Eulenburg Expedition

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The Eulenburg Expedition was a diplomatic mission conducted by Friedrich Albrecht zu Eulenburg on behalf of Prussia and other German states. Its aim was the establishment of diplomatic and trade relations with China, Japan and Siam

 An Account of the expedition published by Werner Von Reinhold

Friedrich Albrecht Count of Eulenburg was appointed Extraordinary Envoy to the Prussian Mission to Eastern Asia by King Wilhelm I, who was acting as Regent for his seriously ill brother Friedrich Wilhelm IV, accompanied by Max August Scipio von Brandt as Attaché.

Ferdinand von Richthofen remarked that of the 64 Naval officers who took part in the expedition, 23 went on to have substantial rank in later years. Three of the ships were the Arcona, the Thetis and the Frauenlob


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[edit] Japan

Krupp sent a rolling machine as a gift to Japan.

[edit] Xenophobic Attack in Edo

On January 15, 1861 Henry C.J. Heusken, a Dutch interpreter for the US diplomat, Townsend Harris' was working for Count Eulenburg in treaty negotiations. After dinner with Count Eulenberg, Heusken returned to the American Legation at Zenpukuji Temple along Sendai-zaka Street. He was accompanied by three mounted officers and four footmen bearing lanterns. The party was suddenly ambushed by seven shishi from the Satsuma clan led by Imuta Shohei. Heusken suffered mortal wounds to both sides of his body in the fight. He mounted a horse and galloped about 200 yards to the American Legation, where he was taken inside and treated. Later that night Heusken died of his wounds.

[edit] Siam

When the expedition reached Siam, the delegation, which he had expected by King Mongkut for a year. He "expressed his delight and inquired about the number and size of the warships, immediately thereafter he asked if the Prussians maintained colonies or had the intention to acquire them." The question answered in the negative "consoled him: he was all the more delighted to gain new unselfish friends as the old ones just became difficult" (Fritz Count of Eulenburg). After a long stay, on February 17, 1862 Fritz Count of Eulenburg signed a Treaty in the name of Prussia, the States of the Customs Union and Mecklenburg.

[edit] Participants

Friedrich Albrecht zu Eulenburg