Mr. Heard to Mr.
Gresham.
No. 2.]
Legation of the
United States,
Seoul,
Korea, April 6, 1893. (Received May
9.)
Sir: Continuing my dispatch of April 4, I have now
the honor to inform you that the followers of Confucius in Seoul addressed a
memorial to His Majesty on that day setting forth that the Tong Hâk
professed false doctrines which were corrupting the people, and asking that
they might be compelled to return to the right path or be utterly
exterminated. It was known that such a petition was in preparation, and some
anxiety was felt lest the opportunity might be taken while attacking the
Eastern religion to include in their denunciations the people of the Western
religion. But this does not appear to have been the case. His Majesty
replied that the Government had charge of, the affair and would attend to
its duty, admonishing the petitioners at the same time to devote themselves
to the study of the principles they professed.
This seems to end the matter for the moment.
I inclose copy of the letter I addressed to-day to the admiral.
I have, etc.,
[Page 10]
[Inclosure in No. 2.]
Mr. Heard to
Admiral Harmony.
Legation of the United States,
Seoul, Korea, April 6,
1893.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that for
the last two or three months rumors of approaching trouble have been
prevalent.
On the 29th ultimo a body of about forty men, representing a new sect
called the Tong Hâk, or Eastern religion, of which the founder was put
to death as a heretic and a sorcerer by the governor of Cholla Do in
1864, appeared and prostrated themselves before the palace gates. They
wished to present a petition to the King requesting that their founder
might be rehabilitated and the practice of their religion allowed. It
was also supposed to contain a request for the expulsion of foreigners.
His Majesty did not receive the petition, and after two days ordered
them to be gone and abandon their false doctrines. He admonished them to
study the true wisdom of Confucius, and added that if they did not heed
his admonition he would seize and punish them severely.
Many hundreds of this sect are supposed to be in this city; and the
adherents are very numerous in the southern provinces. Great excitement
has prevailed among the natives, in which foreigners have in some
measure shared. Insulting placards have been affixed to the residences
of American missionaries in which they have been ordered to leave the
country before the 22d of April, and there is general uneasiness, which
would be much allayed by the presence at Chemulpo of an American
man-of-war.
I have thought it my duty to make you acquainted with the
circumstances.
I have, etc.,
