(From ovr ConnesrospEst.]
The Colorado, Monocacy and Palos arrived here this morning, meeting at the rendezvous the Benicia and Alaska. The fleet will sail in a few days for Corea. From this province of Japan sailed, by way of Iki and Tsusimaislands, the two expeditions of Japanese Catholics who, between 1590 and 1610, were banished upon a erusade against Corea, and, through Corea, China, The then emperor, Taikosama, took this means, thinking, if his 150,000 Catho-Ties perished, he would be rid of a faction dangerous to his supremacy; should they succeed, he would push them forward tu conquer China.
The Japanese expedition in three months fought their way to the Ping Yang river, in other words gained two-thirds the length of the Kingdom. But then, abandoned by Taikosama to their fate, they were driven by winter cold and snow, and by the Chinese troops who came to the aid of Corea with matchlocks, of which the latter then knew not the use, to relinquish step by step the ground they had so rapidly won.
The Japanese account (see Klaproth's Glance at Three Kingdoms) aptly quotes after the rain the earth becomes hard."
The wars with Japanese cultivated among the Coreans a warlike spirit which has prompted the exclusive policy that has thus far succeeded so well It is said overtures were made to the Coroan authorities upon the Russian frontier a short time since, for commercial intercourse across the frontier. No answer was made to the Russian communications, at least so it is currently reported. The fail-lure of Admiral Roze, with six French vessels of war, is too fresh to have been forgotten. After two-months stay about the mouth of the Han river, leading tothe Coroan Capital Seoul, he retired, having accomplished really nothing further than a rather detailed reconnaissance. As such it had the value of all pioneer work.
Klaproth thus enumerates Corean productions of a hundred years ago. White Cloth from the fibre of Urtica Japonica, embroidered Tafletas, Cotton cloth, Mats, Rice, Deer and Wolf skins, Swords, Gold, Silver, Iron, Rock Crystal, Salt, Oil, Inks, Fans and a yellow Varnish which resem-
Dies gilding when used. Besides these, small Horses, Fowls with tails 5 fect long, Honey, Fox and Panther skins, Fish, Oysters, Seaweed, Sulphur, Ginseng and other medicinal roots.
Nagasaki, 12th May, 1871.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.