Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-10-31

articie from inc singapore Chronic'e VI "S w"
Of June, which contains, We believe. the only
provisions Of the treaty between our government
and that Of Siam. recently negotiated by Mr.
Roberts, that has transpired. Intact it gives,
we have reason to believe, all the information
respecting it. which the public can be anxious
to know. The writer was correspondent OF
the Misunderstanding on the spot where the
treaty was made-and evidently we'll acquain'
ted with the whole matter. From his account
of it, it is but too evident that our Diplomatic
Agent was ut.generallej by the Siamese Min.
lister, or Praklang, especially in relation to the
personal responsibility Of debtors; and the con.
ISOLATION with which he 10 said to have hushed his
regrets does not seem to be very adequate to
-spair the obvious error he committed.
N. y Com.
The American sloop Of war Peacock, Capt
ID. Geisepser, arrised at the Bar about the lat,
ter part of February last, having on board Ed
mund Roberts, Esq "a Envoy from President
Jackson TO Cochin China and Siam. Previous
10 the vessels arrival at Siam, the Embassy had
been at one uf the out ports Of Cochin China,
but could accomplish nothing. They were,
however, well received at siam; two large war
boats were sent outside the bar. to bring Mr..
Roberts 10 Bankuk. the Peacock being too deep
10 mass over it. The party that came up con-
sisted of eleven persons: Mr. Roberts, Captain
Geise nger, the Ductor. Mr.. Morrison, jr., OF
Canton, as Private Secretary and Chinese trans
Istor, two or three Lieutenants, and the residue
Midshpmen. They occupied one side OF the
factory built for foreigners.
SIR Roberts had his letter from the Presi-
den, Of the United States To the King Of
Siau: ii vas open, and having no large seal on
il. the Sianese could scarcely believe it to be a
genuine letter from the President; but the Pea
cock laying outside of the bar m,th 200 white
men Oh board was reality, therefore all must
be real.
Mr. Roberts proposed 70 furm Treaty Of
friendship aud cummsrGe, at which the Slamcse
male 70 objections; ne endeavored, however, to
make q mare advantageous one than the English
did bur that the Siamese said, could not be
done; they would agree to allow the Americans
10 trade on the same foonng as the English, but
more could not be granted After seine deay
and trouble, Treaty was drawn up, after the
Siamese fashion; but then the light tor altera.
tions, amendment. &c Mr. Roberts had on au-
dience of his Majesty and only one. The
treaty is written in the Siamese, Chinese. aud
Portuguese languages, anu commences IN the
same stvle as the English one, with "Somdet
Phra Pattie Chan Va Hua," &c, which Is trans
lated in the Treaty." the Great and masnlh-
cent Krac,'' Instead OF the literal gpd like titles
which are alike applied 10 their God and their
King Mr.. Roberts was very ANXIOUS 10 90
tain the Treaty sealed in duplicate, IN order 70
forward one copy to the United states from
Batavia ,r elsewhere. aud after having gone to
fhraa
old Praklang would not be induced To sign the
Duplicate, being fearful, it is presumed, that
Mr.. Roberts only wanted to sell the duplicate to
some other State! so that Mr.. r. went away
With only one copy sealed. The Prak'ang was
reasoned with, and told that were he to sign
a hundred copies No harm could befail the coun-
try all be,ns of the same tenor aud dates but II
was Of no avail. 49,,
The presents given BY Mr.. Roberts did not
nroducr The desired effect, though valuable IN
themselves. Indeed, to a Court, like Sam, they
were rendered in some sense valueless. through
their ignorance. The presents to the King con-
sisted of pair or two Of beautiful watches set
with pearls OF some value, some silver baskets
and .Oandance Of China silks.-To the Praklang
also Mr. Roberts gave presents TO sood amount
bu, he did not visit any OF the inferior Princes
The amount Of the presents might be about 1000
10 $500 doiiars, while the returns consisted VI
little sugar, stlclac, pepper hn' gamoouge' oen-
jamn, Anguella woud. Sapan wood, and inferior
Csraamons,- whole OF which might be worth
1000 or 100 dollars The Siamese knew the
presents we're bought in China, which did not
please them much, and II IS SAID, that al one TINE
they we're not disposed 10 accept them. The
original presents intended for he Cochin Chinese
and Siarresc Courts were sent out from America
in serarate vessel, bet she had not arrived 10
Chiua IRE the, Peacock left. But this the Siamese
woulu not credit.
Nj. Roberts inserted one article in the Urea.
ty to me effect that if . citizen OF the United
S,a,cs contracted debts in Siam and was unable
70 DAY them the creditors were 10 take whatever
he possessed, aud then to discharge him;-thes
are not to deran a citizen in Siam contrary to
his inclination, or something to that effect. -
this the Siamese agreed to, provided similar
clause Sas inserted in their favor, and the article
at present, stands thus: IL Siamese buy from a
cirzeu Of the United States, or owes him money,
ne mu., pay the citizen Of the United States, if be
.,,.s.s Tho means hui if ne has not. the citi