Minister King to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Bangkok, February 7,
1906.
No. 259.]
Sir: In view of the disturbed conditions in
China and the recent unfortunate incident at Lien Chow, I have thought
the following would be of interest to the department.
His Royal Highness Prince Maha Vajiravudh, the Crown Prince of Siam, has
just returned from an extended trip of three months’ duration throughout
the entire northern portion of Siam. He stopped a few days at Chiengmai,
the principal city of the north, and the center of the disturbed
district at the time of the insurrection in 1902. Here he gave a
considerable portion of his time to a careful and interested inspection
of the American Presbyterian Mission and its work, kindly consented to
lay the corner stone of their new school building, and on his departure
gave a name to the new school. I inclose a translation of the address
made by His Royal Highness at the laying of the corner stone and a copy
of the English note which was handed to Mr. Harris, the head master of
the institution, on the evening before the prince left Chiengmai.
The prince very graciously gave permission to use this address and note
if the friends of the work so desired.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure—Translation.]
Address of Grown Prince Maha
Vajiravudh.
Ladies and Gentlemen: I have listened with
great pleasure to the complimentary remarks which have just been
made. I regard them as a clear and indisputable evidence of your
friendship for the Kingdom of Siam. While on my visit to the United
States the American people were pleased to give me a most
enthusiastic welcome. I may mention particularly the sumptuous
banquet with which your board of foreign missions honored me. I then
clearly perceived that the American people received me whole
heartedly and not perfunctorily. This also made it evident to me
that the American people have sincere friendship for the Kingdom of
Siam. Of this fact I was profoundly convinced, and I certainly shall
not soon forget my visit to the United States.
This being so, I feel impelled to reciprocate this kindness to the
full extent of my ability. As my royal grandfather and my royal
father have befriended the Christian missionaries, so I trust that
I, too, shall have the opportunity on proper occasions to assist
them to the limit of my power.
Your invitation to me to lay the corner stone of your new school
building on this occasion is another evidence of your friendship and
good will toward Siam. I have full confidence that you will make
every endeavor to teach the students to use their knowledge for the
welfare of their country. Therefore, I take great pleasure in
complying with your request, and I invoke a rich blessing on this
new institution. May it prosper and may it fulfill the highest
expectations of its founders.
[Page 1340]
[Inclosure 2.]
Note of the Crown Prince.
Chiengmai, January 2,
1906.
I have great pleasure in naming the new school, the foundation stone
of which I have just laid, as follows: “The Prince Royal’s College.”
May this school, which I have so named, be prosperous and realize
all that its wellwishers hope for. May it long flourish and remain a
worthy monument of the American Presbyterian Mission of Chiengmai.
This is the wish of their sincere friend.
