Sir.

Referring to my despatch to the Department No. 13. dated April 26th, I have now the honor to submit the following in continuation of and pertinent to the subject of Corea.
On the morning of May 4th the Ticonderoga anchored in the harbor of Fusan, (Chosan) Corea, I immediately communicated with Mr.Kondo, Japanese Consul at that port, and delivered to him the letter (copy enclosed in No. 13) addressed him by his Government.
I also handed him my communication to the King of Corea with the request that this might be forwarded to Seoul, the Capital of Corea.
It may be well to state here that the Japanese here had for many years a settlement at Fusan of an extraterritorial character and under the jurisdiction of Consul. Fusan however is a large and commodious bay and has several Corean towns upon its shores.
After the expiration of about 24 hours, Mr.Kondo informed me of the failure of his mission to the Corean Governor of the District at Torai-Fu, who refused to forward my communication from him on the ground that under the treaty between Japan and Corea, the Consul could not address any communication to the Central Government,―his authority being limited to correspondence with the District Governor,―and on the further ground that he, the Governor could (would) not hold intercourse with any foreigners except Japanese.
What transpired while the ships remained at Fusan is substantially told in the accompanying ship translated from a Japanese Newspaper, and evidently composed by same person cognizant of all the facts.
It is enclosed herewith as a part of this despatch. (marked C)
Governed by the peaceful tenor of my orders, and feeling that a collision at this time with the Coreans would render further negotiations impossible, and knowing also that the good offices of Japan … in giving a simple letters to its Consul at Fusan, had not been exhausted or indeed tendered to the extent due to our Government.… I determined to leave for Yokohama with a view to further consultation with our Minister at Tokio.
The Ticonderoga arrived at Yokohama on the 11th inst. after various interviews with our Minister, Mr. Bingham, an H.I.J. Majesty’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Sunday Correspondence- the desirable result has been obtained of securing a communication from H.I. Japanese Minister to the Government of Corea at the Capital- which covers my letter to the King of Corea. Out of deference to the opinion of the Japanese Government, and with the concurrence of Judge Bingham-and to avoid for the present all pretext of hostility, I have consented to wait for a reply at Nagasaki for a period of sixty years{days}, instead of proceeding again to Fusan or any other port in Corea.
I shall accordingly sail on the 31st inst., via Kobe for Nagasaki and there await the time specified, unless something should be developed in the mean while to suggest another course.
In this connection I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of Department communication of April 26 ultimo and have noted its contents.
The opening of Corea, although at present a matters of litter commercial importance. But it is the only country in the world from which, at the present time, foreigners are excluded.
I am satisfied that European Powers…more particularly Russia, are pretending to effect treaties with it, either by persuasion or by force; any complication especially between Russia and China, would almost compel the former to take possession of some of the Corean ports. China is aware of this and, as I have before written, is urging Corea to make treaties with Western Nations.
The Corean question therefore is one of great interest here in the East, and it would be seen that the prestige which we acquired by the treaty with Japan should be maintained by being also the first to make a treaty with Corea.
It therefore after the present overtures (which are of the most friendly character) are received, that Government should refuse to entertain any proposition. Especially for the protection of shipwrecked mariners and property stranded upon the Corean coast, it will be for the Government of the United States to decide upon the property of using other and perhaps more forcible means.
I think, but do not state it positively that a display of our navel forces in these sea upon the Corean coast would bring about intercourse at least, and perhaps a treaty at all events; the squadron is strong enough to attack and hold any desirable point on the coast.
I have the honor to enclose herewith copy of my letter to the King of Corea, marked “A” with copies of the correspondence in relation to its transmitted to Corean Capital, marked BDFFGHI

I have the honor to be......
R.W. Shufeldt