[Signature and seal of His Majesty the King of Tah-Chosun.] to By order. [Seal of Min-Yon-Mok, president of the foreign office.], July 14, 1883
No. 115. The King of Tah-Chosun to President Arthur.
The ratifications of the treaty concluded between our countries having now been exchanged and friendly relations established, I now send to the United States of America, as minister plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary, Min-Yong-Ik, and as vice-minister Hong-Yeng-Sik, in order to convey to Your Excellency the assurance of my gratification.
Being in my confidence and instructed so as fully to express my ideas they will no doubt satisfactorily perform their duties, and I hope that full faith and credence will be given to them in order that the friendship of our countries may increase and that perfect harmony may be attained. I have no doubt that Your Excellency will fully share my views.
By order.
A true translation.
Foreign Secretary of Special Mission.
The representatives of Tah Chosun to President Arthur.
We, Min-Yong-Ik and Hong-Yeng-Sik, are present in person to address Your Excellency the President of the United States of America.
Together we have come to Your Excellency, as the representatives of the Government of Tah-Chosun. We desire to convey to Your Excellency, from our hearts, our sincere wishes for the health and welfare of Your Excellency and of the people of the United States.
The people of our countries having entered into friendly intercourse with each other, and having, both on our side and yours, bound themselves mutually to continue these happy relations, we pray that the people of both our lands may live forever, without change, in peace and happiness.
We beg to offer to Your Excellency two official papers from our Government; the first is a reply to Your Excellency from His Majesty the King of Tah-Chosun; the second is our letter of credentials, which we herewith ask leave to present.
A true translation.
Foreign Secretary of Special Mission.
President Arthur’s address to the representatives of Tah-Chosun.
Mr. Minister and Mr. Vice-Minister: It gives me much pleasure to receive you as the representatives of the King and Government of Tah Chosun.. I bid you a cordial welcome.
We are not ignorant of your beautiful peninsular country, with its surrounding islands, or of their productions, or of the industries of your people, who in population number more than twice that of the United States when they became an independent nation.
The ocean which intervenes between our respective domains, has, by means of the introduction and perfection of steam navigation, become a highway of convenient and safe intercourse. You are our neighbors.
The United States from their geographical position, are, of all others, the nation with which the orientals should cultivate friendship and a commerce which will prove to them and to us alike beneficial and profitable, and which must constantly increase.
This Republic, while conscious of its power, of its wealth, and of its resources, seeks, as our history shows, no dominion or control over other nationalities, and no acquisition of their territory, but does seek to give and receive the benefits of friendly relations and of a reciprocal and honest commerce.
We know you can be of benefit to us, and we think that when you become familiar with the improvement we have made in agricultural implements and processes, and in the mechanical arts generally, you will be satisfied that we can give you a fair return for the benefit you may confer on us; and it may be that in our system of education and in our laws you will discover some things that you will be glad to adopt.
It was fit and becoming that you should have made with us your first treaty of intercourse, amity and commerce.
You will be so good as to present to your King my respectful regards, and to express to him my gratification and that of our people that he should have seen proper to honor us by the visit of this embassy.
Gentlemen, I trust that while you are in our country you will have health and enjoyment.
It will be the purpose of our Government and people so to receive you that you shall carry home with you pleasant recollections of the American Republic.