Government House, Pao-ting-fu
2nd February 1882
To Commodore Shufeldt
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to Corea

Sir,

I have the honor of being informed by your letter, of the 23rd ultimo, of your appointment as a special Envoy to negotiate a treaty with Corea to the interests both of the United States and China. You requested by the same letter an interview with me either immediately in Pao-ting-fu or until I have now, first, to congratulate you on the sure success of your mission due to your tact and cordiality exclusive of the verbal message which I sent to you through Mr. Cheow Tinh the Haikwan Taotai and Mr. Lo Honghoh, my naval secretary. I have now to acquaint you that the Corean Government is contemplating to send a confidential envoy to me for the affair in question. Corea as you are well aware has been from time immemorial a dependant country on the Chinese Empire, its Government will consequently act under the instruction of China as the sincere friendship exists between ourselves in no less a degree than the most amicable relation between the two Governments it shall be my duty to render your mission successful in the most impartial manner. But as the success depends mostly upon keeping secrecy which, if once, be broken many obstacles would be thrown in the way by the parties who are jealous of your Governments’ initiating Corea, so I have to request you, if you see fit, to come to Pao-ting-fu incognito as a private traveler in the interior I will then consult with you in the principal points of the question.

I have the honor to be Sir
Your humble servant,
(a separate card)