The New York herald., 1876-07-27
A MODEL CONSUL.
HIGH HANDED PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN
CoNsrrr aIAM


Tho United States steamer Ashueot, Commander f.
o. Mathews commanding arrived here the 18th inst.
from Bangkok, Sam where she has been for some
time past her commanding officer having been ordered
TO that place for the purpose OF investigating CON-
plants that made against General W. Partridge
United States Consul for Siam, by American citizens
and others From the officers of the Ashucloi learn
the following, which were stated as facts
The King of Siam. wishing his country 10 be repre-
sen,cd at tho Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia
gathered together large quantity OF Of various
kinds representing The different varieties OF Siamcsc
industry specimens of gold and silver plate collections
OF minerals, models OF houses temples and boats In
fact he gathered large and valuable collection OF goods
and appointed Mr.. Chandler, an American, who has
lived many years in Siam. his Commissioner 10 tho
Centennial Exposition
Our Consul, Nr. Partridge wished 10 get the
appointment for himself, even trying to force
the Samcsc to give him the appointment.
Failing in this he did thing in his power pro.
vent the departure OF tho Centennial goods with the
agent, Mr. Chandler. At last he hit upon a scheme
which proved enectuaL Mr. Chandler some years
ago. had become bankrupt, giving up all his property
TO satisfy his creditors among whom was American
firm who had ned a claim against MIN at the United
States Consulate This old charge raked up
against Mr. Chandler by noble representative, and
he was arrested upon writ issued by General ParI.
ridge, by the United States Marshal Master Frcd
Partridge the Consul's hopeful son. THIS officer OF
justice from showing any respect consideration
for the gray hairs of the old gentleman knocked him
down during tho operation and lodged him IN the Con-
sular Jail
ACT GROSS INJUSTICE
excited the indignation OF ALL and the King, justly in
censcd this insult refused to have anything to do
with the Consul to be represented at the Centennial
Partridge, meeting with opposition sent tor Amer
gunboat to support his authority. but, wisely
thinking it might lead to an investigation of his
duct. he countcrmandcd his request.
In the meantime Mrs. Chandler started for homo
hoping to help her husband by laying the facts OF the
before the property authority Mrs Chandler left
Bangkok without the Consul's knowledge. As
he found it out he started for Singapore in hot haste
hoping to intercept the lady at that place. appointing
his Vice Consul and Acting Consul in his aosence
General Partridge alleged that the lady had important
papers in her possession which connected with
her husbands case and which it was necessary for him
to obtain. HIS probable object, however, detain
Mrs Chandler Bangkok. He arrived in Singapore
just TOO lao to intercept the lady, and returned
Bangkok. In the meantime the American mission arios
and other American citizens had written and signed
paper cnumerating their grievances and preterring
grave charges both against the Consul and hts Tor
misconduct This paper sent the proper author
tiles, General Partridge finding IL out when too late
intercept il.
The Consul suspected one Reynolds as being the In
stigator this papor, and charges Of libel were ncd
against him b. young Partridge, damages being fixed
at $4q0. This amount was fixed upon as oil Consuls
cat impose fines without appeal. said Cues not
coed $500 In where fines are levied exceeding
that there be appeal to i9hcr
The Consular Court convened upon the day ap
pointed for the trial. General Partridge remarked
the prosecution not ready. although It might bc
deemed little irregular, still he would with tho
case and allow the defendant to 60 aud call up wit
in order to demonstrate the facts Of his inno
NsStn narine fhnn rollo nd
witnesses for the defence and ned by
Fred Partridge who appeared tor the prosecution.
One OF the questions asked them concerning their
knowledge OF t.c such that they could not
answer without duplicating themselves they refused
owea and Se same question was rcpeatcd with little
change five separate times, the Consul nng witnesses
$40 each offence 1850 each) ior contempt of
| Furthermore AT the conclusion Of the t-ial he ad-
the witnesses had all In their power
hinder the trial. it was no more than fair that they
should pay the costs OF the suit, amounting to $Sl,
aud that they should be committed to the consular jail
/ until the costs and fines be paid This sentence
carried ort and the witnesses, who were miss lonaries
This was the state OF affairs when Captain Mathews
arrived IN Siam.
PERFECT
existed under the Consular tyranny, and American ct
had redress as we have only one representa-
tive in Siam, leaving appeal to higher source out
of tho question: and thus givng the Consul almost alb
soIte power The arrival OF tho Ashuclot hailed
with Joy both by tho Americans and the Siamcsc
The King OF Siam was much pleased with tho atten-
tion shown him by Captain Mathews anu mis- officers
and held no official communication with the Consul
He gave frequent audiences TO the oicors OF the Ash
uelot and when no found that they did not support
the United States Consul the King tod Captain Mathews
that he would make to the United States OF
the goods he had intended send to the Centennial
IT the would accept condition that
they would DO to the United States and be exhib
tied the Siamese department at the Centennial Ex-
position. Captain Mathews at once went to Saigon and
tclegraphed Tor orders. favorable answer was re-
turned and the AshucOt returned Bangkok, taking
the for the Centennial Upon her arrival
a. that place Captain Mathews restored tranquility
and confidence in The minds OF both Americans and
and Siamese and became great avorte or the King.
Ii. has written, believe, lengthy report upon tho
state Department, that that worthy will probably
removed IRON his post as quickly rs possible General
Partridge from Illinois Mr.. Hood, his predecessor,
obliged TO leave his post account OF his swindng
operations Upon his return 10 the United States he
visited General Partridge stating that for 81 OOJ he
would procure him the appointment Consul for Siam,
ana that he would furthermore tell him how mako
money out Of IT, saying that he was Obliged 10 leave
the country lust as he Hood was about 10 make a
fortune (Thc Chicago Times OF July or Q, 1862 con-
tans account OF this transaction, | beevcl Gen
era Partridge shortly alierward received the appoint
mcnt OF United States Consul for Siam.
The Consul's son, who rs also the United States Mar
sha and United States Wee Consul is some twenty
three years Of age OF dubious reputation and has been
TOR some time past holding the position OF liquor
spcctor large liquor iarm owned by wealthy
he employed by slave OF Sinmese subject the
siamese properly refused to recognize nm his
Official capacity as Vice Consul 1t was his iather's
tcnon. if he had succeeded in securing the appoint
mcnt Commissioner to the Centennial
HAVE IErr HIS son AS ACTING CONSUL
in charge OF the United States Consulate
The steamer Esmcrada from Manila, arrived here
18Th inst. From one OF her passengers learn
that tho American schooner Fanny Hare, OF Fran
CISCO laden with "a cargo OF -Four. consigned to Hoi-
day. Wise Co., OF Manila, had been detained IN that
port by the Spanish authorities, subject TO nc Of
$l32, 900. The facts thcsc-thc captain, after
leaving San Francisco, found that the vessel
was too deeply laden. so that lie was
obliged dispose OF 800 bags Of flour his passage
out IN order tighten the vessel. Upon his arrival
in Manila the authorities fined The vessel 500 Tor each
bag she was short on tho manifest. . total fine Of
Sl32 They at first tired 10 collect II from Hoii-
day. Wise 4 Co, an English firm, bur the English
Consul intcrcrcd orbiddiDg it, they then held the
schooner responsible; the captain being sick the
hospital no steps had been taken IN the case yet by
our con,nIerc agent at that port
The united States Flag ship Tennessee Is at NaRa-
saki and will leave shortly for Chcfoo The United
Stntes steamer Monocncy and the United States
steamer Yantic are at Yokohama The United States
steamers Asbuelot and tho Paos leave the 10Th Tor
tho \orih stoppuc in all the between herr