U.S. Consulate at Cheefoo
October 12, 1866

Sir:
　I have the honor to inform you, that the Chinese junks have arrived from Corea, and make the following reports, respecting the wreck and burning of a foreign schooner, viz: The Captain of one of them was engaged by Mr. Thomas to pilot the schooner up the river Phieng-an-do, as he was acquainted with Mr. Thomas before. He yielded, and took her up four tides. By this time, an alarm had spread amongst the natives, they taking her for a pirate, and would not believe the pilot, when he told them that she was a peaceful trader. (The General Sherman was heavily armed, and had a large crew.) All trade was stoped, and the natives began to collect, in large numbers, when his friends on board of the junk, becoming alarmed, refused to allow him to go any further, saying that if he was killed, they would have no face to return to Yentai; He therefore left them opposite little Phieng-an-do, about half way up the river. Those on board the schooner were determined to go farther. This was about the middle of the 8th moon. You will notice here a disagreement, between the date given by the French missionary, and this man. I think this date the most reliable for this reason. The French missionary’s informant was no doubt anxious to leave the Steamer as soon as possible, and being flurried by the many questions put to him by Mr. Ridel, may not have been as careful in the replies, as he otherwise would have been, and again Mr. Ridel was more desirous of learning about the Christians, and his colleagues, who were still in the mountains, and may not at the time have felt, the importance of examining him carefully on the date: The other junk, it seems, did not reach Corea, as, on its nearing the coast, a junk put off, and warned them not to go in, as a foreign vessel had been wrecked opposite Phieng-an-do, and all hands with the schooner burnt, on which the junk returned to Yentai. I fear that it may prove too true. There seems no doubt, but that some foreign vessel and crew have been burnt, and the General Sherman is the only one know to be on the coast.
　I think if not incompatible with public interest, that Admiral Bell would do well to send a vessel to make inquiries. It is true that the vessel ought not to have gone there, but this sad tale should disarm our judgment. The General Sherman did not enter at this port, stopping only long enough to take in water, and provisions.

I have the honor to be
Your Obedient Servant
Signed, E.S. Sandford
U.S. Consul

Geo. F. Seward Ex,
U.S. Consul General
Shanghai