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286 authorities and to the inhabitants, that the intercourse with foreigners could offer only advantages, and certainly not be fraught with danger to either of them. I am glad to have learned, wherever we have come in contact with the people, that the great majority of the latter at least, have expressed the wish to see the system of seclusion cease and abolished, and I have the satisfaction to know that this general desire has been greatly increased and promoted by the favorable impression we have left behind everywhere. It is the more to be regretted that the Government acts thus against the express and well-known wishes of the people, as an opportunity like the present is not likely to offer a second time, for the time will arrive when it will have to grant what is now asked in a friendly way, either with a good or bad grace. And I cannot help considering that your Government does not act politically wise in the way it does. If I could have returned with the news that it agreed to throw this country open to foreigners and to the trade of the world, everybody would have rejoiced at the liberal spirit of the Corean authorities, and in all probability the evil consequences would have been avoided which the unwarrantable murder of the missionaries will now inevitably bring down upon them. Out of regard to the Government, and in proof of my good-will, I have hitherto abstained from alluding to this subject, and I do so now merely to show you that we are not quite so ignorant abroad of what