Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-06-19

dnary Europeans fell into errors about such Matters
which known themselves only that in the second
place. what they considered threat not SO in
atty; fer the President had merely warned their King
that if after having received his letter Of friendship and
concihaon disowning any act Of hostility by an officer
of the United States and Offering to make amends on be-
ing satisfied Of the ustness Of the complaint he should
persist in harborng enmy and execute his own threats
Of avengng himself upon Americans who chanced to fall
in his power that then the President would feel himself
obliged to send war ships to Anam demand satisfaction
for such revengeful conduct.
Night coming the parties separated and in the
ing they closed the discussion which, before led to
nothing definite The natives were permitted to carry
with them translation in Chinese of the Presidents let
ter Mr. Balestier made another visit to the town. and
took with him map Of the United States, which, with
our treaty with China was explained to the officers.
At last on the 18TH an cer came with information
TINT the Governor Of Prince of Kvsngnan had
id md ~ dsfros tohoIa conference With the En-
voy Who rsaily complied as he had already been at
Turong sixteen days.
On landing the American Envoy and suite were con-
Quoted to the great hall of audience the former
casion and not long after their arrival the entrance of
body Of soldiers into the court of the hall announced the
approach of the Governor.
/ After the usual compliments the Governor inquired
language, already alluded to, presented to him.
seeing which he said the contents already
to him. He inquired what the Envoy had further to com
municate He informed that he the bearer of
letter from the chief ohs nation copy which had
communicated him. and which, directed
deliver Inreply the Governor said that as the letter
contained what not correct could not be delivered
the King that letters could be laid before the King
until his officers had examined and approved them. The
Envoy objected to this course nasmuch the letter
the Chief of the United States to the Chief of Anam
both placed in the elevated station and that sub
ect person of inferior rank had to interfere in
its The Governor having said again that he could
not deviae from accustomed usage, the secretary of
the commission asked him in Chinese characters such
is the custom observed towards China He wrote, in
reply, "China needs not the other countries"
After long discussion the Envoy stated his impression
and firm belief that the objection made to receiving the
Presidents letter only convenient pretext not to
have such document record to arrest their hands
when about vengeance upon defenceess and
innocent Americans for supposed wrongs that from his
personal knowledge of the cruel practices of the Cochin
Chinese towards their enemies he fully they
unwilling to enter into relations of friendship with the
Americans but preferred leaving themselves liberty,
the last King had made known him, (r Balester to
abide his time his vengeance those Ame-
rcans who should unfortunately fall into his hands that
their proceedings this occasion towards the letter Of
the President amounted to insult and clearly satisfied
him Of the hostile and wicked intention Of the Govern
ment Against such diaboca course the Envoy warn
ed them telling the Governor that the United States
powerful nation and would visit with exemplary severi
ty all of cruelty violence put any Of her citizens
splendid repast after the fashion Of the country
then served; and, after effort TO bring about
favorable negotiations the Governor broke up the
meeting and returned to Hue
Mr. Balestier ncnes to the belief that had he appear
ed at Turong with squadron of three ships was orr
nay intended by the Secretary Of State instead of but
one the result of the mission would have been otherwise
"for," says he, the CochinChnese like all other
isolated and uniformed people, full Of vain pretensons
and childish eonce Abect slaves themselves, and sub
seryent to their soyeregns and sperors they have total
disregard to the feelings Of others and in their unbound
ed notion Of their greatness they pleased to
slider as homage due to them every attempt the part
of Europeans to enter into friendly relations with them
And Mr. Balester suggested the necessity Of demanding
security Of them for the lives and property Of Americans
which exposed along extensive line Of coast in the
China Sea- by armed force able to enforce the de-
mand;" which he, however believes could be obtained
without bloodshed by squadron of three ships Of
In the hope Of receiving intimaton Of favorable
disposition to treat, Mr. Balester remained at the an
chorage until the 18th March, when hearing nothing
the Shore he informed the commodore that he ready
to proceed further his mission, viz to Bangkok in
Siam The anchors weighed and the Plymouth glid
ed out Of the celebrated harbor Of Turong entirely
deserted by the shipping which Of old crowded it.
The wind and current proving favorable the ship
chored off the bar Of the river Ma-nam upon which the
city of Bangkok is built on the oath Of March, On the
day following inferior officer came on board to make
inquiries the object Of the visit Of the ship when
paper in the Samese language prepared beforehand
had been done at Turong explanatory Of the object of the
mission delivered TO him. with which he returned
the shore taking with him likewise letter from the En-
voy the American missionaries stationed at Bangkok
requesting them aid in pressing the arrangements for
his landing and precise information to the existence
Of the cholera which reported to be ravagng the city
few days after information received from the
Samese authorities and by missionary who came on
board that the usual preparations TO receive the Envoy
had been ordered that the cholera had far abated
in the city to apprehension with common care
day or two previous TO the arrival Of the Plymouth
British war steamer had arrived in the river Ma-nam
bringing the announcement of the early coming of Br
tish commissioner to the King similar mission. The
Court Of Siam, dreadng any approach Of the English,
manifested great joy when Of the arrival Of mis-
sion reached it for the King reported TO have
pressed his pleasure by saying that the Americans we're
his friends and the preparations which made TO
ceive them in accordance with these feelings But
this friendly disposition TO have been changed TO
disappointment when the morning Of the Sd Of April
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