our land and people, or will you wish to consult upon and carry out friendly relations? If you are going to want us to give away land and people, then let me ask how can 3,000 [1,000 miles] of river, hill, city, and country be lightly thrown away? If you will desire us to agree to negotiate and carry out friendly relations, then let me ask how can 4,000 years' ceremonies, music, literature, and all things, be, without sufficient reason, broken up and cast away? It does not consist with right, it cannot be spoken of. You do not hold the course of justice, [lit., as the bear keeps to his native hill, and the fish keeps his native water,] but, on the contrary, dare to consult mere expediency, [lit., act as the heron with the shell-fish.] Having experienced every difficulty and danger in tossing over billowy seas [to our country,] how long, let me ask, can you annoy [lit., ravage] district and prefecture? It would be better early to mark out a right course of action and each remain peacefally in his own place. We inform you, that you may ponder and be enlightened. From the general guardian of Foo-Ping prefecture. [No name signed.] . No. 2. Reply to a communication found on Guerriere Island, on Saturday morning, June 3. A reply from Edward B. Drew, acting secretary of legation of the United States. A communication was found on shore two days since, purporting to come from the guardian general of Foo-Ping prefecture, which has been read, and the contents thereof made known to the minister and admiral. They have instructed me to make reply, that our intentions in coming to your country were peaceful, as was announced to your sovereign by letter from Peking in advance. He was told that the minister had important business with the government, and hoped that a person of high rank would be sent to meet him when the vessels reached the coast of your country, to whom the full particulars could be made knowu, and with whom all matters could be arranged and settled. This course is still open if the King chooses to avail himself of it. We do not want your land or men, nor anything that will affect your ceremonies, music, or literature. Your people have met our peaceful overtures by an unprovoked and wanton attack. The admiral hopes that it will prove that all this was done by the common people, without the sanction of the government; and has concluded to allow sufficient time to pass to enable the King to learn of it, and send an apology for this outrage if it was unauthorized, before taking any further steps. It now lies with your government to say whether it will disavow this outrage, and send a high officer to meet and consult with the minister, and endeavor to settle the business in an amicable manner, or whether, by failing to do so, leave the minister and admiral to pursue such a course as they may deem proper to obtain redress for the wrongs done to us. It is a question which His Majesty should seriously consider before taking up a warlike attitude. Five or six days longer will be allowed the government to consult and determine what it will do. When Captain Febiger was here, he was told that the King could not treat with him because he did not come by order of the President. Now the high minister of the United States to China is sent by special orders of his sovereign, with the most peaceful intentions and friendly assurances, and without warning you fire upon the vessels and try to destroy them. How is this? The vessels now here are part of a large fleet that is constantly kept by the Government on the coasts of China and Japan. When they need repairs, others are sent to take their places. They are constantly within two or three days' sail of your country, and if they choose, can destroy your towns and annoy your districts and departments for an unlimited number of years. But this is not our wish. We desire peace and friendly feelings to exist between our country and all others. China and the United States are friends, and the high ministers of each country are received in the other and treated with respect. If anything occurs which may lead to trouble, it is discussed and settled in a friendly manner, without resorting to hostilities. If the government sends any notifications of its intentions, the communication should be sent to the ship. No boats or messengers will be molested that bring letters or persous who desire to discuss matters with us. A necessary communication. JUNE 5, 1871. To the GUARDIAN GENERAL OF FOO-PING PREFECTURE. 132 No. 3. Li. Guardian General of Fu-Ping Fu to Mr. Drew, June 7th. A communication in reply. On receipt of your dispatch in answer to my former one, I read its contents carefully. I have control of local matters only, and dare not take on myself to discuss any matters belonging to the central government; I have accordingly transmitted your reply to my superior officer, the minister, who is general and governor of Kang-Hoa prefecture; and have to-day heard that a dispatch from him has just been sent on board your honorable vessel. I trust that all future correspondence will be carried on with the official above named, as I cannot presume to interfere in it further. A necessary communication in reply to Mr. Drew, acting secretary of legation. No. 4. Translation of dispatch brought on board Colorado from Kang-Hoa high official. Cheng, guardian of the prefecture of Kang-Hoa, Corea, ex officio general and governor, sends a communication to his excellency the American minister. In the spring of this year the board of rites, Peking, forwarded a dispatch conveying a letter from the honorable American envoy; to this my government speedily sent a reply, fully discussing the matters referred to, which it was requested might be transmitted through the same channel [board of rites] to your excellency. We feel that-inasmuch as politeness and deference are held in such general estimation in your honorable country that she has long possessed a fame far beyond all other states-your excellency must most probably so clearly comprehend the propriety of things as to take no light or hasty action. Why now do you cross from afar the vast ocean to penetrate another country? Even though you disclaim all purpose of killing or harming us, who can help being puzzled and suspicious? The barriers of defense of a country are important places, within which it is not allowable for foreign vessels to make their way [without some previous understanding.] This is the fixed rule of all nations. Hence it was the ascent [of the river] to the sea-gate by your vessels the other day that brought on the engagement between us. [literally, the affair of mutual firing and alarming,] which, as you say that your intentions in coming [to this country] are good, it is much to be regretted should have occurred. On the arrival of your vessels, the court warned the civil and military authorities along the 'coast to avoid most carefully anything which should cause trouble or arouse ill-feeling, yet when your honorable vessels, not considering the fixed regulation of another country, penetrated its important pass, how could the officers, appointed to guard [the closed portals of] the frontier, whose duty it is to take measures of Pray do not then be offended at defense, calmly let it go by as of no consequence? what occurred. It is not perhaps because the board of rites at Peking had not yet transmitted our reply, [to your letter to the King of Corea,] thus leaving your excellency unacquainted with the various circumstances of my country, that [your coming to Corea] has taken place. Therefore, I now have the honor to inclose duplicate of this reply, from the perusal of which you may perhaps derive full and complete information. The non-intercourse of Corea with foreign states is a settled principle, established by our ancestors five centuries ago; a principle of which the whole world has heard, and of which It is precisely because we must not the Emperor of China also is graciously aware. break through the ancient policy [of our ancestors] that we cannot discuss and cannot settle that which the honorable envoy desires to discuss and to settle, whatever it may be. Why do you then wait for a high official to meet you? The myriad lands and the countless living sustained on the earth, and canopied by the sky, should all act in consonance with the nature originally bestowed upon them, and it is the will of Heaven and earth that the states of the East, and the nations of the West, regulating each in its own way its administration and its doctrines, and governing each its own people, should move on prosperously and concordantly without encroaching upon and taking away what is another's. Surely your excellency is acquainted with this truth. Appreciating the hardships of a voyage of 10,000 li of wind and wave, I send some worthless articles as a trifling assistance to your table, as becomes the host. I trust you will not refuse to receive them, though insignificant. I am aware of the deficiencies of this dispatch. A necessary communication. TUNG-CHIH, 10th year, 4th moon, and 19th day, (June 6, 1871.) [NOTE.-With the foregoing were brought three bullocks, fifty chickens, and one thousand eggs, which were declined.] No. 5. Translation of duplicate of the King of Corea's dispatch to the board of rites, Peking, in reference to his excellency Mr. Low's letter, of 7th March, sent to the King through the board. A communication in reply. On the 10th April I received the honorable board's dispatch forwarding copy of the record of its bureau of foreign relations to this effect: This board on the 22d March memorialized the Emperor in reference to the transmission of a letter to Corea, and on the same day the great council returned a minute stating that it had reverently received the imperial will. We have taken due note. This minute being received by the board, its duty is to send copies of its original memorial, the imperial edict, the Tsury-li Yamen's original memorial, and the American letter to the King of Corea for his cognizance in the premises," and accordingly inclosing copies of the Tsury-li Yamen's memorial, the board's memorial, and the American envoy's letter. Besides acknowledging receipt of the board's dispatch, with its several inclosures, I would humbly observe that the service of forwarding the letter is indeed out of the usual course. I ascribe it to the board's anxiety that no mistake should be made in a. matter of such delicate concern. The board has performed this special act in respectful intimation of the Emperor's fostering favor toward me; and for such perfect attentiveness I am inexpressibly grateful. The letter forwarded by the admiral's envoy has reference primarily to two merchant vessels which came to this country in 1866, one of which was wrecked and her crew saved, while the crew of the other was killed, and the cargo destroyed; the American Government not knowing why such very different treatment as this was exhibited, wishes to inquire into the circumstances. Furthermore, it desires that some arrangement be devised for the relief of any American merchant vessel which may in future meet with disaster on this coast, and that friendly treatment should be accorded, &c. Our humble country has the sea on three sides, and whenever stranger vessels of a foreign nation come to our shores in distress, they are either assisted with food and whatever they require, and enabled to sail away again; or, if the vessel is disabled or lost, her crew are escorted through by land to the supreme capital, [Peking,] thence to be sent to their homes; in each case the wishes of those concerned are regarded, and no obstacle is raised. In this we do not fail reverently to give effect to the exceeding benevolence and plenteous virtue of our holy dynasty, [the present dynasty of China.] which desires all things without exception, under heaven and upon the earth, to follow out their original nature, and the outpost state [Corea] has held this custom as to vessels in distress as its firm rule and established policy for a long period. Moreover, there have been from first to last three occasions of American subjects particularly having been rescued in distress, and sent forward under protection, viz, in the 5th year of Heen Feng, the 4th of Tung-Chih, and the 5th of Tung-Chih, [1855, 1865, and 1866.] The dispatches are all in the archives of the honorable board, and as the affairs were comparatively recent, the country in question,can hardly fail to have a knowledge of them. When men have come from afar through the dangers of the sea, they are objects of sympathy; how then could any one think it right to maltreat and destroy them? The statement about a vessel being destroyed, and her crew killed in Corea, has reference, no doubt, to the event of the autumu of 1866, in the Ping-Yang River, [General Sherman.] The details of that affair were all set forth in the dispatch to the board of the 22d day, 8th moon, 5th year Tung-Chih, [September 30, 1866,] and need not now be reiterated. Again, on the 25th day 3d moon, 7th year of Tung-Chih, I wrote in reply to a dispatch from the board of rites still more explicitly, and inclosed copy of the answer of Poo Cheng-hwuy, intendant of Hwang-Hai province, to the American commander, [of the Wachusett,] which answer had been prepared and held in readiness for delivery; on this occasion the board was further prayed that the American envoy might be so admonished [by the Emperor of China] as to resolve his doubts and suspieions and prevent further confusion.* Again, in the 3d moon of the 7th year of Tung-Chih, the American Commander Febiger came, saying that he wished to inquire into this affair, and presented dispatches to the different local magistrates of Ping-An and Hwang-Hai. These magistrates answered very clearly, giving the circumstances of a strange vessel having Vide inclosure 1, Captain Febiger's report to Admiral Rowan, of date Chefoo, China, May 19, 1868. ushed her way in the autumn of 1866, of wounds and injuries inflicted on the inhabiants, of the detention with indignity of an officer, and of the consequent exasperaion of the people, resulting in self-provoked disaster and destruction; they made a complete explanation to dispel all doubts, and Captain Febiger, on receiving the reply, rent away. I ventured to think that thenceforth the people of that country, knowing fully the affair, and understanding the right and wrong of it, there would be no occasion for coming with doubts and suspicions to make inquiry. Why now does the American minister, in his letter, again express ignorance as to the rescue of one of the crews, and the destruction of the other? more He says that the Government of the United States has so much regard for its sa ilors and countrymen that it will never permit other countries, as they please, to misuse or destroy them; this, surely, is a point in which all nations are alike. America will not allow its people to be maltreated; nor will this country allow its people to be altreated. In this respect, if we exchange places and reflect, there is surely no difference. Such being the case, the reason for the self-provoked destruction of the vessel in the Ping-Yang River is perfectly intelligible without stopping to discuss it. We appeal to the natural public sentiment of justice among men, and to the controlling presence of God and the spirits. If the American vessel had not abused our people how could the Corean officials and people have wished to maltreat them first? The letter under consideration expresses the hope that friendly treatment will be accorded. If the strange states of the extreme sea desire a relationship of good will with us, then, in reverent imitation of the virtue of the great dynasty which treats kindly men from afar, we shall prove not to be ignorant of the usages of hospitality. But as to the expression, "consult and arrange about intercourse," I do not know what it is wanted to "consult and arrange," and what the intercourse desired is to be about. "A minister of the Emperor must not have relations with a foreign state." For kindly commiserating and sending home the crews of foreign ships which have met with disaster, not only has our country a constant rule of its own, but it also imitates, in this regard, the profound benevolence of the heavenly dynasty [of China;] then, without waiting to "consult and arrange," the minister may feel secure from all apprehension. But supposing he does not cherish good will, but comes to commit wanton violence, then in keeping them off or destroying them we shall also be discharging our natural duty of shielding the heavenly dynasty. It is quite enough for the American Government to hold in control its own people, and keep them from improper interference with others; why go so far as to discuss whether there shall be intercourse with foreign states or not? Heretofore foreign nations have been in ignorance of the character and productions of this country, and we have been repeatedly pestered with applications for commercial intercouse; but that is entirely out of the question with this country, and that merchants would not find it profitable was set forth in a communication to the board in the fifth year of Tung-Chih, somewhat as follows: It is universally known that our humble state is a small dependency in a corner of the seas; that the people are poor and the articles of commerce scanty; that the precious metals and precious stones are not found here, while grains and cloth fabrics are not abundant; that the productions of the country are insufficient to meet domestic wants; and if they were permitted to flow out abroad, thus impoverishing us at home, this insignificant land would certainly be in extreme danger, and difficult to protect from ruin; furthermore, that the habits of the people are sparing and plain, the workmanship rude and poor; and that we have not a single article worthy of commerce with foreign nations. The constant wish for commercial intercourse, while the utter impossibility of this country's entering into relations of trade, and the unprofitableness of it also to foreign merchants, are such as are above described, is no doubt to be ascribed to the want of full knowledge on the part of the people of remote countries on the subject. Now, although this letter of the American envoy has not spoken out fully, yet as it asks for an official to consult and arrange [business] affecting both countries, it most likely alludes to this sort of thing, [viz, commercial intercourse.] As the rescue and forwarding home of shipwrecked crews is provided for by existing laws, it is unneces sary to take further trouble to make a fixed arrangement. Besides this subject, there is nothing else to consult and settle, and it is not necessary to come and go to and fro to no purpose. I humbly hope that the honorable board will lay before the throne all the facts connected with this matter, and that the Emperor will send forth a special edict to exhort and instruct the envoy of the nation in question so as to overcome the doubts and dispel his anxiety, and thus each of us be left to himself without trouble. I shall then be inexpressibly happy. In my insignificance, relying on the Emperor's love and affection, I have emptied my whole heart in extreme fear and reverence. The contents of the letter of the American envoy do not indicate that a reply is expected; nor should I. The ruler of a colonial state dare not commit such a breach as to trouble the honorable board to forward a reply. I solicit your intelligent glance and your indulgence. No. 6. Edward B. Drew to guardian of Kang-Hoa and ex officio general and governor, June 7, 1871. The undersigned has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter addressed to his excellency the minister, inclosing a copy of one from the government to the board of rites, Peking. The contents thereof have been made known to the minister and admiral; and I am instructed to reply that they regret to see a disposition on the part of the government to decline ail friendly discussion of the business which his excellency is sent to transact; and instead of apologizing for the unprovoked attack upon our vessels, the course of the military authorities is justified. The admiral hoped it would prove that the attack was unauthorized, and that when the news of it came to the King he would disavow it, and send a high official to consult with the minister. The admiral concluded to allow sufficient time to elapse for this to be done before taking any further steps. Three or four days of the time allowed still remain, and if, at the expiration, no disposition is manifested on the part of His Majesty looking to peaceful consultation and arrangement, the admiral and minister will then feel at liberty to pursue such a course as they may deem proper. In consequence of the shortness of the time now remaining for you to come to a decision, I deem it better to send this short reply rather than wait to make a full answer to your note. The minister and admiral direct me to say that while they highly appreciate the kindly disposition manifested in sending the presents, they cannot, under existing circumstances, be accepted, and are therefore respectfully declined. No. 7. Admiral Rodgers to Commander H. P. Blake. U. S. S. COLORADO, ISLE BOISÉE ANCHORAGE, Corea, June 9, 1871. SIR: The attack to be made upon the Corean forts on the Salée River, which recently treacherously fired on our surveying party, is committed to you. The attacking force will consist of the "Monocacy," "Palos," the four armed steamlaunches, and the armed launches and boats of the fleet; the latter conveying the landing force detailed from the ships, under the immediate command of Commander L. A. Kimberly. The vessels are to approach the point selected for anchorage, shelling the forts and drawing out the soldiers occupying them, before the boats are permitted to leave the ships to make the landing. When the enemy shall have been driven out of their works, the force under Commander Kimberly will effect a landing, the armed launches supporting and covering the debarkation. The most serious difficulties which I apprehend lie in the natural obstacles of rocks, shoal water, and furious currents; and if it should be found impossible to hold the vessels in the position necessary to secure the boats and to cover the ⚫ force on shore, you will embark the landing party at your discretion. The object sought in this expedition being simply to take and destroy the forts which have fired on our vessels, and to hold them long enough to demonstrate our ability to punish such offenses at pleasure, it is my present purpose to withdraw the whole force after a period of about twenty-two hours has elapsed, or at the last of the flood-tide of the day following the capture. Should you decide that the position gained may be held indefinitely long, or that there is a prospect of any material advantage in doing so, you will then, by steam launch, communicate with me. The only object sought by the expedition to this country is to make such a treaty as the minister has been instructed by the Government to secure, if he may; and you will therefore take advantage of any overtures which may be made toward peace, if they shall seem to you to offer a reasonable opportunity of attaining the ends which the Government has in view, or to afford a cover for the withdrawal of your force should that be desirable; referring, of course, the matter of terms to be granted to the minister and myself. All that I have here written has been amply discussed; but should incidents arise giving an unexpected complexion to the aspect of affairs, you must use your dis cretion. Anything you shall decide upon will, I am sure, meet deserved approval. I am, &c., JOHN RODGERS. |
