Sir H.S. Parkes to Earl Granville,-(Received July 16)

(No. 99)
Tokio, June 11, 1883

My Lord,

IN my despatch No. 60 of the 21st April I requested your Lordship’s approval of the letters which I addressed to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Corea, on sending Mr. Aston there in the beginning of March, and I now beg to inclose translations of the replies to those letters which Mr. Aston brought with him on his return at the close of April.
The answer of the Foreign Minister is chiefly interesting as it conveys an acquiescence in my suggestion that the Corean Government, in their international relations should be guided by the principle of equality of treatment, which had a direct bearing on the arrangements recently concluded between Corea and China, and Mr. Aston’s Reports will have informed your Lordship that the Corean Government have distinctly admitted that they consider Great Britain to be entitled to the same privileges as Corea may concede to China.
I have pleasure in adding that the translations of these letters, which are written in Chinese, as well as those of the two letters from the President of the Foreign Board, which were inclosed in my despatches Nos, 89 and 94 of the 31st ultimo, have been made by Mr. Gubbins, the Acting Japanese Secretary of this Legation.

I have, &c.
(signed) HARRY S. PARKES

Inclosure 1

Hong. Prime Minister of Great Corea, to Sir H.S. Parkes.

6th day of the 3rd Month of the year of the Gont
(Translation)

I BEG to acknowledge the receipt, though{through} Mr. Aston, of your Excellency’s letter in original and Chinese translation, and to state that I have taken note of its contents. I beg to thank you for the cordial acknowledgements you express, which are indeed more than the occasion requires, and which I am quite unworthy to receive. The various points in your letter have all been discussed with Mr. Aston, through the Board of Foreign Affairs, and it will be the duty of that gentleman to report (the result of these discussions) to your Excellency. You, Sir Envoy, have resided long in the East, and you enjoy a high reputation for having industriously performed the duties of your position as Envoy.
I trust that the friendly relations between our two countries will continue for ever on the present cordial footing, and that both will enjoy prosperity.
I beg to communicate this answer.

With Respectful salutations,
(Signed) (L.S.) SUN MOK


Inclosure 2

Min, President of the Board of Foreign Affairs of Great Corea, to Sir H.S. Parkes.

6th day of the 3rd month of the year of the Glat
(Translation)
I BEG to acknowledge the receipt, through Mr. Aston, of your Excellency’s letter in original and Chinese translation, and I have respectfully noted its contents.
In this letter your Excellency states that it is a principle of international law that all people should be treated on an equal footing, and with perfect impartiality. It would be impossible, therefore, for me to do otherwise than assist (in the furtherance of the objects mentioned in your note). I have borne carefully in mind (all the points in your letter).
The proper steps have been taken in compliance with your request for the selection at the capital and the various ports, within the limits assigned for the conduct of trade, of suitable sites, which will be established, as places of residence for British officials and merchants after the ratification of the Treaty.
Agreements have already been concluded, in the execution of which the principle of equal treatment has been adhered to; and no favoured treatment having been extended to one (country) more than to another, our action in this respect is in accord with the views expressed by your Excellency.
Your Excellency further alludes in your letter to the Regulations which have been established for the conduct of trade between this country and China. I have been able, in conversation with Mr. Aston, to obtain some insight into your Excellency’s views on this matter. I have the honour to give you this reply in addition to the verbal answer I have given to Mr. Aston. I trust you are in the enjoyment of good health.

With respectful salutations,
(Signed) (L.S.) MIN-YOUNG-MOK