U.S. Flag Ship Hartford (2 rate)
Hong King China
February 16, 1867

Hon. Gideon Welles
Secretary of the Navy
Washington D. C.

Sir:
　In my Despatch numbered 65 Series 1866 and dated December 27th 1866, I informed the Department, that I should send Commander Shufeldt in the Wachusett to Chifu, and Corea, to investigate the circumstances of the loss of the American Schooner General Sherman and the fate of the people on board of her.
　I have now to submit to the Department that General Shufeldt reached Chifu on the 14th January last, and having secured the services of the Chinese pilot who was in the General Sherman a few days before her loss, and also of the Rev’d Mr Corbett, an American Missionary to act as interpreter, left there on the 21st for the North West Coast of Corea in compliance with his instructions which were to demand of the Chief authorities of the Pin Tang River, “to deliver on the deck of the Wachusett, such of the unfortunate men of the Schooner General Sherman as may have been spared whether they were American, Portuguese, British, Malays or Chinamen, and to make such further investigation of the case, as was practicable.”
　Commander Shufeldt, has performed that service with commendable zeal, intelligence and celerity.
　His report marked, A herewith enclosed, confirming the rumors of the wreck of the Schooner General Sherman and of the burning of that vessel in Ping Tang River and of the murder of all on board of her, numbering twenty-seven persons by the “Coreans.”
　The enclosed paper marked B is copy of letter addressed by Commander Shufeldt to the King of Corea. C, is memorandum of interview with Corean official. D, is memorandum regarding the wreck of the General Sherman and of the Natural history of Corea.
　In conclusion, I beg to suggest that until the Government takes efficient action on the case, our countrymen lawfully navigating the seas adjacent to Corea, will be in peril of life and liberty of person from the barbarities of the people, and the authorities of that Country, who aim at the exclusion of strangers.
　No surveys of that part of the coast have been yet made and Commander Shufeldt employed the few days he was waiting to hear from the King in making a partial survey of the entrance to the “Ta Ting” River which lies in Lat. 38° 114 N Long 124° 50 W (the chart of which is marked E is herewith enclosed) and about fifty miles to the Southward of the Ping Tang River which the pilot did not consider it safe to approach in the winter months.
　As soon as winter breaks up, and I have a gunboat to spare, I shall have that part of the Corean coast examined pending the decision of the Department.

I have the honor to be, Sir
Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
H.H. Bell
Rear Admiral
Commanding US Asiatic Squadron