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Appendix No. 4.

PORT HAMILTON.

Sir,

348

Inclosure 15 in No. 104.

Foreign Office to Admiralty.

Foreign Office, August 2, 1875. WITH reference to your letter of the 31st ultimo,* I am directed by the Earl of Derby to transmit to you, to be laid before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the accompanying drafts of two instructions, with copies of the telegrams referred to, which his Lordship proposes, with the concurrence of the Lords of the Admiralty, to address to Her Majesty's Minister in Japan, in answer to his telegram of the 20th ultimo,† advising the occupation by a British force of Port Hamilton, on the coast of Corea. I am to request that, should the Lords of the Admiralty concur, you will move their Lordships to instruct Vice-Admiral Ryder in the sense of the inclosed drafts.

Lord Derby would be glad to receive a reply at their Lordships' earliest convenience.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

TENTERDEN.

(Telegraphic.)

Inclosure 16 in No. 104.

Foreign Office to Sir H. Parkes.‡

1875.

"

Foreign Office, August BEFORE replying to your telegram of the 20th ultimo, suggesting occupation of Port Hamilton. Her Majesty's Representatives at Berlin and St. Petersburgh were instructed to ascertain whether the Governments of Germany and Russia had any, and what, designs upon Corea, and they have now replied in the telegrams I have repeated to you.

Her Majesty's ship "Sylvia" will receive orders to proceed to survey the coast of Corea, but Her Majesty's Government cannot authorize the occupation of Port Hamilton without further information than they have before them, though, in case of positive danger to British subjects and commerce, the Admiral may take such steps as appear to him essential for their security.

(Confidential.)

Inclosure 17 in No. 104.

Foreign Office to Sir H. Parkes.§

(Telegraphic.)

و

Foreign Office, August 1875. WITH reference to my telegram of the instant, Her Majesty's Government do not think it desirable to set to other nations the example of occupying places to which Great Britain has no title.

Inclosure 18 in No. 104.

Foreign Office to Lord Odo Russell.

(Telegraphic.)

Foreign Office, July 24, 1875.

TELEGRAM received from Her Majesty's Minister in Japan states that difficulties are arising between that country and Corea; also that German ship of war is surveying coast of latter, with a view to occupation. Ascertain and report, as soon as possible, what is known about this, and what the German Government is doing in the matter.

Inclosure 19 in No. 104.

Lord Odo Russell to Foreign Office.

(Telegraphic.)

Berlin, July 26, 1875.

THE German Government have not received information respecting the difficulties between the Japanese and Corea.

There are no intentions whatever to occupy any portion of those coasts, or to interfere in any way.

Ships of war are probably taking soundings for charts.

(Telegraphic.)

Inclosure 20 in No. 104.

Foreign Office to Mr. Doria.

Foreign Office, July 24, 1875.

TELEGRAM received from Her Majesty's Minister in Japan states that difficulties are arising between that country and Corea. Telegram from Vice-Admiral Ryder adds that Russia is making

* Inclosure 11.

+ Inclosure 8.

This telegram was also sent to Commander-in-chief, China (sec Inclosure 4). This telegram was also sent to Commander-in-chief, China (see Inclosure 3).

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