Satsuma and Chōshū officials were challenging the bakufu and threatening to kill foreigners in the treaty ports. Morrison requested British ships for protection and the situation seemed to be escalating towards war, though open conflict was, for the meantime, avoided.
The Satsuma and Chōshū officials were defying the bakufu and threatening violence against foreigners in the treaty ports.  Morrison sought British warships for security, and tensions seemed to be rising toward a full-blown conflict, but they chose not to engage directly.