Mr. Kennedy to the Marquis of Salisbury.-(Received July 14)

(No. 90 Confidential)
Yedo, May 25, 1880

My Lord,

WITH reference to my despatch No. 75m Confidential, of the 1st instant, I have the honour to inclose a French translation of a letter addressed to the leading Japanese paper “Nichi Nichi Shimbun” (“Daily News”), on topics connected with Corea.
In reply to my inquiries, Mr. Inouyê informed me to-day that the information contained in this letter respecting the visit of the United States’ ship of war “Ticonderoga,” the arrival of a Corean Envoy in Japan, and the mission of a Russian Agent to Corea, was substantially correct.
His Excellency stated that since the return to Japan of the “Ticonderoga,” Commodore Schufelt had sought an interview of him in order to express his disappointment at his failure to open communications with the Corean authorities at Fusan, and to declare his intention of renewing his efforts to communicate with the Coreans by proceeding straight to the River Koka, and if possible to the capital, Seoul.
In reply to Mr. Inouyé’s declarations that the Japanese Government could render no assistance, and that the Corean authorities had evinced a special aversion to Americans, Commodore Schufelt rejoined, according to his Excellency, that he founded his hopes of success on the strength of a polite exchange of letters which had occurred between himself and the Corean authorities of the city of Seoul some twelve years ago, and that his name alone would awaken pleasant memories in the breasts of the Corean authorities; besides which, continued the Commodore, the orders of the United States’ Government enjoined him to make a decided effort towards the conclusion of a Treaty of Commerce with Corea.
With regard to the prospects of success of Commodore Shufeldt, Mr. Inouyé remarked to me that any pleasant memories connected with the Commodore’s name would have been effaced by the subsequent bombardment by United States’ ships of war of the villages and forts on the River Koka, and that he confidently predicted a complete failure of the Commodore’s renewed attempt to enter into friendly communication with Corea. But his Excellency believed that Commodore Schufelt would not have recourse to force on this occasion.
Respecting the presence of a Russian Envoy in Corea, Mr. Inouyé informed me that, according to reports received by his Department, a Russian agent had arrived in a ship of war coming from Vladivostock at the mouth of the river Toman, which forms the frontier-line between Corean and Russian Siberia. After proceeding some distance up the river the Russian Agent had requested the local Corean authorities to receive and transmit a letter addressed to the Government at the capital. Upon the refusal of the local authorities to comply with this request, the Russian Agent had declared his intention of taking the letter himself to Seoul, whereupon the local authorities undertook to transmit the letter, and the Russian Agent departed with and intimation that he would return for the answer at the expiration of a year. The object of the Russian Envoy was, in Mr. Inouyé’s belief, to conclude a Treaty of Commerce with Corea.
Form the foregoing observations your Lordship will perceive that Corea forms an object of interest to more than one Great Power. My french colleague, M. de Balloz, who also takes an interest in Corean affairs, has suggested to me the expediency of assisting and encouraging this American expedition, because the result of success on the part of the United States would be to open the Corean ports to all other nations. To this suggestion I have replied that, whilst wishing success to the American operations, I must decline to say or do anything openly in that respect.
I have held this language because it is clear, both from the Report of Mr. Consul Troup, forwarded to your Lordship in my despatch No. 82 of the 5th instant, and from the Returns of trade between japan and Corea inclosed in my immediately preceding despatch, and in my despatch No. 189 of 27th October, 1870, that British trade with Corea, through Japan, is already on a satisfactory footing and that it may be still further encouraged by modifications in respect of drawbacks and bonded warehouses for the attainment of which an opportunity will be afforded in the impending Treaty revision with Japan.
It is meanwhile evident that the japanese Government dread the possibility of Russian success in Corea, and much desire the conclusion of Treaties of Friendship and Commerce by other nations with that country.

I have, &c.
(Signed) J.G. Kennedy