“Whereas Kotsuke no Suke killed Sakai Iwami no Kami inside the castle of Yedo, and has fled to his own castle without leave, he is attainted of treason; and we, being connected with him by ties of blood and of friendship, have been charged to seize him.”

The herald delivered this message to the councillor of Kotsuke no Suke, who, pleading as an excuse that his lord was mad, begged the two nobles to intercede for him.  Goto Yamato no Kami upon this called the councillor to him, and spoke privately to him, after which the latter took his leave and returned to the castle of Sakura.

In the meanwhile, after consultation at Yedo, it was decided that, as Goto Yamato no Kami and Midzuno Setsu no Kami were related to Kotsuke no Suke, and might meet with difficulties for that very reason, two other nobles, Ogasawara Iki no Kami and Nagai Hida no Kami, should be sent to assist them, with orders that should any trouble arise they should send a report immediately to Yedo.  In consequence of this order, the two nobles, with five thousand men, were about to march for Sakura, on the 15th of the month, when a messenger arrived from that place bearing the following despatch for the Gorojiu, from the two nobles who had preceded them—­

“In obedience to the orders of His Highness the Shogun, we proceeded, on the 13th day of this month, to the castle of Sakura, and conducted a thorough investigation of the affair.  It is true that Kotsuke no Suke has been guilty of treason, but he is out of his mind; his retainers have called in physicians, and he is undergoing treatment by which his senses are being gradually restored, and his mind is being awakened from its sleep.  At the time when he slew Sakai Iwami no Kami he was not accountable for his actions, and will be sincerely penitent when he is aware of his crime.  We have taken him prisoner, and have the honour to await your instructions; in the meanwhile, we beg by these present to let you know what we have done.

“(Signed) GOTO YAMATO NO KAMI. 
MIDZUNO SETSU NO KAMI.
To the Gorojiu, 2d year of Keian, 2d month, 14th day.”

This despatch reached Yedo on the 16th of the month, and was read by the Gorojiu after they had left the castle; and in consequence of the report of Kotsuke no Suke’s madness, the second expedition was put a stop to, and the following instructions were sent to Goto Yamato no Kami and Midzuno Setsu no Kami—­

“With reference to the affair of Hotta Kotsuke no Suke, lord of the castle of Sakura, in Shimosa, whose quarrel with Sakai Iwami no Kami within the castle of Yedo ended in bloodshed.  For this heinous crime and disregard of the sanctity of the castle, it is ordered that Kotsuke no Suke be brought as a prisoner to Yedo, in a litter covered with nets, that his case may be judged.

“2d year of Keian, 2d month.
(Signed by the Gorojiu) INABA MINO NO KAMI. 
INOUYE KAWACHI NOKAMI. 
KATO ECCHIU NO KAMI.”