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other nobles, Ogasawara Iki no Kami and Nagai Hida no Kami, should<br />
be sent to assist them, with orders that should any trouble arise they<br />
should send a report immediately to Yedo. In consequence <strong>of</strong> this order,<br />
the two nobles, with five thousand men, were about to march for Sakura,<br />
on the 15th <strong>of</strong> the month, when a messenger arrived from that place<br />
bearing the following despatch for the Gorôjiu, from the two nobles who<br />
had preceded them—<br />
"In obedience to the orders <strong>of</strong> His Highness the Shogun, we proceeded,<br />
on the 13th day <strong>of</strong> this month, to the castle <strong>of</strong> Sakura, and conducted<br />
a thorough investigation <strong>of</strong> the affair. <strong>It</strong> is true that Kôtsuké no<br />
Suké has been guilty <strong>of</strong> treason, but he is out <strong>of</strong> his mind; his retainers<br />
have called in physicians, and he is undergoing treatment by which his<br />
senses are being gradually restored, and his mind is being awakened<br />
from its sleep. At the time when he slew Sakai Iwami no Kami he was<br />
not accountable for his actions, and will be sincerely penitent when he is<br />
aware <strong>of</strong> his crime. We have taken him prisoner, and have the honour to<br />
await your instructions; in the meanwhile, we beg by these present to let<br />
you know what we have done.<br />
"(Signed) GOTÔ YAMATO NO KAMI.<br />
MIDZUNO SETSU NO KAMI.<br />
To the Gorôjiu, 2d year <strong>of</strong> Keian, 2d month, 14th day."<br />
This despatch reached Yedo on the 16th <strong>of</strong> the month, and was read by<br />
the Gorôjiu after they had left the castle; and in consequence <strong>of</strong> the report<br />
<strong>of</strong> Kôtsuké no Suké's madness, the second expedition was put a stop<br />
to, and the following instructions were sent to Gotô Yamato no Kami<br />
and Midzuno Setsu no Kami—<br />
"With reference to the affair <strong>of</strong> Hotta Kôtsuké no Suké, lord <strong>of</strong> the<br />
castle <strong>of</strong> Sakura, in Shimôsa, whose quarrel with Sakai Iwami no Kami<br />
within the castle <strong>of</strong> Yedo ended in bloodshed. For this heinous crime and<br />
disregard <strong>of</strong> the sanctity <strong>of</strong> the castle, it is ordered that Kôtsuké no Suké<br />
be brought as a prisoner to Yedo, in a litter covered with nets, that his<br />
case may be judged.<br />
"2d year <strong>of</strong> Keian, 2d month.<br />
(Signed by the Gorôjiu) INABA MINO NO KAMI.<br />
INOUYE KAWACHI NO KAMI.<br />
KATÔ ECCHIU NO KAMI."<br />
Upon the receipt <strong>of</strong> this despatch, Hotta Kôtsuké nô Suké was immediately<br />
placed in a litter covered with a net <strong>of</strong> green silk, and conveyed to<br />
Yedo, strictly guarded by the retainers <strong>of</strong> the two nobles; and, having arrived<br />
at the capital, was handed over to the charge <strong>of</strong> Akimoto Tajima no<br />
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