American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-08-06

ed 9th April for windward, having arrived
from leeward Goth April.
INTERESTING Y1srr TO THE KING OF PERSIA
His inquiries about .1merica Sc. We find in
the last number of the Missionary Herald an
interesting account of the psit of MesSrS. Per-
kius and Stocking to the Shah Of Persia at
Teheran. The following is the description
gwen
"The formality of presentation to the King
is far more simple than was practised in the
time of his predecessor. In a treaty, at the
close of the last war with Russia, it WAS cen
cedcd that Russian Ambassador might sit in
the Shahs presence. The same privilege is
now extended to the ERglish Ambassador
Neither, however, commonly avals himself of
this privilege more than few moments; after
which he resumes a staEoing posture with the
ministers in attendance. And instead of the
long course of bowling, formerly practised in
passing through the court, and approaching
His Majesty, the hand is now simply raised to
the head, with a slight inclination of the body,
on entering his presence.
The King was sitting at the upper cerner
(the corner opposite to the door and near the
window, 'the chief seat in Persian estimation)
ola large room, into which we were ushered
with the simple ceremony above mentioned
We took standing attitude, Il few feet from
the door, by the side Of the Minister Of Foreign
Affairs, whom we had ust visited
The King welcomed us and inquired after
our health. He is fne looking man, new 40
years old, and of remarkably agreeable, unas-
Stunning manners. | have seen no person of
rank in Persia whose appearance is more en-
treiy Invested of ostentation than the Shah's.
His dress was not superior to that Of many of
his courters, nor was it at all peculiar He APP
pears with his crown, bracelets of pearls, &C.,
only on state occasions. And the room where
we were received, though spacious and richly
carpeted, had nothing CT the dazzling fnery
which we often see IN the rooms of Persian
mobiles.
The King inquired ofthe Minister OF Foreign
Affairs whether we really were, in origin, Anne
ricans, appearing to look upon us with no Or
binary interest as the first genuine citizens Of
the New World whom he had ever seen. The
Minister answered in the affirmative, and told
him that he could converse with us directly, as
we knew the native language; on which His
Majesty proceeded TO mako many inquiries re-
speeding our country with entire informality.
The King has good knowledge Of geography
and great taste for the study of it.; and the
task Of oonversing with him was thus render
ed very agreeable, as he readily comprehended
ouc answers to his various questions.
He inquired as to the extent and population
of our country; the number and size of its
cities; the extent of our army and navy; the
number of cur foreign ambassadors; the fact Of
our government being Republican, &C. Sc
He appeared somewhat non-plussed by the fact
that 50 great and fourishing a country has no
king; and on being reminded of our sy stem of
electing chief magistrates, of which he before
knew something, he remarked that it was rath-
er a queer idea that man, after being king
four years, shoald then be caStereG. But he
was somewhat relieved on this point, when told
that the same Individual might be elected again
to that high station.
The King inquired particularly about the
city of Washington, our seat Of government.
When we suggested that he probably knew
that it bore the name of our fist President; %
yes,' he replied, adding, with a hearty laugh,
The was that fine hero who logged the Eng
lish, and took from them your country He
appeared surprised that we had an ambassador
even in China, and inquired whether he was In
Canton or in Pekin.
He remarked that he had heard that there
was prospect of war between our country and
Mexico, and inquired the cause This led US
into brief exposition of the Texas question,
of which he had before heard something.
expressed my qualification at finding him so IA
miliar with things in the New World, of which
the mass of his subjects knew so little. He re-
piled that he was kept informed by the gazettes;
and afterwards ascertained that Mr.. Burgess,
an Englshman at Tabreez, translates para
graphs of interest from an English gazette for
the kings brother at that place, who, after
reading them, transmits them to the Shah.
The King inquired about the big gun, 'the
peace MAKER which had burst and Killed our
vzier and some Of our meerzas, and appeared
interested to know that it was made of wrought
iron. He asked, with interest, about the min
eral resources of our country; and on being re-
minded Of our coal mines, he stated, with great
apparent satisfaction, that he also has plenty
of coal near Teheran; 'but,' he added, we
have no good miners to quarry it, He inquir-
ed with much interest respecting the ancient
inhabitants of our country, the Indians, asking
whether they settle in towns; whether they are
converted to Christianity, SC. On being told
that they do not settle in our cities, do they
never visit them'' he asked. yes we told
him, their chiefs and others sometimes visit our
cities, and then return to their native wids.'-
They come and look at you, and then run
Al ! ~