#13
May 20th

By invitation of the Royal commissioners appointed by the King of Corea to make a treaty with the United States, Commodore Shufeldt visited their official residence at Yin Chuen, accompanied by Commander Cooper, Lieut. Comdr. Perry and Lieut. Stanton and Paymaster Harris of the Swatara. After the ceremonies incident to the arrival, they royal commissioner presented their power to negotiate, a copy of which in English will be forwarded on a subsequent page.
Commodore Shufeldt then presented the following documents as the evidence of his authority on the part of the President of the United States (in Chinese) to conduct the negotiation. These were accepted by the commissioners who then received from the hands of Commodore Shufeldt a letter from the President of the United States to the King of Corea. It was understood that this letter would be delivered and answered in terms of equality as existing between two sovereign rulers of friendly nations.
Upon the conclusion of this ceremony it was settled that at a joint meeting of the commissioners to be held on shore in view of the ship, on Monday the 22nd instant, the treaty which had previously been perfected was to be sealed, signed and delivered follow:
Great America, United States
Great President Arthur I now send Commodore Shufeldt of the United States Navy with this letter. Greeting: to meet and confer with your honorable nation and your government, and to consult as to signing a treaty of friendship and commerce. Reposing confidence in Commodore Shufeldt’s integrity and ability I give him full power of the United States to sign a treaty. This treaty to be transmitted to the United States and the senate to be satisfied. In proof of this I seal it and sign it in Washington, November 15th, 1881, and the one hundred and sixth year of the independence of the United States.
Great America, Imperial Decree of Commodore Shufeldt U.S.N. Special Envoy with full power.
I enclose a copy in Chinese of a letter to me from the President of the United States authorizing to make a treaty of friendship and commerce and will also send a letter from the President of the United States to his Majesty the King of Chosan, after the treaty is signed.
I will be obliged if you will give them your consideration. I am awaiting your reply on board my ship and hope that you will act justly for your nation in order to accomplish this treaty.

To the Full Power Board of Civil Office of Chosan
With Complements &c.
(sgd) R.W. Shufeldt
Commodore, U.S.N.