INTERVIEW WITH A SIAMESE OFFICER. 



121 



board the Mississippi the following day, where he was received with due honors. He was 

 accompanied by two of the Buddhist priests who had come from Siam in his vessel on a 

 pilgrimage to the famous temple. It was learned, on inquiry, that Prince Phar-Pen-Clow- 

 Chow-You-Hon, who was so civil to Mr. Roberts and the officers of the Peacock on the occasion 



Buddhist Temple, near Point de Galle, Ceylon. 



of their visit to Siam, in 1836, was the second in rank in his kingdom, or second king, as it is 

 termed. The Commodore, therefore, being desirous of renewing the good understanding which 

 formerly subsisted between him and our officers, which, however^ had been somewhat disturbed 

 by the visit of Mr. Ballastier, sent him a beautiful pistol, of Coifs patent, and addressed to him 

 the following letter : 



United States Ship Mississippi. 

 Point de Galle, Island of Ceylon, March 14, 1853. 



Most Exalted Pri\ce : I have been most happy to meet at this port a vessel-of-war belong- 

 ing to the kingdom of Siam, one of beautiful form and construction, and commanded by an 

 officer of skill and merit. 



In remembrance of the kindness you extended to the late Mr. Roberts and the officers of the 

 United States ship Peacock, in ISSR, I beg your acceptance of a curious pistol which has been 

 entrusted to my charge, to be presented to some high functionary who has sufficient acquaintance 

 with the arts to understand its mechanism and use. 

 16 J 



