The letter of the Emperor of Korea to the President of the United States makes interesting reading:

   "Ever since 1883 the United States and Korea have been in
   friendly treaty relations. Korea has received many proofs of the
   good will and the sympathy of the American Government and people.
   The American Representatives have always shown themselves to be
   in sympathy with the welfare and progress of Korea. Many teachers
   have been sent from America who have done much for the uplift of
   our people.

THE NEW ERA

Chemulpo has but few natural aptitudes beyond its being situated at the mouth of the river Han, which, winding like a snake, passes close to Seoul, the capital of the kingdom; and yet, partly because of its proximity to the capital, the distance by road being twenty-five miles, and partly owing to the fact that it is never ice-bound in winter, the town has made wonderful strides. As late as 1883 there were only one or two fishermen's huts along the bay, but in 1892 the settlement contained a score of Europeans, over 2800 Japanese souls, and 1000 Chinese, besides quite a respectable-sized native conglomeration of houses and huts.

Cc:Chapter 2

Nagasaka was the first foreign Protestant missionary to come to Korea. He arrived from Japan in 1883 and distributed Bibles in Busan. The following year the first American missionaries arrived.

Nagasaka

Chemulpo, an important and thriving port in Kyong-Kwi Province, on an estuary of the Han River overlooking the Yellow Sea, on the W. coast in lat. 37° 28' 30" N. and long. 126° 37' E. of Greenwich, is known for its fine climate, splendid situation, sheltered harbor, and charming sea views. Until it was open to foreign trade (in 1883) by the treaty with Japan, it was an insignificant fishing-village; to-day upward of 3000 steamships and sailing vessels anchor in its harbor each year, and its annual trade amounts to 25 million yen -- two thirds of which are imports. It is often referred to as the Yokohama of Korea, and the progressiveness of its merchants (the largest importing and exporting house is that of W. D. Townsend, of Boston, U.S.A.) warrants the name.

Japanese Empire Including Korea: Environs of Seoul