The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-03-03
Siamese Vengeance.

correspondent OF the Hong Kong Ddaty
Press, and dated November 26th:
Your readers will all have heard of
the Slamese Ambassador on special duty
to the Court of ST. James who has re-
Gently been so much f5ted not only in
England, but who has also been received
IN private audience by his Majesty the
Emperor of Germany This high func-
tlonary has lately returned to his native
land, bringing with him the assurance to
his Government that England will not
support the views of the consular agent
as to their dealings with what might be
called their political offenders, and what
has been the result of this deplorable sue
cess of the Siamese Mission, the following
lines will show This unfortunate noble
man, Pra Pre-cha, who, ever since he re-
turned from his wedding tour of eight
days duration, has been kept in custody,
IN company with the worst galeriens that
ever country like Siam can produce,
chained with the heaviest chains on neck
arms, and feet, has now, finally, after
eight months Unreasonable sufferings,
had sentence passed on him, which is
that he receive 100 lashes with the rattan
and then to be decapitated This I'M
happy victim of Siamese family rivalry
once In the possession of his monarch's
most intimate confdence-has during all
the time of his trial been deprived Of all
means of defending himself, against the
dreadful accusation got up by his adver-
sarles through threatened and paid wit
nesses, all intercourse with whomsoever
1T may be, including his own family, be-
ing strictly forbidden. Sentence having
been passed and though chained as for
merly described-he was further put in
an iron cage strong enough to resist the
efforts of any wild beast, brought on board
small gun-boat, lying in readiness, and
in the middle of the night down they
went along the silent Menan, past his
own house, where unconscious of what
was happening. his young wife was, per-
haps, teaching her little baby to pray for
his unfortunate father, from whom they
had so long been separated, and whom
they would now never see again The
news has just come back from Pechim
that he died like man | should like
to rest my pen here, but alas, my story
is not yet. at an end For the Siamese
law it suffices for any one to be a relation
of person convicted, to be deprived of
all rank, rights, and possessions, without.
trial or anything, and this only can per-
haps explain to civilized mind why the
unfortunate members of the late Pra Pre-
chas family, his aged father and three
brothers, are now imprisoned, chained, and
treated like murderers and plunderers
that their wives with their innocent chill
dren, have been made slaves to pound
the rice of those who in bringing their
husbands and fathers to fall will have
the enjoyment of their possessions. And
In short time there will, in all likeli- !
hood, be no one left Of a once fourishing
family, whom every European in the
place has known and loved as one of the |
most advanced and obliging among the |
Siamese noblemen. 1t is rumored that
the Siamese Ambassador will return again
to Europe"some day in the spring to in
vest her Majesty with the Most Exalted |
Order Of the White Elephant. I will
keep you-informed of his departure for
that purpose"
The Straits Times gives some further
particulars of the affair. The Singapore
paper says:
Mrs Pre-cha, nee Miss Knox, daugh-
ter of Mr.. Knox, lately British Consul
General for Siam, who is now at home,
arrived here on December 1st, on her
way to England, by the Ban Yong Seng,
from Bangkok The unfortunate LADY |
tells doleful tale Shortly after the re-
turn Of Phya Bashakarawongsee, who was
sent as Envoy to England-mostly in re-
ference to the relations existing between
the Siamese Government and Mr.. Knox. |
arising out of Miss Knox S marriage-the
King of Siam ordered that Pre-cha. Miss
Knoxs husband, should be beheaded. !
which was done. Pre-cha, it will be re-
membered was logged in the first in
stance, and has been detained in prison
for months past Many members of his
family have also been arrested, and Mrs. !
Pre-cha had to beat hasty retreat from
Bangkok to save her own child and two
children of Pre-cha by another wife. who
are now here with her. We have always
deprecated the conduct of Mr.. Knox. in
ordering a gun-boat to Bangkok with the
object Of intimidating the Siamese because
Of a personal quarrel but we must now
say that this last act Of vengeance by the
Siamese is barbarous, and will estranpe
from the King, ex-Regent, and their Gov
I of.r,ru ant fbo o,yt,y,, ~, 70 r. Il