soon to go to Kioto and obtain the Mikado's sanction of the treaties. Finally the diplomats, wearied with the delay, decided to go to Osaka in a body and bring about the much desired result. They were escorted by a squadron of nine men-of-war of different nationalities, and in a short time after their arrival the Mikado's order was published (November 24, 1865), and sent to all the daimios, giving "imperial consent to the treaties."
The value of such action was that thereafter opposition to the treaties and to foreigners would be a violation of the emperor's edict. Up to that time opposition to them had been evidence of loyalty to the Mikado. The result was a marked improvement in the attitude of the people towards the foreign residents, although attacks upon them by lawless persons did not entirely cease. The American legation was again etablished at Yedo, where it has since continued undisturbed. Mr. Pruyn, who had served his country as minister through four years of very trying experience, with much usefulness to the government and credit to himself, resigned, and was succeeded in 1866 by R. B. Van Valkenburgh.
During this year another evidence of the liberal tendency of the Mikado's government was the repeal of the decree, which had been in force for more than two hundred years, prohibiting the Japanese from leaving their country. In transmitting notice of this repeal to his government, the American minister says, "Another barrier of Japanese isolation has thus been removed."
It does not fall within the scope of this volume to trace the internal contest which resulted in the transformation of the system of government of Japan. It
