Mr. Foulk to Mr. Bayard.
Seoul, Corea, October 15, 1885. (Received December 7.)
Sir: I would respectfully ask the attention of the Department of State to the growing need of a United States consular officer at Chemulpo, Corea.
It is true that as yet but one American merchant, a general commission agent, has established himself there, yet it would appear to me that there is a strong desire of our merchants in the East to extend their business to Corea, and that they only await the facilities and protection to be afforded by the presence of consular officers at the open ports.
Chemulpo is pre-eminently the port of Corea at which foreign trade will be most rapidly developed. Although three years ago it was but a small fishing village, it now contains a population of 6,000 natives, 500 Japanese, 300 Chinese, and about 40 foreigners of Western countries. All these have been drawn there by trade only. The population is increasing rapidly, and it is reasonable to predict that it will become the second city of Corea as regards size, and the first as regards commerce.
The Chinese and Japanese have long since built expensive consulates at Chemulpo, and at the other open ports as well, and are represented by full consuls. Their concessions are well built up, contain many thriving shops and stores, and are thronged by Coreans at all times, most of these coming from the capital and the interior to trade.
[Page 360]England and Germany are represented by vice-consuls, that of the former occupying the comfortable and excellently situated building erected to become the consulate of the United States by Mr. C. H. Cooper, under an agreement to this effect made with him by Mr. Lucius H. Foote. A new consulate for England is about being completed.
The several American firms of Japan that have done business in Corea through traveling agents have been very successful in securing large orders, but the expenses of conducting business in this way have necessarily been great. They should have regular agencies established in the country, as at Chemulpo, but to conduct business through these successfully they must have consular assistance in combating the business prestige of the Japanese and Chinese.
I have already informed the Department that the American merchants of Yokohama have united in addressing me to ask that steps be taken to facilitate business enterprises they contemplate entering into in Corea.
While the experience Coreans have had in dealing with American merchants is limited as regards numbers of the latter, I am convinced that there is a strong desire among the leading Coreans to deal with them, this being not only the effect of upright dealings with our merchants in the past, but also of the general commendation given Americans in Corea by the Chinese.
Should a consular officer be appointed for Chemulpo, he would almost necessarily have to be salaried, as in all probability no person could be found who would accept the office with its fees for his remuneration.
I have, &c.,
Ensign, U. S. Navy, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.