went ashore, when, after offering some indignities to the people, they were arrested. Afterwards reinforcements from the Sherman came to their assistance, rescued them, and took them on board. This conduct, however, inflamed the people to such a degree that they attacked the party, killed eight of them, carried the others ashore, and destroyed the vessel. The leader, Jenkins, escaped and returned to China.

In March, 1868, shortly after this event, the United States

ship Shenandoah, then in Chinese waters, visited Ko

rea. Upon her re

turn, in May, 1868,

the commander reported that although he had slight intercourse with some of the natives on the coast, he had failed to learn anything in reference to the destruction of the Sherman and the fate of the persons

captured on board that vessel.

In April follow

ing, commissioners from Korea were sent to Shanghai with the object of learning the state of feeling with reference to the destruction of the Sherman and the killing of the persons on board that vessel, and to consult with the United States consul general as to the propriety of sending an em

bassy to Washington to explain the circumstances connected with the affair. They also represented that their government was considering the question of proposing the adoption of a treaty of friendship and commerce between the two nations. Mr. Seward, becoming interested in the subject, communicated some suggestions to the Department of State in reference to the propriety of making such a treaty and the correspondence was continued for some time. Meanwhile Admiral Rogers of the United States Navy, then in Chinese waters, also addressed our government upon the same subject and urged the negotiation of a treaty for the protection of shipwrecked seamen.

After prolonged consideration the secretary of state instructed Mr. Frederick F. Low, our minister to China, to confer with the Chinese government in reference to the conclusion of a treaty with Korea. This course was adopted for the reason that Korea was, in some respects, tributary to China and it was therefore deemed proper and advisable to secure first the good will and, if practicable, the good offices of that government. The Chinese minister of foreign relations, with characteristic eastern diplomacy, had little to say upon the subject that might involve him in any responsibility, but took occasion to inform Mr. Low that their relations with Korea were not such as to prevent the latter country from making such a treaty.

The preliminaries having been as far as possible arranged, the American commissioners, Mr. Low, Admiral Rogers, and Mr. Seward, with a squadron consisting of the United States vessels Colorado, Alaska, Benicia, Monocacy, and Palos, sailed from China, and arrived, May 30, 1871, off the coast of Korea at the mouth of the Salée River, fifty miles from Séoul, the capital of the country. Some of the natives, after the display of their customary caution and reserve, were

induced, by the friendly demonstrations of the Americans, to come on board, where they were entertained with kindness and attention and informed of the object of the visit. They were also advised that it was the intention of the admiral to send a surveying party up the river on the following day for the purpose of marking out the channel, to which he hoped no objections would be made; and he requested that the natives might be informed of their object and that, as their mission was peaceful, no hostile demonstrations might be made toward them. The natives replied that there would be no trouble about the survey but that, in the matter of a treaty, the people and the king were averse to contracting relations with foreign powers.

The surveying party, in the Palos, Monocacy, and some steam launches, started on June 1, 1871, making soundings and scientific observations, but, upon arriving at a sharp angle some distance up the river, batteries on either side of the stream were unmasked and fire opened upon the Americans. The vessels however soon silenced the batteries and drove the natives from their forts, after which they returned to the squadron. Some days were spent, after this occurrence, in a correspondence with the local officials with a view to a peaceful adjustment of affairs, but their stubborn reticence rendered every effort futile. Although informed that an apology for the attack upon the surveying party was expected from them, they studiously ignored the subject in their replies to the commissioners. Another expedition was therefore arranged and sailed up the river on June 10, 1871, returning two days later, after having captured five forts, which, with the munitions of war found in them, were destroyed.

Our minister, Mr. Low, now made another effort to open negotiations with the government by sending ashore a letter directed to the king, which was promptly returned unopened.

He again addressed a communication to the king and sent ashore an interpreter to deliver it and to explain to the people the necessity for its transmission to their sovereign; but this also was returned with a message that no one could be found who would dare convey it to the capital. Mr. Low finally concluded, in view of the circumstances, that any further efforts would be useless, so he returned shortly afterwards to his post. Admiral Rogers lingered for some time in the vicinity, but he too became convinced that no practical results could be accomplished and sailed with his squadron for China and Japan. Our government was duly advised of the failure of the expedition and, seeing no nope of accomplishing anything further without a display of force in Korean waters, all plans for opening negotiations with the Korean government were indefinitely postponed.

In 1874 there was a bloodless revolution in Korea, in consequence of which the ruler, who was a usurper, was deposed and the lawful successor to the crown was placed on the throne. The tyrannies previously suffered by the people were mitigated and, although the policy of nonintercourse with other nations was still adhered to, yet public interest was excited upon the subject. The embassies annually sent to China had become acquainted with the purpose of the attempt by the Americans to establish amicable relations with the people of Korea; and the natives who visited China took with them on their return books and papers relating to foreign countries, from which was derived general knowledge of the policies that governed these nations.

In the meantime, Japan became involved in a war with Korea, and, having prosecuted the conflict to a successful conclusion, a treaty of peace was signed, by the terms of which various ports of Korea were opened to the commerce of Japan. This event marked the epoch of the opening of Korea to

the outside world, since we find that the people were afterwards permitted to leave and return to their country, and were even allowed to carry their produce to foreign markets, and to take home with them the products of other countries. The conditions for negotiations with the government having now assumed a more favorable character, the United States again made an effort in that direction. Admiral Shufeldt of the American navy was intrusted with the delicate mission, which was discharged with such success that, on May 22, 1882, he concluded a treaty of peace, amity, and commerce with Korea, the ratifications of which were exchanged at the capital on May 19, 1883. This was the first treaty made with any power except Japan. By its terms ample aid and protection is to be extended to our vessels and seamen as well as to our citizens who may travel through or reside in the country; and certain ports were declared open to the commerce of the United States. This treaty was proclaimed on June 4, 1883.

Mr. Lucius H. Foote, the first minister of the United States to Korea, arrived there and assumed the functions of his office in May, 1883. He made a favorable impression upon the government and so fully convinced the king of the friendly interest and peaceable intentions of the United States that, on July 6, 1883, it was determined, in state council, to send two plenipotentiaries on a special mission to our country. They were accordingly dispatched with credentials to our government and duly arrived at Washington, where they were received by President Arthur with cordial demonstrations of friendship and treated with the attentions pertaining to their distinguished character. Our government has been fortunate in the selection of our diplomatic representatives to Korea, all of whom have cultivated friendly relations with that people and have acquainted them with the character, resources, and policies of our government. It is doubtless due to this fact