The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-11-30
THELAND OF C0REA,
MINISTER FOOTE'S ACCOUNT
or that Interesting Country aud II, P.opis-P.ea'
iIaritiss OF the Inhabltants-Ths hanufae.
turss, Climate, Soil and Produets-rhs
State Of soeIsiy-othsr Points.

State Of soeisiy-0ther Points.
Correspondence Of he Lateligencer.
| WASHINGTON, November 29.-Mr. L. d
Foote, minister to Corea, writing from
Seoul to the State Department gives th'
following interesting facts about Ccrea ane
the Coreans, a'country and people attract
ling much attention Just now by reason o
relations recently established between that
country and this and the present visit !ol
the Corean Ambassadors. Mr.. Foote says:
It is very difficult to give accurate statis-
tics in regard to the history Of Corea. 40
cording TO tradition the kingdom had 0
mythical foundation more than four thou.
sand years ago, when some supernatural
being was found in a sacred place and
made king. For many centudes esubse-
quent to this nothing Is known In regard to
the country. -
His Majesty King Ii Fin, the reigning
sovereign, Is the eighth succession oi
the present line, and the year 1888 Is the
four hundred and ninety.second year ot
this dynasty. - . nv gs,E
At different times the country has been
overrun by China and Japan, and has paid
tribute TO each. Each year an embassy
goes to Pekinswith certain gifts, and briggs
back the Chinese calendar. Toreceive this
calendar Is an evidence OF dependency,
and il 1t is not used 1t is regarded as an act
OF treason. e,
Itis necessary to report to the Chinese
Emperor the accession OF a new king to
the throne, and to obtain his sanction
thereto. +.i 5,iG
Envoys going from Corea to China are
treated as Chinese subjects, and all official
documents from the Corean King to the
Emperor OF China bear the subscription Of
the subject. 4
CHINA AND coREA. ,it 4
For two hundred years, however,
China has carefully avoided compli,
cations with Corea, and has never
materially interfered with her in.
ternal affairs. On more than one occasion
she has dieavowed responsibility for the
overt acts OF the Corean Government.
Since 1886 Corea has enjoyed profound
peace, and 1t has been her policy not to
excite hostilities with her neighbors; to
that end she has prohibited the working
OF gold aud silver mines, lest the discovery
OF these precious metals should attract the
lust OF other nations. Unfortunately her
system OF seclusion has impoverished her
people, and left the country stagnant. Z
The population ia estimated at II COO, 600,
and the number Of houses at l,700, 600.
The Government Is an absolute monarchy,
all power vesting in the sovereign. He
haa Ikraa ,,r;,,,a tp ;utara nr od uiaara uhn
hold their offices for life. There are alao
six heads ol departments, and these with
three ministers constitute the council Of
state. They are required to report the re-
suit Of their work each day to The King In
person.
For this reason officials are
frequently changed that rank may
be conferred. The result Of this
system IL that the people are divided into
parties and bitter partisan spirit Is en-.
gendered, each party seeking to secure the
offices, with their titles and emoluments.
Certain special privileges attach to officials,
such as exemption from arrest, They can
only be summoned by.a writ from the de-
partment OF justice. The Chinese method
Of examination for official promotion pre-
walls. Examinations Of applicants take
place at stated periods, when diplomas, Of
which there are three classes, are conferred
upon the successful candidates. The hol.
ders OF these diplomas are eligible to cor.
responding official positions. ~
INTELLIGENCE.
There are numerous private schools, but
no general school system. Nearly all the
common people can read and write the
Corean language. In this language there
are many simple books, but the learning Of
the country Is the learning OF China, and
the better clas sesarew we'll versed in Chinese
literature.
The titles TO land are derived from the
Government, and are carefully registered
in local Offices; the tenure depends upon
the payment OF taxes, which are levied In
kind and are onerous by reason Of the un-
restrained exactions OF officials. The only
coin OF the country Is the copper cash, FIVE
hundred and twenty-five Of which are
equivalent 10 one Mexican dollar. 4
The roadways are narrow bride paths,
the only wheeled vehicles being two.
wheeled carts, which in some places are
made to transport merchandise. Bulls and
Corean ponies are used as pack animals.
Pelsops Of means and distinction travel on
horseback or in sedan.chairs. Inns are
scarce and incommodious, but the people
are said to be kind and hospitable. Post.
Offices are established in the principal
towns, and at some places on the public
highways the Government maintains sta
tions with posthorses for public use. Ac-
cording to official accounts there are l,SC0,.
900 enrolled militia in the country, but
they arc unaccustomed TO drill and are
without arms.