Washington, March 28, 1870

　In regard to the scene of the operating I beg leave to offer a few suggestions, which though not founded upon any precise knowledge, seem to have ground enough for practical use.
　We have no treaty with Corea, nor has any European nation one.
　The peninsula bearing this name is so little known, its outline being merely sketched upon our charts, that its shores offer very great dangers to navigators; and from time to time we hear of ship-wrecks upon the islands or reefs which surround it.
　Corea stretches down between the Yellow Sea and Sea of Japan, both of which sheets of water are traversed by our vessels.
　The crews of the unfortunate ships which may be stranded upon this coast, are sometimes well treated; but they are sometimes, very badly treated.
　All the people on board the American Schooner General Sherman, were killed in Corea. It is thought that the errand of the General Sherman was to say the least, illegal; but this does not absolve the government from the obligation of inquiring into the reasons for putting them to death.
　It was the opinion of Mr. Seward the US Consul General at Shanghai that the Chinese Government would if asked to do so, use its good offices with the Coreans, for obtaining such a treaty as we might wish and he further believed that a treaty in favor of our ship, wrecked seamen could readily be effected: but even if the Coreans should be averse to any stipulations in regard to them, this does not seem to be a reason why we should not demand their good treatment, and safe delivery to the nearest Consul in China or Japan, upon the stipulation that the expenses shall be repaid.
　So little is known of Corea that it remains a matter of doubt whether vessels such as our double-enders can be brought before the Capital. If this may be done, our diplomacy could scarcely fail of success.
　Mr. Seward thinks there is little in Corea to tempt foreign commerce; and that consequently there would be little advantage in stipulating for other things than the protection of shipwrecked seamen.
　He said to me that so much jealousy exists in China and Japan between the various Christian powers that it would probably be advantageous to have our intention and the scope of the treaty made known to the various governments.
　This announcement would probably prevent their unfriendly offices and prevent drafting beyond our deliberate intentions.
　In Corea not only may the crews of our stranded vessels be murdered without our ever hearing it, but unprotected villages in that country are liable to be robbed by our sailors without our knowing it.
　Therefore it seems proper to secure the right of having an Agent in Corea to superintend events relating to our shipping.
　This treaty so proposed, would prepare the way for a more extended one, should it prove desirable hereafter.

Very respectfully
Your obt. st.
John Rodgers
Rear Admiral

Hon. Geo M Robeson
Secretary of the Navy