Mr. Low to Mr. Fish
Sir: Our peaceful operations looking to the opening of negotiations with Corea, met with a sudden and unexpected but not unprepared-for check yesterday. As had been previously announced to some officials that came on board, the Monocacy, Palos, and four steam-launches started yesterday to explore the passage north ward between the mainland and the island of Kanghoa. These officials were informed that our intentions were peaceable, and that no one would be harmed or disturbed unless we were attacked; but that if the vessels or their crews were molested in their peaceful operations, force would be met by force. The admiral placed the expedition under the immediate command of Captain Blake of the Alaska, and, with my assent and approval, instructed him to proceed cautiously, avoiding all menace, through the passage before referred to, taking careful soundings, and making such scientific observations as would enable a correct chart of the channel to be made. Captain Blake was further instructed, in case a hostile attack were made, either upon his men or vessels, to reply by force, and destroy, if possible, the places and the people from whom the attack came; that any advantage gained should not be pursued by landing a force; but that he should quietly proceed in the further prosecution of the work in view until he reached the northerly part of the island of Kanghoa, and, if found to be practicable, should go a few miles up the river Séoul, but not attempt to reach the capital. After doing this he was directed to return to the flag-ship and report the result of his proceedings.
The two letters of instructions with reference to communicating with the natives, which had been given him on a previous occasion, Captain Blake still retained for his guidance on the present expedition. I also sent Mr. John P. Cowles, jr., acting assistant secretary of legation, with him as interpreter.
The vessels of the expedition left the anchorage here at 12 o’clock m., and steamed slowly, sounding as they went, without meeting or seeing any signs of hostile resistance until they reached a sharp point in the river indicated on the map as Fort du Conde. This name was given to the point by the French admiral, when he visited the locality in 1866. When the two vessels and three of the launches came directly in range of the two batteries, situated opposite each other, one on either side of the river, the matting and brush which concealed the guns were suddenly thrown aside and a fire opened upon them. I inclose a report from Mr. Cowles, to which I beg to refer for full particulars of the engagement.
The vessels silenced the batteries and drove the enemy from their fortifications. An unfortunate accident to the Monocacy, caused by [Page 122] striking upon a rock, induced Captain Blake to return and report the result before proceeding further.
The Secretary of the Navy will receive a report in detail of the operations of the Navy, to which I am obliged to refer you, if further particulars are desired.
That the attack was unprovoked and wanton, and without the slightest shadow of excuse, must be as apparent to you as it is to me; for all our operations hitherto have been conducted with the greatest caution, in the hope that the assurances of our peaceful intentions, which were sent to the court from Peking, supplemented by similar protestations here, and coupled with an absence of all ostentatious show of war, would so fully persuade the government of our good faith that the result aimed at might be accomplished without the use or even the display of force.
The events of yesterday convince me that the government of Corea is determined to resist all innovations and intercourse with all the power at its command, without regard to nationality, or the nature of the demands made; and that all overtures will be treated alike, whether they look to the opening of the country and the residence and trade of foreigners, or whether they are confined, as I have endeavored, to securing humane treatment for our unfortunate countrymen who may be thrown by the perils of the sea upon these shores, whose safety and welfare depend, under present circumstances, upon the magnanimity of this semi-barbarous and hostile race.
The question now is, what is the safe and prudent course to pursue, in view of this temporary check, which the Coreans will undoubtedly construe into a defeat of the “barbarians,” but which, according to the recognized rules of civilized warfare, was a complete victory on the part of the naval forces. In estimating the effect it may exert upon our power and prestige, which will affect the interests of our people in the East, the situation must be viewed from an oriental stand-point, rather than the more advanced one of Christian civilization. If the squadron retires now, the effect upon the minds of the Coreans, and, I fear, upon the Chinese also, will be injurious, if not disastrous, to our future prospects in both countries. Corea will rest firmly in the belief that she is powerful enough to repel any of the western states singly, or even all of them combined; and this opinion will be likely to react upon China, and strengthen the influence of those who insist that it is practicable to drive out by force all the foreign residents. In view of these considerations, I cannot advise the admiral to abandon the field without further attempts at redress for the wrongs and insults which our flag has suffered; at the same, time I am fully impressed as to the inadequacy of the force at his command to carry on offensive operations to conquer this people and compel the government to enter into proper treaty engagements. The configuration of the coast, studded with islands; the shallowness of the rivers; the rise and fall of the tides, which vary from 20 to 40 feet; the rapidity of the currents in the rivers, and in passages between the islands and the mainland; the mountainous and broken character of the country bordering upon the coast and rivers; the distance of the capital and the other principal cities from the navigable waters, present obstacles which are not easy to be overcome without the presence of a considerable land and naval force acting in conjunction.
My own view is that a sufficient force should be sent back to the place where the vessels were attacked yesterday, to take and effectually destroy the fortifications above that place as far as the northerly end of the island of Kang-hoa. This the admiral expects to do, provided he finds [Page 123] his forces are able to do it without incurring too much risk. That would make a virtual, though not declared, blockade of the entrance of the river Seoul, which leads to the capital, which can be kept up until the northern channel is sounded, and will afford active and useful occupation for the vessels of the squadron until the further orders and instructions of the President can be received. It may possibly lead the Corean government to make terms. Of this, however, I am not sanguine.
It is quite impossible to foretell what course events in the future may compel me to pursue. In any case, I shall not lose sight of the main object the Government had in sending me here, and shall endeavor to comply with the spirit as well as the letter of my instructions in the most peaceful and conciliatory manner compatible with the dignity of the Government I represent, and the honor of its flag. I am not unmindful of the fact that the general policy of the Government is peace, and that hostile operations in a distant portion of the world are to be most carefully avoided. But when the representative of the Government, sent upon a peaceful mission in the interest of humanity, is met by uncalled for attack, as has been the case here, any hesitation on my part in sanctioning the seeking of redress for the wrongs and insults which we have suffered might properly be set down as shrinking from a responsibility which I have no right to do, with the vast interests intrusted to my care. The admiral will send a telegram to the Secretary of the Navy, and I shall send a short one referring you to the Navy Department for details.
I have, &c.,