Mr. Williams to Mr. Seward
Sir: It has been reported that a dreadful execution of two Roman Catholic bishops and nine priests, belonging to the mission in Corea, together with a large number of native Christians, took place in March last, attended by circumstances of great barbarity, and under the direct instigation of the highest authorities of that country. Three priests escaped arrest by hiding in the mountains, one of whom, named Ridel, afterwards succeeded in escaping, in a shallop manned by his native friends and co-religionists, to Chifu. The other two are supposed to be still alive in their retreats.
The French admiral was at Chifu at the time, and learned all the particulars of this affair from the refugee party. He has since determined to visit Corea at the head of all his available land and naval force, and obtain satisfaction from what seems to have been an unnecessary outrage, for it was very easy for the Coreans to have sent the missionaries over their borders. He has already despatched a gunboat or two to survey the coasts and channels leading up to the capital, and has himself gone to Shanghai (and Saigon if necessary) to prepare his expedition and return in October.
The full account of the proceedings of the Corean authorities, and what previous acts aroused their fears, or stirred their anger, to suddenly resort to these severe measures, to repress the new faith, will, I suppose, be known by and by; [Page 537] but enough has been done to furnish an excuse to the French authorities to interfere in the behalf of their countrymen living in Corea. It will probably result in opening the last country in the world which still forbids Europeans to travel or settle in it, and establishing the dominant influence of Christian nations throughout the entire globe, if nothing worse to the independence of the Corean peninsula.
It is rumored here that the Coreans have applied to the Chinese for help to oppose the French, but they can receive no aid from the middle kingdom.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.