No. 300.
Mr. Bayard
to Mr. Dinsmore.
Washington , January 26, 1888.
Sir: Your dispatch No. 73, diplomatic series, of the 17th of November last, touching the confidential communication to you of a telegraphic message from the Viceroy Li Hung Chang to the Chinese representative at Seoul in regard to the formalities prescribed for the presentation of the new Corean minister in the United States, was received here on the 4th instant about the time the Corean minister and suite landed at San Francisco, where every courtesy was shown them by the officials of the Treasury.
Mr. Pak Chung Yang arrived in this capital on the 9th instant, and on the next day addressed me a note asking an interview to arrange for the presentation of his credentials to the President, to which I replied the same day, assenting to his wish.
On the previous day I had received from the Chinese minister a note reciting his instructions with regard to his relations with the Corean envoy, agreeing in the main with the statements of your dispatch, except that Mr. Chang Yen Hoon makes no reference whatever to the order of procedure to be observed on ceremonial occasions, but this is immaterial, inasmuch as the rule of this Department arranges diplomatic agents in the order of seniority according to the date of their formal reception.
The Chinese minister called on me the day before that agreed upon by me and the Corean envoy for the Tatter’s visit, and made abundant expression of his satisfaction and that of his Government with the manner in which the Corean minister had been received by us. He indicated no desire or intention whatever to control or interfere with the Corean envoy’s action or official reception here, excepting by the implication of the tender of the thanks of China for courtesy toward what she claims to be her vassal.
Therefore as the United States have no privity with the inter-relations of China and Corea, we shall treat both as separate governments customarily represented here by their respective and independent agents.
Upon the appointed day, Mr. Pak Chung Yang, with his secretaries and suite, was received by me at this Department and the delivery of his credentials arranged for the 17th instant, when, at 11 o’clock, the Corean envoy was presented by me to the President, and the customary ceremonial addresses were made.
I inclose for your information copies of the correspondence* on the subject exchanged with the Corean and Chinese envoys, as well as of the address of the Corean minister and the President’s reply, adding a printed copy of the recently issued diplomatic list of this Department, showing the relative position of Mr. Pak with regard to precedence.
A diplomatic dinner was given by the President on the 19th instant, after the Corean minister’s presentation, but as the invitations had been issued some time before his arrival in the United States, Mr. Pak’s name was necessarily omitted. I mention this for your information merely, so that in the event of any reference being made to this omission by the Corean foreign office in conversation with you, you may understand that no possible significance can attach to the fact.
I am, etc.,