Sir H.S. Parkes to Earl Granville.—(Received February 1, 1884)

(No. 44) Tien-tsin, December 7, 1883

My Lord,

BY the Regulations made last year between China and Corea, the frontier trade of the two countries is conducted under ad valorem duties of 5 per cent. As the Tariff which is attached to the Treaty which I signed at Söul on the 26th ultimo is based on ad valorem rates of 5, 7½, 10, and 20 per cent., the German Minister and myself considered it necessary to receive an assurance from the Corean Plenipotentiary that if that Tariff should place British and German trade in Corea at any disadvantage in its competition with the Chinese frontier trade, its rates should be readjusted so as to remove that disadvantage.
This understanding is recorded in a note which we received from the President of the Corean Foreign Office (who was also the Corean Plenipotentiary for the negotiation of the Treaty), and of which I inclose a translation. I also forward a copy of my reply, in which I observed that I had no doubt that his Excellency’s note on this subject would be received with satisfaction by Her Majesty’s Government.
I may add, however, that as eight or nine tenths of the British trade with Corea will enter under the 5 and 7½ per cent. rates of the Tariff attached to our Treaty, I have little doubt that it will be able to compete successfully with the Chinese frontier trade, which will be burdened by the heavy charges of land transit.

I have, &c.
(Signed)　　HARRY S. PARKES

Inclosure 1

Min Yöng-mok to Sir H.S. Parkes

(Translations) Kuei Wei, 10th moon, 25th day (November 24, 1883)

MIN, President of the Corean Foreign Office, makes a communications to the British Plenipotentiary.
With reference to the Tariff attached to the Treaty signed this day by the President and his Excellency, the President is authorized by his Government to state that if the duties levied at their land frontier should hereafter become prejudicial to the trade at the open ports of Corea, the Corean Government will be willing to take into consideration the readjustment of their Tariffs, with the object of placing them on an uniform and equal basis, &c.

Inclosure 2

Sir H.S. Parkes to Min Yöng-mok.

Söul, November 27, 1883
Sir,

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s note dated the 24th instant, stating that, with reference to the Treaty signed by your Excellency and myself, you are authorized by your Government to state that if the duties levied at their land frontier should hereafter become prejudicial to the trade of the open ports of Corea, the Corean Government will be willing to take into consideration the readjustment of their Tariffs, with the object of placing them on an uniform and equal basis.
In forwarding to my Government the Treaty which has been signed by your Excellency and myself, I shall at the same time transmit a translation of the note under acknowledgment, which I have no doubt will be received with satisfaction by my Government.

I take, &c.
(Signed)　　HARRY S. PARKES