No. 288.
Mr. Evarts
to Mr. Stevens.
Washington, March 1, 1879.
Sir: It has afforded me pleasure to receive your dispatch No. 35, of January 24, reporting the peaceable adjustment of the main question, in dispute between Japan and Corea. It is hoped that the recession of Corea from the position assumed may be indicative of a better disposition to cultivate relations of friendship and commerce with the rest of the world. That it should take a step in that direction with a neighboring people of the same race is a hopeful sign, and it may be that the influence of Japan may make itself felt in the interest of furthering the enlightened policy which should seek to open the hitherto inaccessible regions of the rich Pacific coast to the beneficial tendencies of trade and material development.
I am, &c.,