Mr. Sherman to Mr. Allen.

No. 63.]

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No. 72, of the 12th ultimo, stating that, in answer to the inquiry of the new Korean minister for foreign affairs as to what this Government intends to do in the matter of the assumption of the Imperial title by the King of Korea, you replied that your Government has expressed its willingness to recognize the new title, but had not as yet instructed you to congratulate His Majesty thereon officially.

In reply I have now to instruct you to convey to His Majesty this Government’s congratulations on the assumption of his new title.

Respectfully, yours,

John Sherman.