government of the purpose of Japan in dispatching a mission to Korea, and to ascertain whether its suzerain authority would be infringed by this act. The Chinese government, fearing it might be held responsible for the acts of Korea against the French and Americans, disclaimed any control over that kingdom in its treaty relations, which left Japan free to pursue its plans.
The mission, consisting of a prominent general of the army and Inouye Kaoru, an experienced statesman, was accompanied by two men-of-war and three transports carrying a force of eight hundred marines. The squadron anchored in the same waters as their French and American predecessors. Acting upon the advice of the Chinese government, the Korean king sent a deputation to meet the Japanese commissioners and with little delay a treaty of amity and commerce was signed, February 27, 1876, Korea being unwilling to risk a conflict with its more powerful neighbor by a further refusal of intercourse.
By the terms of the treaty the independence of Korea was recognized, three Korean ports were to be opened to Japanese trade, and a diplomatic minister was to reside at Seoul, the capital. The Korean commissioners during the negotiations made it clear that the treaty was to be confined in its application to Japan and that all Western nations were to be excluded from its benefits. They also pleaded with the Japanese to exert their influence to prevent strangers from a distance attempting to visit their country. The same spirit was shown in the dispatch of the Korean embassy to Tokio after the signature of the treaty. It came, as
