Honorable William M. Evarts
Secretary of State

Sir: -

I have received from Commodore Shufeldt, who writes from Nagasaki, a letter stating that in an interview which he had with Li Hung Chang, Viceroy of this Province, the latter expressed a willingness to assist the Commodore in gaining access to Corea by sending a courier thither with some helpful message. The Commodore suggests that, in case any duties in connection with the attempt to open Corea are laid upon this Legation, the knowledge of this fact may be useful, and possibly the aid of the Viceroy may be secured. The Commodore writes that he is expecting to sail for American about the first of October. I presume his dispatches to our Government contain a fuller account of his interesting visit to the Viceroy.
Count de Luca, the Italian Minister, gives me some particulars of the recent visit of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Genoa, to Corea on the Italian man-of war, the “Vittor Pisani,” which are I think, of importance. The Duke went first to Fusan, the port where the Japanese Consul is stationed. This Consul endeavored to dissuade him from landing, intimating that there would be danger of commotion and conflict. However the Duke remained awhile, but failed to get a letter delivered to the authorities. He subsequently went to another port where there is no Japanese Consul, and was very kindly received. The Magistrate of the place came off to the vessel, and remained some hours. The Italians were allowed to land, and shot birds and dig oysters, and the Duke obtained what he specially desired, some of the silk worms of the country to take away with him. The impression which he received, and which Count de Luca has, is that the Japanese Consul is endeavoring to throw obstacles in the way of all nations, except his own, who desire access to Corea, and consequently that it is better to approach Corea from some other point than Fusan.
Count de Luca has kindly promised me a copy of the official report of the visit of the Duke. But as I cannot procure it in time for this mail, I send you this statement as I have it from the Minister. I shall hope to be able to forward you the official report by the next steamer.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant.