From
De Long
Envoy Extraordinary

Contents

　Advising of an application made to me by the Japanese Minister for American protection to Japanese officials in Corea in the event of a sudden outbreak of hostilities there between that people and our squadron.
　Enclosing copy of letter on the subject addressed by me to Hon F. F. Low.

Yokohama, Japan, May 10, 1871

Sir:
　I have the honor to report to you that whilst at Yedo a few days since I was waited upon by Prince Data Minster of Finance and Sawa Nobuyoshi Chief Minister for Foreign Affairs, who inquired very particularly of me about the object of the United States Government in dispatching a fleet to Corea, and was particularly solicitous as to whether hostilities were likely to ensue.
　Being myself wholly uninformed as to the purpose of the expedition and seen in ignorance of the exact point to which it would first proceed, I was unable to furnish their Excellences with any information.
　They then mentioned to me that in the past Corea had acknowledged Japanese sovereignty by the payment of yearly [__tracts] which however that Government had ceased for some years past to pay; that the Japanese authorities had been too completely occupied in the administration of the internal affairs of their own Empire to do more than to send some Commissioners to Corea empowered to adjust the relations of the two countries.
　That those Commissioners there in number were there in Corea at a place called Foosong and that they (the Ministers) felt very great concern for their safety.
　They asked me if I would kindly use my good offices with Minister Low and Admiral Rodgers to secure their protection for these men if it should become necessary and they should be applied to by those officers.
　Regarding it as an opportunity to be improved to convince this Government of the friendliness of the United States I agreed to do so.
　Their Excellencies then advised me that they should dispatch a messenger by the American Mail Steamer (to sail the following day for Nagasaki) to leave them by private conveyance for Foo Song to apprise the Commissioners of the impending trouble and the steps taken for their security; and [formally] requested me to send to the Minister and Admiral by the same opportunity.
　I did as requested sending by their messenger a sealed dispatch to Mr. Low (Enclosure No. 1) and a similar dispatch to Admiral Rodgers.
　I also gave the messenger private letters of introduction to both Mr. Low and Mr. Rodgers to take with him to Corea to be used in case of necessity for the purpose of identification and to secure protection for himself and the Commissioners.
　The messenger left here with those letters on the 6th inst―direct for Nagasaki.
　For this courtesy their Excellencies Prince Data and Mr. Sawa warmly thanked me and begged me to assure you of their deep sense of obligation that they felt to my Government for this act of disinterested kindness.

Trusting to an approval of my action
I have the honor to remain
Sir
Your obedient servant
De Long