In 1862, Takasugi argued, 'The Satsuma clan has already seen results in expelling foreigners by killing them in Namamugi, and yet our clan is still advocating for reconciliation between the imperial court and the shogunate. We must find some way to get results in expelling foreigners. If the clan government cannot take a decisive action to do it...'
文久2年（1862年）、高杉は「薩藩はすでに生麦に於いて夷人を斬殺して攘夷の実を挙げたのに、我が藩はなお、公武合体を説いている。何とか攘夷の実を挙げねばならぬ。藩政府でこれを断行できぬならば......」と論じていた。