The year was 1889, a time when communication across continents was a matter of weeks, if not months. A particularly noteworthy envelope from this era has been discovered, addressed to a Dr. John G. Lee, who is believed to have been serving in the military of His Majesty in Seoul, Korea. The envelope, sized 143mm x 181mm, carries the rich history of a time when Korea was on the cusp of great turmoil.
Sent from Philadelphia, the oldest daily newspaper in America, “The North American,” had dispatched this correspondence, franked with two U.S. five-cent stamps, which began its journey on August 9, 1889. The letter made its way across the United States, with a cancellation from San Francisco dated August 14, before crossing the Pacific Ocean to Yokohama, Japan, where it was stamped on September 8. It continued to Nagasaki, receiving another postmark on September 13, and finally arrived in Inchun, Korea, on September 20, 1889.
This envelope could have been an ordinary postal matter, but it carries with it the echoes of significant historical events. Dr. John G. Lee is believed to have been part of a group of American military instructors, including General William Dye, who entered the Korean Empire on April 28, 1888. These instructors were pivotal in training the guards at Gyeongbokgung Palace during a period of increasing Japanese influence and aggression.
The Korean Postal Service chronicles this arrival in the 25th year of King Gojong’s reign, a prelude to the tragic Eulmi Incident of 1895. This was when Empress Myeongseong was assassinated by Japanese soldiers and diplomats, an act that sparked outrage and signaled a dark chapter in the history of Korea-Japan relations.
The envelope, therefore, is not merely a piece of postal history; it is a silent witness to the presence of American military personnel in Korea during a time of significant political and military upheaval. It represents the complex interplay of international relations and the pivotal roles played by individuals such as Dr. Lee and General Dye during critical moments in Korean history.
