CORRESPONDENCE IN REFERENCE TO SIAM. 193 



time during the following summer, not only that I might have the honor of paying my personal 

 and official respects to his Majesty the First King and to your highness, but to offer in a 

 becoming manner the friendly wishes of my government for the prosperity of the Siamese 

 kingdom, and to invite a friendly reciprocity of social and commercial intercourse. 



I am the more anxious to visit Siam, and to make the acquaintance of your royal highness, 

 as I have in my squadron many rare modern inventions, which I should be most happy to exhibit 

 to one so highly gifted as your highness is with scientific knowledge. 



With the most profound respect, I subscribe myself your most obedient servant, 



M. C. PERRY, 

 Commander-in-chief U. S. naval forces, East India, China, and Japan seas. 

 His Royal Highness Phar Pen Clow Chow You Hou, 



Maha Uperat of the Kingdom of Siam, &c, &c, &c. 



The Second King of Siam to Commodore Perry. 



Northern Royal or Second King's Palace, 



Bangkok, Siam, March, 1854. 

 Respected Sir : I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated Macao, 

 December 15, 1853. 



I have given due attention to its contents, which gave much pleasure. I have acquainted 

 his Majesty, my much esteemed royal elder brother Somdet Phoa Paramende Maha Morykeet, 

 the supreme King of Siam, with the substance of your communication. His Majesty, on being 

 informed of it, was pleased and gratified that you, being a distinguished officer of the United 

 States, having entire control of affairs in India, should think of those countries which long 

 have been distinguished friends. His Majesty also thanks you for being so good as to send a 

 communication, informing us of your desire to visit Siam ; you say that, should you be able, 

 you would be happy to visit Siam. Upon the present occasion you have come from the United 

 States on account of the state of affairs in Japan and China ; but China being now in a disturbed 

 state, you must probably be engaged in looking after the interests of the merchants of the 

 United States, who are in all parts of China, and must have a great deal to attend to. If you 

 should find it consistent to visit Siam or not, let it be as you please. Should you decide to 

 come, please write to His Excellency Chau Phaya Phraklang, minister for foreign affairs, a 

 month or two previous to your coming, and inform him of the time of your arrival here, and 

 how many vessels and men will accompany you, as his excellency is the proper person to receive 

 foreign visitors. He will arrange to receive you in a proper manner. 

 I remain, respectfully yours, 



PHAR PEN CLOW CHOW YOU HOU, 



Second King of Siam, &c, <&c, &c. 

 His Excellency M. C. Perry, 



Commander-in-chief U. S. naval forces, East India, China, and Japan seas. 



25 s 



