Mr. Plunkett to The Earl of Derby.―(Received April 24)

(No. 40)
Yedo, March 3, 1876

My Lord,

About 9 o’clock on the afternoon of the last instant I received a private note from Mr. Iwakura, translation of which is herewith inclosed, informing me that negotiations with Corea were concluded, and that a Treaty had been signed on the 27th of February.
I have the honour to inclose copy of the reply I wrote unofficially to Mr. Iwakura on receipt of his Excellency’s note, as well as of a private letter which I received next morning from the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, and of the note which I sent to him in acknowledgment of his communication.
No particulars having yet been published, I called this afternoon on Mr. Terashima, and after congratulating his Excellency on having so quickly obtained a pacific solution of the Corean question, I inquired whether he could tell me what were the conditions of the Treaty.
His Excellency, who were evidently overjoyed at the success of Mr. Kuroda’s mission, replied that he could tell me nothing more than what I had heard from Mr. Sameshima.
Mr. Kuroda had merely telegraphed one single line from Shimonoseki, and was coming on directly to Yedo, where he ought to arrive on the 5th. After the Commissioner’s arrival only would the Cabinet itself know the conditions; but Mr. Terashima added laughingly, “when the news is good, one line is sufficient.”
The substance of Mr. Kuroda’s telegram was published yesterday in the Proclamation, of which a translation is herewith inclosed.
Nothing whatever had been heard from Mr. Kuroda since the end of January, and nothing had transpired as to how he had been received on his arrival at Kokwa. The intelligence, therefore, has taken everybody by surprise, and has been, as far as I can yet judge, received with pleasure, and more especially with relief, by the public, both foreign and Japanese.

I have, &c.
(Signed)　　F. R. PLUNKETT

Inclosure 1
Mr. Iwakura to Mr. Plunkett.

(Translation)
Yedo, March 1, 1876.

According to the promise which I made to you when you were so kind as to visit me and have friendly conversation a few days since, I beg to inform you that a telegram was received at 2 o’clock this afternoon from Kuroda, our High Commissioner Plenipotentiary, now residing at the Island of Kokwa, in the country of Corea, to the effect that his negotiations with that country have been completed, and that the seals of both parties were attached to a Treaty on the 27th ultimo.

In haste,
(Signed)　　IWAKURA TOMOMI

Inclosure 2
Mr. Plunkett to Mr. Iwakura.

Sir,

I beg to thank your Excellency for your kind note on yesterday, and for having so promptly informed me of the happy conclusion of the negotiations with Corea. I hasten to offer you my best congratulations on an event which will mark an epoch in the history of this Empire.

I avail, &c.
(Signed)　　F. R. PLUNKETT

Inclosure 3
Mr. Sameshima to Mr. Plunkett.

My dear Mr. Plunkett,

It gives me much pleasure to inform you that Mr. Kuroda arrived yesterday at Shimonoseki, whence he has telegraphed the satisfactory news that he has concluded a Treaty with Corea. Knowing you are interested to hear about Corea, I take the earliest opportunity to inform you of the above facts.

Sincerely yours,
(Signed)　　SAMESHIMA

Inclosure 4
Mr. Plunkett to Mr. Sameshima.

My dear Mr. Sameshima,

I hasten to thank you for the friendly note you sent me this morning, and beg at the same time to congratulate you on the excellent news you have received from Corea.

Believe me, &c.
(Signed)　　F.R. PLUNKETT

Inclosure 5
Notification No. 25

(Translation)
To In, Shô, Shi, Chô, Fu, and Ken.

It is hereby notified that a telegram has been this day received, to the effect that our High Commissioner Plenipotentiary, Kuroda Kiyotaka, has concluded his negotiations with the Corean Government, and that a Treaty was exchanged with the said Government on the 27th ultimo.

March 2, 1876
(Signed) SANJO SANEYOSHI, Daijo-Daijin