Nagasaki, Japan
Hon. Frederick T. Frelinghuysen,
Secretary of State
State Department
Washington, D.C.

Sir,

I have the honor to request that this dispatch may be considered a continuation of my dispatch No. 7 dated Shanghai May 29th.
The causes which brought about a treaty between the United States and Corea, and the events which lead up to it, have been narrated in my several communications to the Department.
The antagonism between China and Japan, extending even to parties among the Coreans themselves, has been the underlying reason for the action of China, which made me from my long communication with the subject, the medium for securing the American treaty with Corea.
Two years ago the same effort on my part through the intervention of Japan failed, I yet have reason to know, that if from any cause China had declined to assist at the present time; Japan would have seized the opportunity of retrieving the mistake which she made, and which she now realizes that she made on the former occasion.
Nonetheless it is due to the Government of China to acknowledge its friendly offices, and the very efficient and practical manner in which they were rendered. It is also proper to add, that the Commissioners of Corea were manifestly in favor of concluding the treaty rather through the intervention of China, than of Japan. Ma Taotai, the agent of the Chinese Government sent over to Corea to act as the intermediary, managed the negotiation with great skill; inspired perhaps by the knowledge that Mr. Hanabusa the Japanese Minister resident in Corea, was watching every movement, and was only prevented from offering his services by the sudden, and to him unexpected conclusion of the treaty. The Department must have been made aware of the reasons for the action of China by my dispatch of Jan 23th (No. 1) in time to recall my commission if it so desired. My telegram also of April 12th, indicating that I was ready to go to Corea, could have been answered in the interval between the date and May 1st the day fixed for my departure, in time to countermand the movement if anything had occurred to render such action advisable. Not receiving however any further instructions either by mail or telegraph, I felt myself obliged under those already in my possession to proceed to Corea. Accordingly after a correspondence between his Excellency Li-Hung-Chang and myself at Chefoo (enclosures Nos. 1 +2) it was arranged that Ma Taotai should proceed me by one day to the anchorage in the Salie River at Yin-Chuen or [____] the seaport of Séoul the capital of Corea.
This was done, and on my arrival at that port I found anchored there, two Chinese man-of-war with an Admiral on board, and also a Japanese corvette.
May 14th occurred, as stated in enclosures Nos. 8+9, the first visit of the Corean commissioners to the ‘Swatara’ the first visit of an official character ever made by Corean official on board of a man-of-war of any Western nation.
On the 17th of May, I was informed by the commanding officer of the Japanese corvette ‘Banjo,’ of the presence in Séoul of Mr. Y. Hanabusa H.I.J.M. Minister resident in Corea. At the same time was handed me a letter of introduction to that gentleman, from the Hon. John A. Bingham, U.S. Minister at Tokei. The correspondence resulting from this letter will be found in enclosures Nos. 7&9.
In inclosure No 13 will be found the details of the first visit made by myself, accompanied by a staff of officers to the Corean Commissioners at Hen-Shaw, six miles in the interior; where credentials were exchanged, the letter of the president of the United States to the King of Corea delivered for transmission, and a day fixed for the signing of the treaty.
May 22nd I proceeded, as agreed upon, to the place appointed for signing the treaty; accompanied by fifteen officers of the ship, and proceeded by a file of marines bearing the American flag. Full details of the ceremony will be found in inclosure No. 14.
After the conclusion of the ceremony, salutes were exchanged between the Chinese Admiral and myself, Mr. Hanabusa was also saluted, as well as one of the Corean Commissioners who came on board to make a farewell visit.
On the morning of the 24th of May, I left Corea for Shanghai, arriving on the evening of the 26th.
I visited that port, because, in the absence of any authorized interpreter with me in Corea, it became necessary to secure the services of the Government interpreter attached to the U.S. Consulate General. All the documents forwarded with the treaty were translated by that officer, and may therefore be regarded as entirely trustworthy.
After this work was accomplished and forwarded to the Hon. Secretary of State by mail, I came to Nagasaki in the ‘Swatara’ on the 4th inst., and notified Comdr Cooper commanding, that my mission was accomplished by letters to him, and to Admiral Clitz, as per inclosures Nos. 15 & 16.
The Department on the receipt of this dispatch, will be in possession of as complete a [_____] as in my power to give, of an event which may become an important era in modern history.
England and Germany are following in the footsteps of the United States. In all probability they will make treaties based upon our own, and will no doubt be the first to reap the fruits of the new commercial field.

I have the honor to be,
with great respect,
your obedient servant,
R.W. Shufeldt
Commodore, U.S.N.