No. 439.
Mr. Sickels to Mr. Payson.
Consulate
of the United States of America,
Bangkok, Siam, October 6, 1879.
(Received November 28.)
No. 121.]Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith copy of
an address prepared by the American residents, on the occasion of the
birthday of the King, for presentation to His Majesty. It was extensively
signed and sent to the consulate to be forwarded.
As a literary effort this document was not a particularly elegant specimen,
but as it was perfectly respectful, and, I had reason to believe, tolerably
sincere, I sent it in through the proper channels.
I have further the honor to inclose originals of His Majesty’s reply to the
address of the citizens, and to my own inclosing it.
I have, &c.,
DAVID B. SICKELS,
United States
Consul.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 121.]
Congratulatory address to the King.
We, the undersigned citizens of the United States residing in Siam, beg
leave to present to His Majesty the Supreme King of Siam our
congratulations on this anniversary of His Majesty’s birthday, and to
offer our best wishes for his continued health and happiness and the
prosperity of his kingdom.
We congratulate Your Majesty on the friendship and good will of all other
nations for the Kingdom of Siam, and for the progress of civilization
and improvement in this kingdom. Roads and bridges have been built to
facilitate travel. Ships and steamboats have been constructed for
navigating the rivers and surrounding waters. Canals have been dug for
bringing timber from the forests and opening new regions of the country
for cultivation. Elegant palaces have been erected for Your Majesty and
the nobility. Improved buildings have been made for the market-places
and the dwellings of the people, and a general air of progress apparent
to recent visitors to Siam and especially to the older residents of the
country.
With respectful deference we beg to suggest to Your Majesty that still
higher improvements, and a pledge of still greater prosperity to Siam,
might be secured by abolishing the gambling stalls, the spirit-shops,
and the sale of opium.
We renew our congratulations for Your Majesty’s good health, wise
government, and prosperous reign, and pledge our prayers for your
continued happiness, and growing kingdom.
(Signed by William Dean and twenty-eight others.)
[Page 932]
[Inclosure 2 in No.
121.—Translation.]
To David B. Sickels,
United States Consul:
Your letter of congratulations, and also inclosing the congratulations of
the American citizens residing in Siam, we have received with pleasure.
The answer to the congratulations of the American citizens we inclose in
this cover also.
We now beg to answer you personally. In your letter you show your good
will to us personally, and also invoke a blessing for our future
prosperity. We thank you very much, and hope that you will remain in
Bangkok many more years, far beyond the time you yourself have set to
leave. We invoke a blessing for your future prosperity in all
things.
[Inclosure 3 in No.
121.—Translation.]
To the American citizens who reside in
Siam:
You have been the source of joy to us on account of your words of
encouragement in regard to the prosperity of Siam, and that you believe
that we will administer the affairs of the nation so as to insure its
prosperity. Your congratulations give me great pleasure. We beg to
inform you that ever since we attained to the kingdom we have had the
best interests of Siam constantly in mind, which is a country built up
by the strength of our ancestors. We have also had it as our constant
care to preserve those treaty relations with foreign powers which our
father in his wisdom entered into. We hope to have the treaty relations
constantly prosper.
In regard to those things which you advise me are evils to the people, we
beg to inform you that we have seen those evils and think continually
that we may be able to change them. It is a work which must be done, but
cannot yet be done, and must be postponed, but, though postponed, we are
thinking constantly that these evils are a matter which we shall
regulate in future.
We thank you all that you have thought of the affairs of our country, and
have thought of ourself, also invoking a blessing upon us. We pray that
the thing which is great in the universe will grant you all to live in
our country in peace and prosperity.
Throne Barone, Aracba satis
Moholan, Sunday, 6 of waxing moon, 11th month, year of Rallit, 1st of
the decade, 1241 of civil era, corresponding to September 21,
1879, of Christian era.
