U.S.S. Wachusett
At Sea
Jan. 30, 1867

Rear Admiral H.H. Bell
Comdg. U.S. Asiatic Squadron

Sir:
　I have the honor to report to you that this Ship anchored on the W. coast of Corea, Lat 38° 4′N., Long. 124° 50′ W. near the mouth of the “Ta-tong” river, on the 23rd inst.
　The Ping Yang river is the one up which the Schr. Genl. Sherman went and was destroyed. This river enters the sea 50 miles to the N of the above position, a fact which I could not positively ascertain until our arrival somewhere on the Corean coast, but as we found on survey the “Ta-tong” river to be frozen, and as our Chinese Pilot, a man of unusual intelligence, and for twenty years a trader on this coast, expressed decided reluctance to take the Ship to the mouth of the “Ping Yang” at this season of the year, I determined to attempt some sort of official intercourse from our anchorage, more particularly as the Heen city of “Chang Yuen” was said to be about midway between these two rivers. There are no Official cities on the seaboard of the W. coast. We found however quite a number of fishing villages, and after some unsuccessful efforts, the Chief of one of these on “Nien Fo” or Cow island, was induced to send a messenger with a communication to the King of Corea, accompanied by a letter to the Official of “Chang Yuen,” copies of which (English and Chinese) are herewith enclosed.
　In the meanwhile we endeavored to cultivate friendly feelings with the natives. They seemed to be kindly disposed, but in great dread of their Gov’t. and came as little into contact with us as possible.
　Apparently they are a rude and barbarous people, unarmed, and the seaboard entirely defenceless. We saw no iron in use, the boats are fastened with wooden pegs or lashed with coarse seaweed cordage. They spoke with great reserve when questioned in reference to the Genl. Sherman, but every one of them told the same story, which they said was known all over the country, viz: that the vessel was burned last Sept. up the “Ping-Yang” river, and all of her people, Amounting to 27 persons, were killed in a melée on shore by the natives, and not by order of the Mandarins.
　There remains no reasonable doubt of these facts, and no doubt whatever of the locality of the disaster.
　A messenger was sent on the morning of the 24th inst. And was to have returned within two days, but up the eve of the 29th he had not made his appearance. On the morning of the 29th however, an Officer, who said that he came from “Hae Chow Poo” the capital city of the Province, 50 miles up the “Ta-Tong” river, was brought on board in one of our own boats, for which they had signaled from the shore, and the interview with him carried on by writing in Chinese, resulted in the unsatisfactory manner, as by a memorandum herewith enclosed.
　I have no doubt the man lied systematically from the beginning to the end of our interview, and that he was either the Governor of “Hae Chow Poo” or some high officer in his confidence.
　My communication to the King had probably gone to him, as the Official superior to the Mandarin at “Chang Yuen.” In all probability too it went and perhaps will go no further. In all events it soon became evident that this Officer was utterly beyond the reach of reason or argument, and furthermore that I need not expect any more intercourse with or through the natives at that point. His presence seemed to inspire the greatest dread, and I fear very much that both our old Chief and the messenger his son, have by this time paid for their friendship towards us, by the loss of their heads.
　The manner of this officer was haughty and imperious, and he presented in his person the most perfect type of a vindictive savage.
　The latter part of our interview was carried on the island, and seeing how pointless it was growing, I determined to leave him abruptly, with the impression upon his mind that the result of the conference was not at all satisfactory and that it would not be the end of the investigation.
　I had earnestly hoped to have found some peaceable and satisfactory solution to the Sherman affair, and even to have discovered some of her crew still living, it is therefore with great person regret that I have to report a different result.
　If the disaster to that vessel is regarded as an act of the people of Corea, and without sufficient provocation, then it only remains to go up the “Ping Yang” river at the proper season and inflict proportionate punishment at the scene of the outrage, but if viewed as an act of the Corean Govt. which may and ought to influence our policy in the East, it occurs to me that we would punish that Govt. quite as much by assailing them in the South, at Chosan for instance, a point which might eventually be of use to us to retain, rather than by going up the W. coast where the French are already operating, and which if occupied could be of no national or commercial importance.

I am Sir
Very Respectfully
(Signed) R.W. Shufeldt
Commander
Comdg. U.S.S. Wachussett