No. 333.
Speech of Prince Krom Mun Narès to the
President, May 6, 1884.
Mr. President: I venture to avail myself of this opportunity on which I have the high honor of presenting my letters of credence as minister for Siam to the Government of the United States, to express to your excellency the earnest wishes of my august sovereign for the health and prosperity of your Excellency, and to assure you of the constant desire of the King of Siam to maintain and strengthen the friendly relations already existing between the two countries, relations upon which so much of the happiness and prosperity of my country and the growth of commercial interests between the two countries depend.
Since the year 1833, when the first treaty was made between the two countries, my Government has always been conscious of the constant and ever-increasing good will shown toward Siam by the United States, and American citizens have always been regarded by Siam with feelings [Page 465] of friendship and esteem, particularly so the American missionaries, who, by their labors, have done so much towards the advancement of education, science, and art in my country.
Siam has been honored from time to time by visits from distinguished American officers and citizens, and particularly so by the recent visit of General Grant, which in itself, although unofficial, has been regarded as a signal proof of friendship.
The appointment by the United States Government of General Halderman as resident minister at Bangkok, being the first minister to reside near my sovereign, has given so much pleasure and satisfaction to my Government that it is by way of reciprocating this act of friendship that I have now the honor to fill the appointment of Siamese minister to this Republic; and in this capacity I humbly beg to assure your Excellency that my chief object will be to study closely His Majesty’s wishes, in the hope that opportunity may be afforded to me to give many proofs of the good will of my sovereign toward this country.
For the reception so graciously accorded to me on my arrival by the representatives of your Excellency, and for the sincere kindness extended to me upon all sides, I beg, in behalf of His Majesty, to tender to your Excellency his most sincere and cordial thanks.