194 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



Commodore Parry to Messrs. 



U. S. Flag Ship Mississippi, 



Macao, October 20, 1853. 



Dear Sirs : Our friend, the Kev. Dr. ■, of Canton, informs me of his having written to 



you with reference to a contemplated visit of mine to Siam, after I shall have accomplished my 

 Japan mission. 



He has doubtless intimated to you my desire to obtain some accurate information as to the 

 probability of a favorable reception by the King of Siam of any propositions I might make for 

 modifying and enlarging the stipulations of the present treaty between the United States and 

 that kingdom, and of inducing the king to send one of his finest ships to the United States in 

 charge of some of the most intelligent of his officers, that they might examine into our institu- 

 tions, religious, civil, military, and commercial, and take back with them an account of what 

 they shall have seen, as furnishing evidence of the advantages that Siam would derive from a 

 free and mutually liberal intercourse with us. 



I am well aware of the impolicy of taking any steps in this business until I can learn of cer- 

 tainty whether the king and his advisers would receive my propositions with favor, and be 

 disposed to enter into friendly negotiations. 



Another failure following that of Mr. Ballestier would put our relations on a worse footing 

 than they now are, and this is the object of my addressing myself to you to ask, as a particular 

 favor, that you would, if it be at all practicable, ascertain the feelings and disposition of the 

 king and his councillors with respect to any diplomatic visit I might make to Bangkok. 



These enquiries should be made as if emanating directly from yourselves, as Americans and 

 well wishers of a more friendly understanding between the two countries. You might say that 

 you have been credibly informed that Commodore Perry has been charged with full powers to 

 negotiate with Japan, Siam, Cochin China, and other eastern nations, but he is not disposed to 

 make any advances towards Siam until he is well assured that such friendly demonstrations 

 would be met in the same frank and liberal spirit ; that the United States, as a nation, is very 

 powerful, and any rejection of proffers made by an accredited ambassador of that country would, 

 if treated coolly, give great offence ; that a reciprocal treaty with a nation of such vast com- 

 mercial resources must result to the advantage of the weaker power, and if Commodore Perry 

 could have sufficient proof from any authentic source that a visit from him, with one or more 

 of the splendid steam frigates he has under his command, would be favorably received, he 

 would doubtless go to Siam, and pay his respects to the king. 



When at Galle, in Ceylon, in March last, I saw a Siamese sloop-of-war at that port, and was 

 visited by her captain and some Buddhist priests, who were on a pilgrimage to a temple near 

 by, I sent the Second King of Siam, the one who speaks English so well, a trifling present ; 

 since then, a Siamese vessel at Whampoa has, at the request of her captain, been assisted by 

 one of my ships. These little acts are proofs of our friendly disposition towards the Siamese, 

 and I feel assured that if the king would send one of his ships, whether with cargo or not, 

 to the United States, the result would be most gratifying to him. 



The Sultan of Muscat sent some years ago a sloop-of-war to our country, and her officers were 

 treated with great kindness and distinction ; the same civilities were extended to an officer sent 

 a short time after by the Sultan of Turkey to the United States. 



