(No. 102)
Confidential
The Earl of Derby
Yedo
June 9, 1876
My Lord,

I informed Your Lordship in my telegram of the 6th instant that the Foreign Minister hesitated to give any pointed advice to the Corean Envoy now in Yedo as to the desirability of his country entering into relations with Western nations because he had no grounds for taking up the subject, and I added that I had strong reason to believe that, if Foreign Powers contemplated sending Missions to Corea, Japan would, in that case, recommend the latter to make treaties similar to that which she has concluded with Japan.
I formed this opinion from a conversation I held with the Foreign Minister on the 5th instant. I observed to him that I believed the views of his Government and my own were identical as to the desirability of Corea maintaining her independence, the 1st Article of the Japanese Treaty with Corea proved this to be the wish of Japan, and as he must be aware that it was essential to the realization of that wish that Corea should enter into relations with Western Powers. I enquired whether he did not think it expedient to profit by the presence of the Corean Envoy to press this view on his attention.
He observed to me that he found it difficult to approach a subject which he felt would be distasteful to the Envoy, and which he had no particular reason for bringing forward. If he did so spontaneously the Coreans would probably suspect Japan of some complicity with foreigners but if a question arose between the latter and the Coreans in consequence of foreign ships visiting Corea he thought Japan would in that case be ready to give Corea proper advice, and there would then be some chance of that advice being listened to. At present, he feared, Corea was inclined to regard all foreign nations as her natural enemies.
Japan, I replied, should endeavor to disabuse Corea of such an unreasonable idea, and to convince her that if she accepted relations with Western Powers, they would become interested in seeing her independence preserved. Japan could now speak to Corea as a friend, and the experience she had gained in foreign matters entitled her advice to attention. Siam might be cited as an instance of a small country having protected herself by foreign intercourse whilst Annam afforded an example of the danger of avoiding it. The risk to which Corea was exposed by exclusion was doubtless as well understood by him as by me. The difficulty of foreigners coming to any understanding with Corea lay with the latter. They might, at least, be advised not to attack visitors who went to them with a friendly object, as if they adhered to this disposition they might, at any time, bring trouble upon themselves. Foreigners would sooner or later have to treat with Corea if only on such subjects as navigation, and the treatment of shipwrecked people, and when the necessity arose Corea should be prepared to act in a reasonable manner.
Mr. Terashima observed that, although the Envoy carefully avoided discussion on any subject beyond his immediate business he believed that some of his suite held the view that Corea would no longer think of attacking any foreign ship that might visit her shores. He greatly regretted that Gokeshiyaku, the Corean Officer who has so often seen Mr. Mayers at Peking—had not come with the Mission as he well understands the importance of foreign relations to Corea.
I think it may be concluded from the above remarks that if I were in a position to inform Mr. Terashima that a foreign Mission is really about to visit Corea for the purpose of negotiation the Japanese Government would not then hesitate to counsel the Coreans to receive it in a friendly way. Mr. Moriyama has told me that he feels confident that the Coreans would not now attack such a mission, and his sympathies are so strong in favour of Corea concluding Treaties with Foreign Powers that I feel satisfied he would do all in his power to bring about such a result.
If a mission were contemplated it would be well that the Envoy should convey the news to Corea on his return, but if not, then I think, as I mentioned in my telegram, he should receive notice of the Survey of the “Sylvia” if this is to be proceeded with.
I have, &c.

Harry S. Parkes