Jan. 14, 1850.] VOGEt. 15 



as the raw produce from the extensive forests of Siam is very great. 

 He would mention especially gum benzoin and lac. He regretted to 

 find that the Americans had been before us in the trade with Siam. 



In answer to a question put by him, Mr. Parkes stated that accord- 

 ing to the treaty with the King of Siam, the British may travel and 

 trade throughout the country, but they may only settle and purchase 

 land for the distance of 54 miles round Bankok. English ships enter 

 the rivers on the same standing as native craft. The free use of 

 the Christian religion is allowed, together with churches, cemeteries, 

 &c. The former heavy measurement duty is abolished, and one pf 3 

 per cent, on imported goods and 6 or 7 per cent, on exported is sub- 

 stituted. Thus there is every reason to believe that the trade which 

 under the former oppressive duties reached half a million sterling, may 

 yield several millions annually. 



The Meeting was then adjourned till January 14, 1856. 



Fourth Meeting, January 14, 1856. 



Rear-Admiral F. W. BEECHEY, President, in the Chair. 



Sir Thomas Fremantle, Bart. ; John Bowman ; Alexandef 

 Gordon, c.e. ; J. W. Gordon, f.s.a. ; H. S. Montagu, and John 

 Phillips, Esqrs., were elected Fellows. 



The Papers read were — 



1. Translation of Three Letters from Dr. Vogel, addressed to Drt 

 Earth. 



Communicated by the Foreign Office. 



The first letter was dated Jan. 30, 1855, from Gugeba, a town of 

 about 3000 inhabitants; the second, Feb. 16th, from Yakoba; and 

 some of the information they contain has already been published. In 

 them he announces the following provisional determinations of latitudes 

 and longitudes. The former of these may be depended on to 2 minutes, 

 and the latter to 5 minutes. He mentions that a great many observa- 

 tions have been taken, but that they are not yet worked out. 



Lat. N. Long. E. Green. Mag. Var. 

 Yakoba, capital of Bautshi . . 10^ 17' 30" 9^ 28' 0" 



Gujeba 11 29 40 11 39 15^ 14' W. 



Gabbei, frontier town of Borno 11 4 10 11 20 

 Gombd, a town the size of Kuka 10 49 10 16 



Dr. Vogel bears a high tribute to the accuracy of Dr. Barth*s rating. 

 The third letter contains more recent accounts ; it is dated Gomb^^ 



