However, Hotta could not get permission primarily because the Emperor Komei strongly objected to the ideas of allowing foreigners to come into Japan and concluding a commercial treaty, though he did give permission for supplying fuel and water in mercy, and also because many aristocrats including Tomomi IWAKURA criticized Kujo for his attitude towards the shogunate (see the incident that 88 high-ranking aristocrats went on a sit-in protest).
しかし、孝明天皇は撫恤のための薪水給与は認めていたが、通商条約や異国人の入国には強く反対しており、また岩倉具視ら多くの公家が関白の幕府寄りの姿勢を批判したため（廷臣八十八卿列参事件参照）、堀田の工作にもかかわらず勅許は得られなかった。