Litchfield enquirer., 1862-03-13
AlisfeIlanp..

saa a.,a In Congress.) zs. - HOW THE PRESIDENT WAS OFFERED
 A PRESENT OF ELEPHANTS. A COPY OF TWO LETTERS FROM HIS M AJEsTY THE
 MAJOR KING OF SIAM TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE
 UNITED STATES ACCOMPANIED BY CERTAIN PRE-
 sENTs, AND OF THE PRESIDENTS ANSWER THERE
 TO.
 10 dhe Senate and House of Representatives
 In transmitting to Congress the accompany ing copy of two letters, bearing date the l4th of February, 1861, from his Majesty the Major King of Siam to the President of the United States, and of the Presidents answer thereto. I submit for their consideration the question as to the proper place of deposit of the gifts received with the royal letters referred to. s.-s
 ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
 WAsHISGToN, February 26, 1862.
 7Ae King of Siam to he President of tue Uni-
 ted States. r..
 Translation.
 Somdetch Phra Paramendr Maha Mengkut, by
 the blessing of the highest superagency of the
 whole universe, the King of Siam the sove-
 reign of all inferior tributory countries adia-
 cent and around in every direction. viz Laws
 of Shiengs on the northwestern and northern
 Laws Kans on the northern to northeastern
 to southeastern most of the Malay peninsu-
 lar on southern and southwestern and Ka.
 riengs on the western to northwestern points,
 and the professor of the Magadhe language
 and Budhistical literature, &c.,, &c., &c, to his
 most respected excellent presidency, the Pre-
 sident of the United States of America, who,
 having been chosen by the citizens of the Uni
 ted States as most distinguished, was made
 President and Chief Magistrate in the affairs
 of the nation for an appointed time of office,
 viz Buchanan, esquire, who has forwarded an
 official letter to us from Washington. dated at
 Washington. May To, anno Christi 1859, which
 was Wednesday, 10th night of waxing moon
 in the lunar month of Visakh, the 9th month
 recurring from the commencement of the cold
 season in the year of Goat, lst decade of the
 Samese astronomical era l22l, with pack
 age of books, 1922 volumes in number which
 came to hand in the year following, or to
 whomsoever the people have elected anew as
 chief ruler in place of President Buchanan,
 &c., &c., &c, sendeth friendly greeting:
 RESPECTED AND DISTINGUISHED SIR: At this time we are very glad in having embraced an ex- cellent opportunity to forward our royal letter, under separate envelope, together with compli- mentarY presents, viz:
 A sword, with photographic likeness of our selves, accompanying herewith directly to Wash ington, as being much better way of forward ing it than the way we had intended, by deliver ing it to the consul of the United States of America here to be forwarded on, sometimes by a steamer, sometimes by sailing vessel, from one port to another, till it should reach Wash ington. This sending where there are many changes from one vessel to another is not trust worthy way; there is danger of delay. and, in deed, that the articles may be damaged, and never reach their distinction
 On this occasion occurred, in February, Christian era 1861, corresponding, to the lunar time, being in connexion of the Siamese months of Magh and Phagun, the 3d and 4th month from the commencement of the cold season, in the year of Monkey, second decade, Siamese astro- nomical era 1922, a ship of war, sailing vessel of the United States navy, the "John Adams" arrived and anchored outside the bar, off the mouth of the river Chan Phya" Captain Berren, with the officers of the ship, came up to pay friendly visit to the country, and has had an interview with ourselves, hence to him we have intrusted our royal letter in separate enve- lope, which accompanies this and the persons specified in that letter
 We are assured that Captain Berrien will de- liver them in safety to you, who will be Presi- dent of the United States when our letter would reach Washington.
 During the interview in reply from Captain Berrien to our inquiries of various particulars re- lating to America, he stated that on that conti- nent there are no elephants. Elephants are re- sarded as the most remarkable of the large quad rupeds by the Americans, so that, if any one has an elephants tusk of large size, and will deposit it in any public place, people come by thousands crowding to see it. saying. it is wonderful thing. Also, though formerly there were no camels on the continent, the Americans have sought for and purchased them some from Ara bia, some from Europe, and now camels propa- gate their race. and are serviceable and of bene- fit to the country, and are already numerous in America.
 Having heard this, it occurred to us that if, on the continent of America there should be sever- al pairs of young male and female elephants turn cd loose in forests where there was abundance Of water and grass, in any region under the suns declination both north and south, called by the English the torrid zone. and all were forbidden to molest them, to attempt to raise them would be well, and if the climate there should prove favorable to elephants, we are of opinion that after while they will increase until there be large herds, as there are here on the continent of Asia, until the inhabitants of America will be able to catch and tame and use them as beasts of burden, making them of benefit to the coun- try, since elephants, being animals of great size and strength, can bear burdens and travel through uncleared woods and matted iungles where no carriages and cart roads have yet been made
 Examples we have, coming down from ancient times. of this business of transplanting elephants from the main land of Asia to the various s- lands. Four hundred years ago, when the island of Ceylon was governed by its native princes, an embassy was sent to beg of the King of henza- watty or Pegu, to purchase young elephants, in several pairs, to turn loose in the junges of Cey lon, and now, by natural increase, there are many large herds of elephants in that island
 We have heard also tradition that a long time ago the natives of Achen, in the island of Sumatra, and the natives of Java, came to the Malayan peninsular to obtain young elephants to turn loose in the jungles of Sumatra and Java, and in consequence of this elephants are pumer- ous in both those islands. se.~.s |.
 On this account we desire to procure and send elephants to be let loose to increase and multiply in the continent of America. But we are as yet uninformed what forests and what regions of that country are suitable for elephants to thrive and prosper. Besides, we have no means, nor are we able, to convey elephants to America, the distance being too great.
 The islands of Ceylon, Sumatra, and Java are near to this continent of Asia, and those who thought of this plan in former days could trans port their elephants with ease and without diff culty. :t,-.. Interference to this opinion of ours, if the Pre-. sident of the United States and Congress who. conJointiy with him, rule the country, see fit to approve, let them provide large vessel loaded with hay and other food suitable for elephants on the voyage, with tanks holding suficiency of fresh water, and arranged with stalls 90 that tae elephant can both stand and lie down in the ship, and send it to receive them.
 We, on our part, will procure young male and