The Sun. — 1861-09-28 (London, England)

LECTURES B  GE DAWSON.  Fortunately a body of soldiers arrived in time to drive the would-be assassins away, but not before Mr. Oliphant, Secretary of the Legation, had received some severe wounds, and Mr. Consul G. S. Morrison was cut in the head. By whom the gang was raised for effecting these murderous deeds had yet to be discovered. No doubt but they will be traced, and on the discovery we may feel sure that the ramifications of the anti-foreign party at Court will be laid bare, and great good result. Indeed, it wanted something of this kind to enable Mr. Alcoek to carry the matter home, and bring a permanent and beneficial change in our relations with the Japanese empire. The story of the assault is briefly as follows : A band of about twenty spent the day at a teahouse in the vicinity of the British Minister's quarters, and between nine and ten o'clock, when " all hands" were in the arms of Morpheus, they drove in the door of the grounds and entered the house. Two of them, one in armour, then approached the quarters of Mr. Consul G. S. Morrison, but being seen by his servant he was warned in time to get a sword and pistol before the assassins came up. Mr. Oliphant having heard the noise, rushed out of his room with a hunting-whip only, and was immediately assailed by one of the two spoken of, who gave him a severe gash on the right shoulder. Hearing Mr. Oliphant cry out, Mr, Morrison drew aside the screen of his room, and found himself face to face with the miscreants, one of whom he shot dead; the other he fired at, but the ball glanced off the armour ; the Japanese, in return, cutting Morrison across the head, and again wounding Mr. Oliphant in the wrist, At this juncture Mr. Wirgmaia and Mr. Reginald Russell approached, and, though they were unarmed, their appearance had the effect, it would seem, of inducing the band to retreat, bearing with them the body of the Japanese shot by Mr. Morrison, which, however, they only took into the garden, where they were met by Japanese soldiers and driven away, five being killed in the affray, and seven of the Japanese soldiers wounded.  The day after the affair Mr. Alcock addressed the following circular letter to the other resident Ministers :  "Her Majesty's Legation, Yedo, July 6. " Sir,—Last night, between 11 and 12 o'clock, ,he British Legation was suddenly attacked, and an entrance effected at several points simultaneously, by armed bands of Japanese, said by some to be Loonins, and by others the Prince of Mito's men. Two of the members of the establishment, Mr. Oliphant and Mr. Morrison, were met in a passage and both wounded, the first I am sorry to say very severely, when a momentary diversion was effected by a shot from Mr. Morrison's revolver, which appears to have taken effect. A few minutes later the same or another division of the assassins sought to 'effect an entrance to the apartments occupied by myself, by breaking through and hacking in pieces some glass doors opening on to another suite, having mistaken their way. To this alone, under Providence, we probably owe our lives, for several minutes was thus lost to them, at the end of which some of the Yaconins or Damio's guard appear to have come to the spot, and the assailants were finally driven out of the house, after having penetrated into nearly every room except my own, leaving traces of their presence by slashing at all the beds and furniture. Marks of blood were found in various directions, and a prolonged conflict took place outside in the avenue and approaches to the Legation with the officers and men on service. Such a deed of atrocity, perpetrated in the capital of a Government to which foreign representatives are accredited by the Western Po wera needs no comment. I only feel it a duty to communicate to my colleagues the facts for their guidance and information, and to acquaint them that, as a temporary measure, I have ordered up her Majesty's ship Ringdove, and caused a guard of men to be knded. What measures it may be expedient to adopt for the further security of this and the other Legations in Yedo, and the maintenance of those international rights and' immunities so grievously attached, becomes a serious consideration, and one the pressing importance of which cannot well be overlooked ; but on this part of the subject I shall be glad to enter into further communication with you and the rest of my colleagues, should you feel disposed to favour me with your views —I have, &c., "