#12
U.S.S. Swatara
At Anchor Salie River
Off Yin Chuen, Corea

Hon. Chester Holcombe,
Charge d’Affairs, U.S. Legation
Peking, China

Sir,

By reference to my letter of the 6th instant you will be aware of my intended departure for Corea, and now have the honor to inform you that the ship anchored in the Salie river on the 11th inst., and that on the morning of the 14th I received a visit from the commissioners appointed by the King of Corea to negotiate the treaty we have had so long in contemplation.
Today I visited these commissioners at a town five miles in the interior and exchanged credentials with them. On Monday next, the 22nd inst., a final meeting is appointed for the purpose of signing the treaty; in which I do not apprehend any difficulty as both the government and people of Corea have been perfectly friendly.
The Swatara will probably sail on the 24th, but her destination is at present, undetermined. I give you this information, because, as we are so entirely cut off from communication, some apprehensions might be felt about the ship in the event of any lengthened absence.

I am very respectfully
Your obedient servant
(sg’d) R.W. Shufeldt
Commodore U.S.N.