Sir:

This interview partook largely of a personal and intimate character and lasted for nearly three hours.—
His Excellency asked me first- if there was anything I desired- I told him in behalf of Government. I desired that China would use her influence to secure with the Corean Government; a treaty of amity between Corea and United States that this country (Corea) laid directly between American and Eastern Nations with which our commerce was in constant communication, and although Corea as I knew was a poor country and promised but little in itself of commercial importance, yet as it was in the live of ocean travel. It was of importance to secure from that Government protection by treaty of American lives and property that might be stranded upon its shores—.
After a prolonged discussion in which the strategic position of the Peninsula of Corea with reference to Russia, China, and Japan was pointed out. His Excellency told me that I might say to my Government that he would use his influence with the Government of Corea to accede to the friendly request made by me in behalf of the Government of the United States to open negotiations with a view to such a treaty as before mentioned.
For this friendly act I thanked him and assured him that it would meet with the appreciation deserved—.
Before closing this subject it was decided that the action of the Corean Government would be imparted to the American Minister at Peking, and for the purpose of acquainting him with this fact I have written our Minister a communication copy of which is herewith enclosed.
Second. His Excellency then said that he had invited me to Tientsin with the view of getting the opinion of a naval officer in whom he had confidence on the result of a war between China and Russia so far as naval operations on the sea coast of the former were concerned.
He begged me to reflect on my answers because he desired my opinion to have full force and effect not only with himself, but in the counsels of the nation.
I replied by saying substantially that in view of the formidable Russian naval force throughly drilled and equipped already upon the coast of China, and in view also of the incomplete and chaotic condition of the Chinese Navy, of which I was well aware the result could only be one of disaster to China.
After discussing the crisis in an international point of view, His Excellency seemed much impressed and assured me that war should not occur between these two countries if China could possibly avert it.
He said that the two Empress and Prince of Kung-Prime Minister were decidedly in favor of peace as well as himself, and that the thought of these counsels would prevail.
The result of this interview is necessarily given in brief, but I cannot refrain from expressing any admiration for the intelligence and judgement displayed by His Excellency Li Hung-chang, and my extreme pleasure in the treatment received from him and the evident respect he entertained for my opinions.
In conclusion he expressed the hope that when peace was assured that my Government would permit me to assist China in the organization of its Navy. This, of course, is a matter to some extent personal insists nature, but if consumated would add very much to American influence in China, and probably and in the construction of ships for the Government in American ship yards.

I have the honor ……
R. W. Shufeldt