No. 225.

Mr. F. F. Low to Mr. Fish.

No. 15.]

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 9, with inclosures, instructing me to proceed, at such time as it may be convenient to the admiral commanding the Asiatic squadron, to Corea, for the purpose of negotiating a treaty for the protection of shipwrecked mariners, and, if practicable, to secure commercial advantages also. Since my arrival in China I have endeavored to obtain all the information possible about Corea, but I regret to say that my efforts have met with little success.

The Chinese government will, I doubt not, lend its good offices in aid of our efforts in that direction, but it is questionable whether they will prove of much practical utility.

Corea is substantially an independent nation. To be sure, it sends tribute to China annually, but from the best information I am able to obtain, the tribute is sent rather as a quid pro quo for the privilege of trading with the Chinese than as a governmental tribute. It is brought annually by land, and is accompanied by a large train of camels laden with Corean products, paper, ginseng, &c., for private trade and traffic. These trading expeditions are allowed to remain in Pekin three months in each year.

Beyond these arrangements, which have been in existence many years, there seems to be no connection between China and Corea. China claims or exercises no control in any way over Corea, nor do the Coreans regard the Chinese as having any right to interfere or exercise any control over their governmental polity.

The object aimed at, in connection with the proposed expedition, is well worth the effort, and I shall use all available means to make the [Page 363] negotiations a success; although candor compels me to say I am not sanguine. I shall be glad to avail myself of Mr. Seward’s experience and assistance in this matter; hence no preparations will be made for the expedition until next year, when he will be able to accompany me.

In the mean time the Department will be kept fully acquainted with all the information I am able to obtain.

FREDERICK F. LOW.