the national
ON the 4th of October. and con-
inue il through the following fifty DAYS.
As usual, none but necessary work will
)e allowed"
Thus. it is certain that the Emperor is
lead; though whether by "Hmikari" or
'oison, is not known. it is however, e.
Iuallv certain, that it has no; resulted
rom natural causes. and cur Dutch friend,
ay that "IIamkari" is the most probable.