Despatches from U.S. Ministers to Korea, 1883-1905

This collection comprises twenty-two volumes that consist, for the most part, of despatches addressed to the State Department by American diplomatic representatives to Korea between March 13, 1883, and December 6, 1905. The initial part of the collection reproduces selected pages from several State Department registers of correspondence which, taken as a unit, comprise a register of despatches from Korea during this period.

The despatches are usually accompanied by enclosures. Some of the enclosures are original notes to the American representatives from officials of the Korean foreign ministry; others were written by American private citizens, both visitors and expatriates. A considerable number of enclosures are copies of communications sent by American representatives to Korean officials. Pamphlets, newspaper clippings, and other printed matter are also enclosed.

Apart from numbered despatches and enclosures, these volumes also contain unnumbered letters, some of which are marked “Private” or “Confidential.” Unnumbered or private letters, more informal than despatches, report official matters requiring secrecy or not fully covered in the despatches, or they may convey personal news, acknowledgments of appointment or recall, announcements of arrival or departure, and statements of official expenses.