CORRESPONDENCE IN REFERENCE TO SUM. 195 



If the King of Siam determines on despatching one of his ships, whether on a voyage for 

 observation or commerce, or both, it will give me pleasure to offer my services in any possible 

 way to facilitate so desirable an object. 



You will, my dear sirs, readily understand the motives which actuate me in this delicate 

 business, and whilst you are acting seemingly to effect some object desirable to your own wishes, 

 you may be the means of obtaining such information as will make a visit of mine of great 

 advantage to both nations. 



If it were possible to bring about an invitation from the King that I should visit Siam, nego- 

 tiations would follow as a matter of course. 



I have sent a copy of this letter to each of you gentlemen, and by different mails, in the 

 possibility of the miscarriage of one of them. 

 Very respectfully, 



M. C. PERRY, 

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



Commodore Perry to Mr. McLane. 



Singapore, September 19, 1854. 



My Dear Mr. McLane: On arrival at this place I was informed by our consul that a Siamese 

 messenger from the king had been waiting some time here to see me. 



I have this moment parted with him, and he informs me that the king was much pleased 

 with the intelligence that I contemplated visiting Siam, and had erected a building for my 

 reception, and made many other preparations to do me all honor ; that on such occasion, or 

 rather the occasion of my visit, he would depart from the usual court etiquette, and receive me 

 in person, &c, &c. 



An hour before my interview with the Siamese messenger I had held a long conversation with 

 Colonel' Butterworth, the governor of Singapore, who had received a letter from the king of 

 Siam, an old correspondent of his, in which the king refers to me, and remarks that he was 

 anxiously awaiting my arrival ; another letter received by the governor from the same source 

 he had forwarded to Sir John Bowring, which he will doubtless show you. 



I give the above for what it is worth. All these preparations may possibly be intended 

 merely as a blind to conceal a predetermined intention of conceding nothing in the way of 

 improving the character of the existing treaty with the United States. 



As Colonel Butterworth very justly remarked, the Siamese princes, like all eastern potentates, 



are full of diplomatic duplicity; nevertheless, I should have much liked to have had a bout with 



his Siamese Majesty. 



Most respectfully and truly yours, 



M. C. PERRY. 



His excellency R. M. McLane, 



United States Commissioner to China. 



