Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-06-17
erriHl Escin,i0u- with siam.

II will he remembered that II treaty Of commerce,
was concluded on the 10Th of August last betw cen
this government and the Kingdom of Siam. The
French Board of Trade, Agriculture and Public
Works have Published in the Inmates du Commerce
Eftttt, some interesting information ON the re-
sources of this part of Eastern Asia, from which We
extract the following facts:
Until lately the kingdom Of Siam has had ON
merclal relations only with China, Japan, Malay and
India. The SiumeSc mission to the Court of Louis
NIN', in 1850, having failed Of any satisfactory re-
suit, the commerce of this country with Europe, nc
cordingly, dates only from 1854, and the capital
bangkok, is now annually visited by about sixty Eu-
ropeon ships.
However numerous the natural productions may
be, the country is comparatively poor, the natives be.
ing, like the Asiatics in general, extremely indoIent'
aud as IN such a genial climate they have but few
wants, they scarcely know the resources of the coun-
try, and never dream OF Investigating them.
The forests of Siam Lnos and Camhodid abound
IN hbrons woods, medicinal plants and drugs, colors,
dyes, resins Of all sorts, lac, caontchouc aud other
gums, ola, ivory, horns. bones, skins and leather.
heeswaN, honey, trnnkiucenSc, ornamental wooisnnd
timber, minerals ofcvery kind, aud precious stones.
In equal abundance are found rice, maize and vege-
table,, tobacco, cotton, raw silk, hemp and flax, pep
per, spices, sugars, cocoa nuts aud tallow. NJ. de
Montlgny, the French envoy, was struck with aston
ishmcnt Mt the numerous sorts OF grain, OF which it
is no exaggcration TO shy thercare nearly thirty I'M
known to Europe, twenty-five samples of which he
has sent to France. Three species OF grain form the
principal food of the natives, and are sold ut n very
low price. Laborers are paid from fifteen to thirty
cents n day ut Bangkok and much less in the interior,
One product which could be usefully employed in
Europe and America is the bark of tree called the
khai, with which tho Samese make II good paper
ut a triiing expense. The tobacco of Siam is of an
excellent aroma and good quality.
AIN examining the primeval forests aud Jungle;
grains, plants, fruits and woods, containing colors
and dyes, have been found in great abundance. One
OF the most valuable products, however, is the cele-
brlted lockwood, which is so abundant and cheap
that it could he imported into France Mt a less rate
than almost any foreign wood. 1t forms IL sort OF
monopoly for the benefit of the kings brother, who
nj the request of NJ. de Montigny, promised to lend
every assistance in his power to the French engineers
and agents in preparing this article of merchandise
for the market. 1t seems that good carpenters are to
be found at Siam at from two to three francs II day
everything included. THERE'S also u red wood SO had
that the English and Americans employ It instead Of
iron or copper, for wedges.
1.-The Slamese people, MS we have observed, have
but few wants, though the better classes love elegance
ana luxury, aud are fond of wearing European costu-
mes. They make use of the dress of the time of
Louis the XIV, the forms and ornaments OF which
are known and preserved among them. The uniform
oil their soldiers is an imitation of the Europcan-
In short tins nation has taste and industrial products
winch VIII ensure for 1t an advantageous commerce.
10 these details II is important to add that the Gus.
ton-hon'e arrangements are remarkably simple there
being but one duty to pay, viz, three per cent on
the value OF the merchandise. Thus a new source
ot tradeis opened to the speculative and industrious
world