No. 329.
Mr. Halderman to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Legation of
the United States,
Bangkok,
Siam, September 15, 1884. (Received
Nov. 17.)
No. 118.]
Sir: In my No. 84 of February 23d last, I reported
application in behalf of the American Presbyterian Church to establish a
mission at Lakon.
After sundry promises of His Majesty’s secretary to furnish me copy of the
royal edict, I addressed him in terms of inclosed paper No. 1, of date July
18, 1884.
For answer, I received originals of drafts herewith, numbered 2 and 3. They
may or may not mean protection in the future.
It will be observed that, ostensibly, the power to act has been delegated to
Prince Bijet, the Siamese commissioner to the Laos states, and further, that
if a royal edict as promised has been issued it does not appear herein.
I shall not let the matter rest here, even at the risk of being considered
importunate by the Siamese Government.
It is to be greatly regretted that American Christian missionaries within
this Kingdom and dependencies are not guaranteed protection by treaty
stipulation.
I have, &c.,
[Page 462]
[Inclosure 1 in No. 118.]
Mr. Halderman to
Prince Devawongsa.
Legation of the United States,
Bangkok, Siam, July 18,
1884.
Prince: At a royal audience on 9th April last,
referring to the application of certain American Christian missionaries
for permission to establish a mission, school, and hospital, with
necessary protection, at Lakon, North Siam, presented by me two months
previous, His Majesty was pleased to observe that a royal order granting
the request should be forthwith issued, and that I should be supplied
with a copy thereof.
Presuming that the matter has been overlooked in the press of business, I
beg that you will remind His Majesty that I have received no such order
or copy thereof, and that I await it with great interest for
transmission to the parties concerned, as also to my Government.
With sentiments, &c.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
118.—Translation.]
Prince Devawongsa
to Mr. Halderman.
Pivate Secretary’s
Office, Grand Palace,
Bangkok, September 14, 1884.
Monsieur le Ministre: I have the honor to
inclose for your excellency’s information a copy of the dispatch
received this day from his royal highness Somdetch Krom Phra Bamrap, the
minister of the interior of the North to his royal highness Krom Man
Bijit Prejakorn, the special commissioner for the western Laos States,
under the date of the 9th August, in reference to the establishment of
the missionary school, hospital, &c., at the Nakhon Lampang, or
generally called Lakhon, one of the northwestern Laos States, in terms
of the application of Mr. McGilvary, made through your excellency.
I avail, &c.,
[Inclosure 3 in No.
118.—Translation.]
royal edict.
His royal highness Somdetch Krom Phra Bamrap, minister
of the North, to His Majesty’s younger brother, Prince Krom Mun Bijit
Prejakorn, special commissioner for the Western Laos States.
The American minister has presented a letter to His Most Gracious Majesty
stating that the missionaries (teachers of religion) located at Chengmai
are desirous of purchasing a location to build there on a Christian
school and a hospital for the distribution of medicines and the cure of
diseased persons at Lampang.
His Majesty the King is of opinion that as your royal highness has gone
up to Chengmai to arrange matters, the American minister’s request that
the missionaries be allowed to purchase a location for a Christian
school and for the distribution of medicines should be referred to your
consideration; therefore the substance of the American minister’s letter
is sent for your information.
If your royal highness can see your way clear to arrange the matter
satisfactorily, please do what will be proper under the circumstances so
as in no way to disturb official or friendly relations.
Whatever arrangements your royal highness may effect in the premises, or
whatever obstacles may arise, please send down a full statement.
Given Saturday, 9th lunation, 3d of the waning year
of the monkey, 6th of the decade, 17th of the present reign,
civil era 1246 (i. e. August 9,
1884).
