#5, 6 + 7
May 8th, 1882

The U.S.S. Swatara got underway for the coast of Corea at 7 o clock in the morning with Commodore R.W. Shufeldt, U.S.N., on board as Special Envoy to that country. Took on board as interpreter, Ah Ling and with him a Chinese teacher.
May 12th
Anchored at 2:15 am today at the mouth of the Salie River, Corea a little below Rose or Albei Island, and found there the Chinese corvette Wei Yuen, bearing the flag of Admiral Ting, I.C.N., the steel ram Yang-wei and the dispatch boat Chen-hai; also the Japanese gunboat Banjö.
The commanding officer of the Banjö delivered a letter from the Hon. J.A. Bingham, U.S. Minister to Japan, of which the following is a copy:-
Legation of the United States
Tokei, Japan
April 26th, 1882

My dear Commodore:
It gives me pleasure to introduce and command to your most favorable consideration the bearer of this note, Mr. Hanabusa, H.I.J. Majesty Minister accredited to the Court of Corea. Should your business or pleasure call you to Corea, I have no doubt that you will find it to your advantage to cultivate intimate and, if need be, confidential relations with Mr. Hanabusa.
I remain my dear Commodore,
Very sincerely yours
(sgd) J.A. Bingham
Commodore R.W. Shufeldt, U.S.N.
&c &c &c
To which the following reply was sent through the commanding officer of the Japanese Gunboat Banjö:-
U.S.S. Swatara
At Anchor in the Salie River
May 12th, 1882