[KS] Re: Seeking information

[Thomas Duvernay]

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Original message:
=======================================================
Dear all,

I came across the following remarks by the ex-U.S.President
Reagan, which he said that it was a part of greeting from Korean
government to American emissaries at the initial contact between
the two countries during the Chosun dynasty.

"Of what country are you? Are you well after your journey of ten
thousand li through winds and waves? Is it your plan to barter
merchandise? Or do you rather wish to pass by to other places and
so return to your native land? All under heaven are of one original
nature. Clothes and hats are very different. And language is not the
same. Yet, they can treat each other with mutual friendship. What
your wish is, please make known."

Could anyone provide information about the source of the above?
Thank you,

Junghee Chang


Response:
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It's similar, in a way, to the 'greeting' given to the US (Commander R.
W.
Shufeldt) in 1867 by a Korean official.  Here is the text below, as it
was
written in the 1867 "Report of the Secretary of the Navy".

Thomas
http://www.shinmiyangyo.org/

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  Memorandum of  an interview  between Commander  R. W. Shufeldt,  of
the
United States steamer  Wachusett, and a Corean  official from the
district
city of Hae-Chow-Poo, on the Tai-tong river.

  At Neu-to ISLAND,
  January 29, 1867.

  Commander Shufeldt.  Where are  you from and  on what  business have
you
come?

  Corean official.  My name  is Le-Ke-Yung;  I reside  in the  district
of
Hae-Chow, at Kee-Chen (village;) where  I am the ruler; I have come to
see
your ship.

  Commander Shufeldt. This vessel came here January 24th. and sent a
letter
by  the  people  of  Neu-to  island  to  the officer  of 
Chang-Yuen-Heen,
accompanied with a communication to  the King from which no answer has
yet
been received. Do you know anything about this?

  Corean. I  know nothing  about it  whatever. On  what business  have
you
come?

  Commander  Shufeldt. An  American vessel  was  wrecked in  the
Ping-Yang
river in the  month of September, and it is  reported that this vessel
was
burned  and all  on board  put to  death by  the Coreans.  I have  come
to
investigate this matter.  and have sent a despatch  to the King to
inquire
whether the  report is true  of false, and  whether any of  the people
are
still living.

  Corean. How many  li is it to  your country? As it  does not become
your
excellency to remain long at  this place, I earnestly hope you will
depart
speedily and return to your own country.

  Commander  Shufeldt. The  ship  is merely  a  waiting an  answer  to
the
despatch.

  Corean. You ought not to delay, but leave at once.

  Commander Shufeldt.  Have you  heard or do  you know  anything about
the
ship that was wrecked?

  Corean.  I  know  nothing  about  it  whatever.  I  only hope  you 
will
immediately leave and return to your native country.


  Commander Shufeldt. I an auxious to depart speedily, but I wish first
to
ascertain the  truth about  the ship  wrecked in  the Ping-Yang  river.
No
answer has yet been received.

  Corean. I  do not  know whether  this report  is true  or false.  Do
not
delay; but  leave at once;  by so  doing your honorable  country will
have
great praise.

  Commander Shufeldt. What objection can  there be to our waiting? If I
am
obliged to leave without an answer to my despatch, many more armed
vessels
will return to your country.

  Corean. To return with many armed vessels would be exceedingly unjust
To
return to your own country would be praiseworthy.

  Commander  Shufeldt. To  allow your  country to  murder our  men
without
cause or provocation cannot be passed over uninvestigated.

  Corean. I do not know anything about this business.

  Commander Shufeldt. If  you know nothing, I have  nothing more to say
to
you.