The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-08

THE JAPANESE TREATY-TRAGIC EVENTS WHICH
HAVE FLOWED FROM 1.-THE EMPEROR SLAIN OR
POISONED FOR SIGNING THE TREATY-PRINCEs Dis
GRACED FOR THE SAME ACT.
Correspondence OF the Philadelphia Ledger]
UNITED STATES STEAMER PowHATAN, / .
NAGAsAKI, JAPAN, Oct. l, 1855
On the Sth umo beng all ready for sea, got up
seam and on the 10th found ourselves again at anchor
this perfect little harbor IL being understood that Mr. Wm
b. Reed was 10 follow in the Minnesota possible
We found at anchor Dutch brig dischargng the cargo
of an Amsterdam merchant who had lately arrived set
tie upon the Desima and also met with bad in
regard TO the cholera This disease had it seems broken
out with great violence shortly after departure,
month previous carrying of as many as fifty Of the ia
panese daily, and originating feeling Of widespread
alarm throughout the whole southern part Of the island
of Knsn 1t not attributed TO natural causes by
the lower classes, but to the working OF devil who II
asserted had been thrown overheard from of the
English ships lately visiting the port, and who had then
shore TO destroy the people punishment for
the spirit of ree intercourse with foreigners which ia
pan had manifested by signing the late treaties 1t was
also asserted that ''the English had poisoned the
waters' and the existence of such a conviction among
the lower orders scarcely TO be wondered at whom
reflects upon the supersttous nature Of their religion O
and upon the some English sailors which evident
ly gave rise to the belief
gave you an account of the treaty lately made by us
with Japan Let now tell you of some tragic well
as interesting events which are said to have already
flowed from it, You must first know that though scout of
the world while cruising along these unknown shoals
have still occasional European mail by some wander
ing ship, and (whe anchored here) semi weekly
mail from Jeddo This latter overland by special
messenger, who sometimes rides, sometimes walks, and
again proceeds by water few days after our arrival
OF these "pOStS came the inter
prefers gave Dutch friends of Desma the Jeddo
they in turn passed over to us was said that after
the signing Of our last treaty Goth of July ul.),
at Miaco, for bis approval. The latter, however
OF bis rights and power and determned 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 md policy
bis immediate predecessors, initiated that OF the
sold regime" and notified his "Great Ruer,' Tor Tai
Koon that in obedience the laws OF Japan, the time
had come for him to commit ''HariKar." The Great
Ruler therefore, stabbed himself in the bowels receiving
at the same moment severe blow on the back OF bis
neck from friend and relative, which, dislocating the
verebra produced instant death This bold stand upon
the part of their Mkado who has been treated by lat,
TaiKoons more as puppet than master, has startlei
the Japanese, and caused them to expect great
changes What these be- however they do not say
The above is the by one post Another says that
the Emperor poisoned and that three OF the great
Princes composing the Senate Of Twenty, who actually
govern JAPAN had been dsgraced for the part they had
taken in the treaty while third arrival varies the
by stating that the TaKoon had simply been deprived OF
his office for time and that he will return 10 power after
had been dismissed from Office by the Ta-Koon
previous to his own removal, in the hope that
the Mikado would consider that Sufficient
reparaon and consent to stop farther proceedings This
latter accepted by the most natural and
quenty more likely to be than any other; but yes.
terday all doubt was removed by the publication of the
following government order.
'sThe Tai Koon is dead All the people wi therefore
commence the national mourning on the 4th Of October,
none but necessary work will be allowed"
Thus it is certain that the Emperor is dead; though
whether by IIakari poison, is not known. IL Is, how
ever equally certain that it has resulted from natural
causes and our Dutch friends say that Harkuri is The
most probable.
Ocr 4On the 2d instant the Flag officer was officially
notified Of the death Of the Emperor by the Governor of
Nagasaki We were informed, with all the gravity IN The
world that he had been for six with peurisy
and that he had finally succumbed the 14h September
subsequently said 10 the interpreter, 'You told
that required forty days to get news from Jeddo and
hon lie Hax cir hi. taath
know all about IT, do not know what TO believe when
talkob yos japanese"
'OhlD he replied soh when the En- oeror dies the post
comes very fast-n seven days sometimes"
wel, now, / want 10 know how he dled?" said
"IiowS He died of bad cold Ibave speak commo.
doren
Eyes, but you know that is the outside account What
"No, this not outside. Outside, nside--a same
now"
.Perhaps he has committed 'IIarikar In fact kno.
"oh, no." laughing, with evident amusement, 'that
not So That cannot be. Never Emperor Great Prince
make Harkari-only Governors and email Princess
Thus place the assertion OF the Interpreter against the
belief OF the Dutch--mysef nclinng toward the latter
The interpreter however, was "Yashcro, remarkably
honest and talented man.
The day after, being officially informed Of the
imperial death, the Flag officer sent his Flag Lieu
tenant 10 the Governor, to say him that he wished 10
honor his masters memory by firing 81 minute guns,
just us we should for President for the head of
a European Power, were anchored in one of their
ports The Governor expressed himself highly battered
by the attention. but replied that as II the custom in
Japan TO mourn in silence unless the Admrat was anx
ous to fire IT, he begged he would not 50 we saved our
powder
OCTOBER 6.-Yesterday another "posto arrived from
Jeddo processing TO bring the true account Of the mpe
rial death II is now said to have been owing TO anas-
The Minnesota, with Mr. Reed and SUITE leave TO
morrow at light for Shaughae; she will leave for home
before the end OF the year. and ordered 10 proceed to
Boston We are expecting the hourly arrival OF the Mis-
sisspp from flakodad, and shall leave in company for
Hong Kong via Sbanghac about the 25th The health OF
~ A. If.