Legation of the United States
Peking, February 1, 1873

Subject,
　French Expedition to Corea in 1866, and a proposition made by Mr. Seward to France in 1867 for an alliance between France and the United States with a view of sending a joint expedition to Corea.
　Reports no substance of a conversation with the French Minister upon these subjects, and encloses copy of the draft of a dispatch from the French Government to M. Berthémy at Washington in reply to the proposition which has been made by Mr. Seward.

　In a conversation recently with the French Minister, Corean affairs were mentioned and the policy of Western Nations respecting that Country briefly discussed.
　In connection with this subject, M. de Geofroy gave me some interesting information concerning the French Expedition of 1866, which explains the action of the French Government which has hitherto seemed mysterious and contradictory. Hints and insinuations to the same effect has been thrown out by the late Charge d’ Affairs, but as it was impossible to verify their accuracy. I did not deem it admirable to communicate the rumors to the Department.
　It appears that the French Expedition of 1866 against Corea was undertaken by the Admiral in Command in these Seas, whom the advice of M. Bellonet then Charge d’Affairs in Peking, without consultation with, or orders from the home Government. When the report that such an Expedition was contemplated reached Paris instructions were dispatched to Admiral Roze directing that no movement be made without positive orders. These dispatches did not arrive in China until after the Expedition had started, and of course did not reach the Admiral until after his return from Corea.
　When the report of the Admirals operations reached France, the Government disapproved of the whole affair and censured the principal actors in it. It is understood that the Admiral was relieved of his command and suspended, pending and enquiry which had been ordered, and M. Bellonet was recalled from Peking. This action of the Government coupled with the published reports of the Expedition caused the public to believe that French arms had suffered an ignominious defect, which the opposition in the Corps Legislatif were not slow to take advantage of ; and as a natural consequence unpleasant and embarrassing questions were propounded to the Ministry touching the causes of the dispatch in Corea as well as Mexico ; pointed inquiries were also made as to the course of the Government proposal to pursue to restore the prestige of France and vindicate her honor.
　The Executive Government finding it difficult to answer these interrogatories chose a new line of action. It was suddenly discovered that the fresh reports about the defeat of the Corean Expedition were erroneous ; that the Command of Admiral Roze, instead of suffering defeat had severely chastised the Coreans ; that the outrages inflicted by that people whom the Missionaries had been effectually and amply redressed ; and that the dignity and honor of the Government had been fully vindicated.
　As a natural result of this change of position Admiral Roze was reinstated and promoted, and M Bellonet was assigned to a new and better post.
　In the conversation referred to M. de Geofroy disclosed another interesting piece of information which though quite new to me is without doubt well known to you. I refer to a formal proposition made to the French Government for a joint Expedition to Corea. If I am correctly informed such a proposition was made by Mr. Seward, late Secretary of State, early in 1867, to the French Minister in Washington, with the request that he would submit it to his Government and get an answer. It was proposed to organize and send a joint Expedition (American and French) strong enough to conquer Corea. Details were not discussed. One proviso only was strongly insisted on by Mr. Seward : that England should not under any circumstances be permitted to join.
　M Berthémy dispatch conveying Mr. Seward proposal reached Paris about the time that the events previously referred to were transpiring, and of course the Government determined at once that the proposition could not be entertained ; and M. de Geofroy, who was at that time Under Secretary in the Foreign Office, was directed to frame a dispatch in reply which would embody the views of the Government. The draft was submitted to the Cabinet, who, after making, some unimportant changes in the phraseology without altering the sense, directed it to be copied and sent M Geofroy has in his possession the original draft, which he showed me confidentially ; he has also allowed me since to take a copy of it ; and, as it may interest you to see the instructions such on that occasion I beg to enclose a copy.

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your obedient Servant
Frederick F. Low