No. 183 187
Corrected in record.
Once with Mr. Angell’s
request.
See his No. 191 of July 30
Legation of the United States
Peking
James B Angell
the Secretary of State
Subject
Commodore Shufeldt’s visit
Synopsis
The immediate prospect of securing a treaty with Corea has passed away. Reviews the situation of affairs in this connection. Commodore Shufeldt’s services if sought, are likely to be sought by Li Hung Chang.

No. 183 187
Legation of the United States
Peking, July 16th, 1884
Honorable James G Blaine
Secretary of State,
Sir:-

In your No. 94 (confidential) you informed me that Commodore Shufeldt U.S.N. was instructed to report to this Legation for special duty described in that dispatch.
The Commodore arrived here on the 7th instant and remained as my guest till the 13th instant when he set out for Tientsin. I had the pleasure of presenting him to the Diplomatic Representatives here and also to Prince Kung and the Ministers of the Foreign Office. He and I concur in the opinion that for the present at least he can best perform his duties by remaining chiefly at Tientsin and visiting the capital as occasion required.
I have through the winter watched as carefully as I could from here the course of events in Corea. I think that the situation is correctly described in Commodore Shufeldt’s dispatch of July 1st to you. If we had been ready to act say in November last, before the fear of a war between Russia and China was fully dispelled, it is very probable that we might have negotiated a treaty with Corea. I know that Li Hung Chang urged one of the Foreign Ministers here to go at that time to Corea, assuring him that a treaty could then be made. While the King and several of the high officers of the realm are disposed to establish relations with foreign powers, a strong and violent party is acting in opposition.
I do not learn here any tidings of a purpose of the Duke of Genoa to revisit Corea this season. Nothing that I see in the delegations here indicates the intention on the part of any of the Western Powers to press Corea for a treaty just now. They all seem to think that we are bent upon that work and for the present at least appear willing that we should do it, knowing well that they would soon share in the advantages to be secured.
The resources of the country are not great. The inhabitants now consume some of our cotton goods, and would consume more, if we had regular access to them. The peninsula lies near the pathways of Eastern commerce and it is very desirable that some treaty provisions for the relief of shipwrecked mariners be secured. As it is the only country upon the Asiatic seacoast to which access is denied, the whole world would rejoice to see it peacefully opened, and the United States may not improperly covet a glory kindred to that which she won by opening Japan.
Should our Government decide to make a persistent effort to secure a treaty with Corea, it may well heed one lesson which the experience of the past winter has suggested. It is this. The Commissioner or Minister charged with the negotiation should have authority to seize on any auspicious moment which presents itself. Had any one been authorized to act in November last, it seems probable that he could have accomplished something. But in the lapse of time required to write home and receive a reply, the opportunity must have been lost.
What the present temper of the Chinese Government is on the Corea question is not known. After conference, Commodore Shufeldt and I agreed that it was not yet time to approach them on the subject.
I note carefully your instructions concerning the conditions under which Commodore Shufeldt can be permitted to enter the Chinese navy.
I may say that it is extremely improbable that the Imperial Government will ask for his services, since that Government practically has nothing to do with the navy. The Viceroys and especially the Viceroy of Chihli and the Viceroy of Nanking, who are the Northern and Southern Superintendants of Trade, control the naval forces. If the Commodore’s services are sought, they will in all probability be sought by Li-Hung-Chang.
I think it would be well for us as it would certainly be fortunate for the Chinese, if as experienced and accomplished an American Officer as Commodore Shufeldt should for a time occupy a commanding position in the Chinese navy.

I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
James B Angell