COREENNES_KORTRIG STACK007

Text :

After the reconnaissance mission, the fleet regrouped and moved into action. On October 14,
an expeditionary force gathered at Kak-Kodji, just off Kanghwado island. The inhabitants took
flight. On the 16th, the city of Kanghwa was occupied. Its inhabitants took flight. On the 18th,
the expedition leader received a missive from the Regent of Korea:

What shall we obey? Justice, with no restriction. The man who violates it merits no pardon.
I conclude that one must eliminate whoever denies it, decapitate ahoever violates it.

"For all time, relations with neighbors and assistance to travelers have been traditional. In our
kingdom we show still more thoughtfulness and goodwill. It often happens that navigators
anoring the location and name of the country touch on our coasts. We ask them if they come
with peaceful intentions; we give foodstuffs to those who are hungry, clothing to those who are naked,
and we care for the sick. Such is the rule which has always been followed in our kingdom, suffering
no infraction. Thus in the eyes of all the world, Korea is the kingdom of justice and civilization. But
if there are men who come to seduce our subjects, entering secretly, changing their clothing and
studying our language, men who demoralize our people and upset our customs, then the world's
ancient law holds that they should be put'to death. Such is the rule for all kingdoms, for all empires.
Why then do you lake offense if we have observed it? is it not sufficient that we do not ask you the
reasons which have brought you here from faraway lands?"

"You establish yourselves upon our soil as if it were yours, and thereby you violate reason
abominably. When your ships went up the imperial river a short time ago they were but two;
the men upon them were no more than a thousand. If we had wished to destroy them, had
We not arms? But through goodwill and because of the respect due to strangers, we did not
suffer anyone to do them harm or to show them hostility.