No. 309.
Mr. Pak Chung
Yang to Mr. Bayard.
[Translation.]
Washington, January 10,
1888. (Received January 10.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I have
been appointed His Corean Majesty’s envoy extraordinary and minister
plenipotentiary, and that I am prepared to enter upon the discharge of
my duties as soon as it may please the President to grant me an audience
and receive my credentials. I have, therefore, the honor to solicit an
interview with you for that purpose.
With the assurance of my highest consideration,
I remain, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
translation of credentials.
The King of great Chosen makes’ a communication to the President of
great America:
As I concluded the first treaty with your honorable country with
which the friendship has ever since been close, and as it is some
years since an embassy was sent to America, now to keep the intimacy
and to strengthen and increase our commercial relations between the
two countries permanent and without defect, I especially appoint the
favorite and confidential official, Pak Chung Yang; who is
vice-president of the home office and of second rank, to be
accredited plenipotentiary to your honorable country, to reside at
the capital to manage diplomatic affairs. I know that this official
is loyal, careful, and discreet, and to be intrusted with this
position. In view of this I have intrusted this communication to the
envoy, to be presented in person.
Sincerely hoping the President will treat him with cordiality and
give full faith and credit to what he may say in behalf of this
court and also permit him on occasions to have interviews in order
to deliver my assurances of true friendship, thereby insuring mutual
happiness;
Hoping endless bliss for the President;
Beginning of the present dynasty of Cho-sun 496 years and of the
present reign twenty-fourth year, eighth moon, seventh day. Signed
at the palace of King Pak in Seoul, with seal.
Countersigned by the president of the foreign office (Cho Pyong-Sik),
with seal.
