Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 3, 1888, Part I

No. 300.
Mr. Bayard to Mr. Dinsmore.

Department of State,
Washington, January 26, 1888.

No. 63.]

Sir: Your dispatch No. 73, diplomatic series, of the 17th of November last, touching the confidential communication to you of a telegraphic message from the Viceroy Li Hung Chang to the Chinese representative at Seoul in regard to the formalities prescribed for the presentation of the new Corean minister in the United States, was received here on the 4th instant about the time the Corean minister and suite landed at San Francisco, where every courtesy was shown them by the officials of the Treasury.

Mr. Pak Chung Yang arrived in this capital on the 9th instant, and on the next day addressed me a note asking an interview to arrange for the presentation of his credentials to the President, to which I replied the same day, assenting to his wish.

On the previous day I had received from the Chinese minister a note reciting his instructions with regard to his relations with the Corean envoy, agreeing in the main with the statements of your dispatch, except that Mr. Chang Yen Hoon makes no reference whatever to the order of procedure to be observed on ceremonial occasions, but this is immaterial, inasmuch as the rule of this Department arranges diplomatic agents in the order of seniority according to the date of their formal reception.

The Chinese minister called on me the day before that agreed upon by me and the Corean envoy for the Tatter’s visit, and made abundant expression of his satisfaction and that of his Government with the manner in which the Corean minister had been received by us. He indicated no desire or intention whatever to control or interfere with the Corean envoy’s action or official reception here, excepting by the implication of the tender of the thanks of China for courtesy toward what she claims to be her vassal.

Therefore as the United States have no privity with the inter-relations of China and Corea, we shall treat both as separate governments customarily represented here by their respective and independent agents.

Upon the appointed day, Mr. Pak Chung Yang, with his secretaries and suite, was received by me at this Department and the delivery of his credentials arranged for the 17th instant, when, at 11 o’clock, the Corean envoy was presented by me to the President, and the customary ceremonial addresses were made.

I inclose for your information copies of the correspondence^* on the subject exchanged with the Corean and Chinese envoys, as well as of the address of the Corean minister and the President’s reply, adding a printed copy of the recently issued diplomatic list of this Department, showing the relative position of Mr. Pak with regard to precedence.

A diplomatic dinner was given by the President on the 19th instant, after the Corean minister’s presentation, but as the invitations had been issued some time before his arrival in the United States, Mr. Pak’s name was necessarily omitted. I mention this for your information merely, so that in the event of any reference being made to this omission by the Corean foreign office in conversation with you, you may understand that no possible significance can attach to the fact.

I am, etc.,

T. F. Bayard.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 63.—Translation.]

Address made by Mr. Pak Chung Yang on presenting his credentials to the President.

I, Pak Chung Yang, the appointed minister plenipotentiary of Great Chosen (Corea), now, for the first time, see face to face the ruler of the great United States, and deliver to him in person the credentials which I bring by order of my king, after which I hope to reside at this capital to promote friendly and commercial relations.

I hope that our two peoples may come closer together in everlasting friendship and enduring peace.

All this I present to the great ruler of the United States, and wishing him prosperity and everincreasing greatness, I bow.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 63.]

Reply of the President to the address of Mr. Pak Chung Yang, Corean minister, on the occasion of presenting his credentials, January 17, 1888.

Mr. Minister: It gives me pleasure to receive the credentials you bear from His Majesty the King of Great Chosen, as the Corean minister plenipotentiary near the Government of the United States.

As the first among governments organized under modern representative systems to enter into treaty relations with Corea, the Government of the United States is gratified to see the friendly intercourse desired by both now fully confirmed by the establishment of the mutual diplomatic intercourse provided for by the treaty. Our efforts will not be wanting, Mr. Minister, to strengthen the ties of friendship and to develop relations beneficial to both countries.

As the worthy representative of a friendly nation I bid you, Mr. Minister, a cordial welcome to this capital, where I trust you may find health and comfort in your residence, and be enabled to render lasting service to both countries.

1. See Docs. Nos. 248, 249, 309, 310, pp. 380, 381, 453.