No. 303.
Mr. Dinsmore to Mr. Bayard.
Seoul Corea, April 28, 1888. (Received June 4.)
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, with translation, a copy of a note received from the foreign office on the 25th instant informing me of the knowledge of the Corean Government that Americans employed as teachers in the schools are engaged in evangelical work not only in the schools but amongst the people throughout the country as well, protesting against it, and requesting my official interference to prevent it.
It is claimed that schools and religious teaching are not authorized by the treaty, and the Government claims the right to restrict schools to such as may be sanctioned by it.
It is my opinion that there is no desire to interfere with the schools already established further than to prevent the inculcation of the Christian religion. In this connection I would respectfully call attention to the French Corean treaty, in which the right to study and teach laws, arts, and sciences is accorded by the latter Government. (I have not a copy of the treaty in the legation.)
In my reply to the note from the Corean foreign office I wrote that I would exercise my fullest influence and authority to effect an observance of the rights of the Corean Government on the part of our citizens and to inspire them with respectful consideration of its wishes. (A copy of my note is inclosed.)
Mr. Appenzeller and Mr. Underwood, of the Methodist and Presbyterian missions, respectively, having left Seoul some days before for the north of Corea with the purpose of evangelical work, I sent them a note advising them of the correspondence herein reported and requested that they would accede to the Corean Government’s demands at least until such time as their right to engage in the work of Christianizing the natives shall appear established. My note was accompanied by requests from their respective boards for their return to Seoul.
I have, etc.,