Earl Granville to Sir T. Wade.

(No. 7. Extender)
Foreign Office, January 20, 1881

Sir,

INFORMATION to which they are disposed to give credence has recently been submitted to the notice of Her Majesty’s Government, to the effect that a disposition has of late manifested itself in the Corea which encourages the hope that a Mission with the object of concluding a Treaty between that country and Great Britain would be favourably received there and its purpose successfully attained.
I have accordingly to request that you will inquire of the Chinese Government whether they are in a position to confirm the assurances above referred to; and will also sound them as to the extent to which their good offices may be relied upon by Her Majesty’s Government in the event of a dispatch of such a Mission to Corea towards bringing the negotiations to a fortunate issue.

I am, &.
(Signed) GRANVILLE