Note 133 — Journaal

“The Coreans had a third of their tribute remitted in 1643 ... and in the following year, when sending home the king’s son, who had gone to Peking to have his title to the crown confirmed, a half was remitted ... Kanghi, Yoongjung, and Kienloong, frequently remitted the tribute, demanding only a tithe, treating the Coreans like Chinese” (Ross, History Corea, bl. 288).

“Since the Tang dynasty overwhelmed Corea, it has had only glimpses of absolute self-government; but, at the same time, it has had only brief intervals when it had not virtual self-government. Its vassalage to the Manchu government, secured at a sacrifice of a few years’ dispeace and slaughter, and of some further years of somewhat severe taxation, has mainly been virtually nominal....a yearly or half-yearly tribute is sent in to Peking, accompanied by a host of merchants, who bring back profits much greater than the amount of the tribute” (Ross, a. v., bl. 365).