Sir:

In conformity with the Department’s instructions of May 9th ult., I have the honor to report the result of an interview had with His Excellency Viceroy Li Hung-chang as follow:
First.- His Excellency stated that as he had promised me in the month of August last that he would use his friendly efforts to bring about a treaty between Corea and the United States, he had in accordance with this promise held a long conversation with a Corean officer visiting China who although not a Minister, or officially authorized to represent the Corean Government, was yet a man of influence-. As the result of this interview the Corean was favorably impressed with the advantage of making a treaty with the United States.
Subsequently His Excellency the Viceroy wrote to the Government of Corea, but to this letter no answer has yet been received.- The current of event in Corea in the interval between my last visit and the present time seems to have been this; During the pending difficulty between Russia and China the Corean Government, harassed by the fear that Russia would in the event of war take possession of some of her ports, was not only willing but anxious to enter into treaty relations with the Western Powers-more particularly perhaps with the United States-. But when the treaty of peace was signed between Russia and China this apprehension was dispelled and Corea partially reverts back to its desire for isolation.
In the meanwhile two parties seem to have arisen in that country owing primarily to the visit of the “Ticonderoga”, one for and the other against opening the country to foreign commerce.
The Viceroy states that the King and Court officials belong to the first of these parties while many of the men occupying some of the minor offices of the Government are opposed to any foreign intercourse whatever.
The Viceroy also says that while he is satisfied that the influence of China would have great weight with the Government of Corea in effecting the treaty contemplated which he himself is anxious to secure yet, he apprehends that if any direct action is taken on the part of his Government in favor of the United States, the representatives of every Western Nation would demand the same on behalf of their respective governments. While therefore he does not see at present exactly what course to recommend in the matter, he advises me to have patience as he has the conviction that a treaty can eventually he made-.
The Viceroy seems to have been somewhat annoyed by an effort which he understood had been made by our Minister in Japan through the Chinese Embassy at Tokio to persuade the Corean Government to send an Envoy to Japan to confer with him on the subject of a treaty between the United States and Corea.
I informed the Viceroy that I know nothing of this matter nor had judge Bingham mentioned it to me during my late visit to Tokio-.
The jealousy existing between China and Japan, at present enhanced by the delicate relations between the two countries, will account for the feelings exhibited by His Excellency on this occasion—.
After a conversation as to the importance of a treaty with Corea, not only to that country but to China, I told His Excellency that I was prepared to let the subject rest until I could see our Minister at Peking, as I had no authority at present other than to ascertain the present condition of things.
In this connection I would state that I ascertained when in Japan that while on the one hand the French Missionaries had again been deported from Corea, that on the other hand the Corean Government had sent forty young men to Tokio for the purpose of reporting to their Government and the country the advantages of Western Civilization as exhibited in Japan.
Thus, it will be seen that the visit of the “Ticonderoga” has created a party and aroused a feeling which will undoubtedly lead to the opening up of that country to foreign commerce-.
As peace, however, has ensued between China and Russia, and thus the apprehension that Russia would take possession of Corean ports has been removed, it will be readily understood that neither the Viceroy nor the Chinese Government feels so earnestly the necessity of securing the integrity of Corea by means of treaties with Western Powers-. Nevertheless I am inclined to the opinion that in the course of a few months the friendly offices of China might be obtained and a Commissioner of the United States might succeed in making a treaty on Corean soil; this of course, would require the assistance of a ship of war.-
Second, His Excellency in reference to the appointment of a U.S. Minister to Peking warranted, me expressly to say that he would regard the selection of Judge Denny, the present Consul General at Shanghai, as best both for the interests of China and the United States, and for the perpetuation of the present amicable relations between the two countries-.
To use his own language he said he would “guarantee” from his long personal acquaintance with Judge Denny that he would give perfect satisfaction in the post of American Minister to Peking-. His Excellency requested me to state this in my communication to the Honorable Secretary of State.
During the interview the new Chinese Minister to Washington, His Excellency Chen Tsou Jü was present and the Viceroy desired me to commend him to the friendly offices of the Honorable Secretary of state, Mr.Blaine, and to the Government of the United States generally, saying that he hoped he would prove acceptable and aid in maintaining our present friendly relations-.
The interview concluded with the satisfaction which His Excellency the Viceroy expressed in the selection of Lieutenant Marris of the U.S. Marine Corps as instructor in Naval Torpedoes and coast defence-. His Excellency stated his opinion that this officer would render valuable service to China-.
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I shall proceed in a day or two to Peking and have already informed our Minister of my presence here.

I have the honor to be you obedient Servant.
R. W. Shufeldt