National Republican., 1883-08-08
SEEING THE SHAH.
The New American Minister'S Account Of His
Presentation.
The Journey from BHlsar to Tehor"n-
The Public Demonstrations.

minister resident and consul general of the
United States to Persia, has reached Teheran
safely, and in q dispatch to the State depart
ment, dated June 10, gives a vory interesting
account of his journey and his reception by
the shah at Teheran. lie was sixty-fve days
on the way between New York and Teheran.
At Balsar Mr.. Benjamin received from the
Persian consul a telegram from the shah,
inviting him to proceed at once to Teheran.
A two days journey in q small boat brought
Mr. BENJAMIN to Enseli, where the shah's
steam yacht, which is the only vessel permit
ted to fly the Persian flag on the Caspian sea,
crossed over the bar and took him ashore.
eRTho minister then says. 1--WE were met on
landing by Mehmet Taghy Khan, the
mehmandan, or officer delegated to receive
ambassadors and conduct them to the capital
We were escorted with considerable pomp to
a summer residence of his majesty, situated
in garden overlooking the surf-beaten shore
of the Caspian. Attached to it is peculiar
circular pavilion, in several stories, pictur-
esquely decorated. After breakfast we were
taken on the steam yacht across q shallow
lake or arm of the sea to the
mouth OF narrow stream. There we entered
boats and were towed up the winding river
whose banks are inclosed with reeds in which
tigers are still found. We landed Mt the viii
lage of Pitt Bazaar, which forms the port of
general of the province of Gilon and q num-
Der of notables. After the usual refreshments
the ladies of my family were escorted to the
town in o carriage. l was then requested to
mount fine horse and some fifty gentlemen
accompanied me to Resht, q place of over
20, 900 inhabitants, six miles distant"
From Resht a journey of two hundred and
twenty miles on horseback was undertaken
in company with the mehmandan. The
scenery along the route was varied and mag
nificen5. "On the north side of the noun
tain," says ny. Benjamin, "the vegetation
had tropical luxuriance, while the south
side was arid with plains skirted by distant
roseate ranges, as in Colorado, and varied
with frequent mirage. We crossed the Ell
brooked ridge, which is $500 feet high, and
opened the stupendous peaks of Seinovend,
cone resembling Chimboraz, and looming
above Teheran to height of 10000 feet"
At Aga Baba Mr.. Benjamin was invited to
visit the governor of Castein, a brother of the
shah, but was obliged to decline the invita-
tion on account of haste and wearine8.
From this point the party proc. sded in car
riages to Teheran.
A brilliant pageant had been prepared out
side the walls of Teheran at one OF the royal
pavilions. At the stairway of the pavilion
Mr.. Benjamin wSs met by the nasr ell mulls,
or general in chief of the armies of Persia.
and glittering crowd of prominent officers,
|
and decorations innumerable of diamonds and
costly gems. Mr.. Benjamin was escorted to
an audience hall by the general and chiefs,
where an exchange of courtesies was
offered and accepted. Next Mr.. Ben
jamin was taken to the court below
and mounted upon a fine horse to con-
tinue his travels. This was signal for every
one to mount and the cortego of nearly 1000
Royal Guards was put in motion. They were
brilliantly and elaborately costumed. As
the procession moved across the plains toward
the beautiful turreted gate of the city, which
is decorated with parti-colored glazed tiles,
the Cossacks dashed hither aud thither
the air, and exhibiting the most
brilliant feats of horscmanship. The
streets were lined with spectators ant
at intervals were stationed the police Of
squads of military. Passing through tn,
grand square of the department Of war tn,
cortege turned into the new or European
quarter of the city. On approaching hi
quarters Mr.. Benjamin was told by an aiC
that 300 soldiers were marshaled at the en-.
trance to receive him. Mr. Benjamin dis
mounted, returned their salute, and accom-
panied by the general and chief and his staff
was escorted to the reception room, where
further courtesies were shown and refresh
ments enjoyed.
Mr.. Benjamin next made an informal cal
on the minister for foreign affairs at his resi-.
dence, according to the custom OF the coun
try. He has held his office thirty-six years
and is a conservative and astute statesman OF
kindly manners and disposition. On the
tenth of June, Mr.. Benjamin received n Gail
from the grand chamberlain, who is tho SON
in-law of the shah, and who informed him
that his majesty desired to receive him
at l o'clock p. III. on the eleventh
Mr.. Benjamin was taken to the
palace in landau furnished by hi,
majesty, and drawn by six horses, eacl
mounted by iiveried prostillion. Twenty
royal feranshes or foot runners, clad in scar.
let and wearing plumod tiaras preceded the
carriage. together with a score of horSemen
Accompanied by the mehmandan and the
second master OF ceremonies, Mr.. licnjamir
arrived at the gardens Of the palace, whicl
are beautidod with fountains and shrub
berry, and foliage arranged aitrully wild
after style peculiarly Persian. Al
handsome hall, where the urst mas
ter of ceremonies, and other gentlemen
and dignitaries, gorgeou,ly arrayed, We're in
waiting. Here MIR. Bonjamin was invited I,
a seat of honor, and treated to tea and th
kalionn, or water pipe" Soon alter the an
nOuncement was made that his majesty wa
in readiness to receive him, aud thereupOr
he was conducted by the first master of cere
monies to the palace itself. "At this moment,
says Mr.. Benjamin, "a salute, fired in homo
of the United States, thundered OVel
the city" 'And," he continued" ol
entering we ascended magnifcen
staircase. The walls were decorated in par
with paintings by European masters. From
the staircase we entered an audience hall o
vast proportions and most impr, ssive effect
ii IS majesty stood at the upper end. Leaving
my outer shoes at the door, ms prescribed b.
the treaty of KourmantGhIa, made Il low bow
and walked up to where the king was stand
ing" Mr., Benjamin then addr s5ed the kim
in French and presented his letter of crcdencC
His majesty replied that it gave him grea
satisfaction TO see an American legation "A
Teheran, and considered that both govern
ments could be further benefited by increas
I ing the intercourse and diplomatic relation
of the two peoples.
After this ceremony his majesty eXpresse
strong hopes that the United States, now tha
it had established legation in Persia, shou
maintain one permanently at Teheran.
At the conclusion of the audience with hi
majesty Mr.. Benjamin made n formal ca
) upon the secretary of foreign affairs and pal
his respects also to his royal highness tn
} Naib Sultan, who is the minister of war an,
one of the sons of the king, and thanked hiI
for the military escort
At all the points along the route, wherevg
Mr.. Benjamin stopped, he was shown mucl
attention by foreign officials, and especial
by those of Persia and Russia NJ CONSTANT
nople, who cheerfully rendered him ever
proper courtesy and service.