(ADM 125/142/3)
Vice Admiral Willes
Admiralty
17th April 1882

Sir:

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith a copy of the letter from the Foreign Office, enclosing a printed copy of a dispatch from H.M. Charge d’affaires at Yedo, relative to the alleged intention of the Americans to negotiate a treaty with the Coreans, in order to open up that district to American trade.
2. As Sir Thomas Wade, in a telegram which is alluded to in the Foreign Office letter, states that the treaty is now about to be negotiated, and is likely to be restrictive as regards opium, missionaries and jurisdiction, and as Sir Harry Parkes reports that the Expedition will be supported by the American Admiral on the Station a telegram in the following sense was sent to you on 14th instant.
“The American Admiral is about to proceed to Corea to support Commodore Shufeldt in negotiating a treaty with the Coreans, watch the proceedings of the Americans and if it is necessary you are authorized to hold negotiations with the authorities of Corea with a view to obtaining the advantages of the most favoured Nation for this country. There is no objection to the Squadron cruising in that neighbourhood and you are to report on the matter.”

I am Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed)　　Robert Hall