Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-08-17
THE FIRST UNITED STATES MINIS.
TER TO PERSIA.
Wr. ~ q ". BenjnmIns Report of Ills
journey 10 Tchcran nud Reception
Mt The shah. Palace.

Gently appointed minister resident and con.
sui general of the United States to Persia
has given an interesting account of his jour
ney to Teheran, and the ceremony attending
his official presentation TO the Shah, Mr..
benjamin being the first diplomatic rcpresen.
tativc OF this government accredited to that
of his majesty. Mr.. Benjamin was Go days
reaching Tehcran from New York by way
of Bordeaux, Marsellles, Constantiuople, and
Poti by water, and from the latter place 10y
rail to Baku on the Caspian Sea. At Baku
Mr.. Benjamin received from the Persian
consul telegram from the Shah, inviting
him to proceed at once to TchcraD. A two
days journey in n small boat brought Mr..
Benjamin ID Enscli, where the Shah's steam
yacht which is the only vessel permitted
to fly the Persian flag on the Caspian
Sea, crossed over the bar and took Mr..
Benjamin ashore. The minister then
says: I'VE were met on landing by Mehmet
TaGhy Khan, the Mchmandar, 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 At.
| tachcd to II is a peculiar circular pavilion in
several stories, pcturesqucly decorated. After
| breakfast we were taken on the steam yacht
| across 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 arc still found. We landed at
the village of PHI Bazaar, which forms the
port of Resht. We were met here by the
Govcrnor-Gencral of the Province of Gillian
| and number of not .blts After the usual
refreshments the ladies of my family were
escorted 10 the town in a carriage.
was then requested to mount n fine horse
and some 90 gentlemen accompanied me
to Rcsht, Il place Of over 10000 inhabit-
| ants, six miles distant. When half way there
| we were met by six Governors Of ncighboring
provinces with their attendants all mounted.
Forming line by the roadside they grace-
fully silutei your representative and then
joined his escort with their attendants. AT
the entrance to the town l was met by a
| delegation of 200 citizens, who, after salu-
ting me, formed procession and conducted
us to the residence Of the Governor. Genercl,
where we were received by company of
soldiers and awarded comfortable apart
mcnts." Here, also, many officials and
prominent citizens called and paid their res
poets TO Mr. Benjamin. From Resht u
journey of 220 miles on horseback was un-
deraken, in company with the Mehmandar.
"On the north side of the mountain" SAYS
MIR. Ben "lhs vegetation had tropi-
cal luxuriance, while on the south side it
was arid, with plains skirtcd by distant rose
ate ranges, as in Colorado, aud varied with
frequent mirage. We crossed the Elbrooz
ridge where il is 6, 300 feet high, and opened
the slupendous peak of Demaveud cone
resembling Chimboraz) and looming about
reheran 10 a height of 10000 feet" AT
by the Calantar, or Mayor of
Casbin, with attendants, who received
HIN with the usual Persian ceremony and
assured him that the governor Of Casbn, who
is a brother OF the Shah, was DESTROYS of wei.
coming Mr.. Benjamin with distinction. This
attention Mr.. Bcuj was forced to decline
owing to his fatigued condition, having rid
den about 1870 miles, and his desire to reach
TcLeian before the Shah's departure for the
Summer. Upon arriving at Casbin, the Meh-
mandat called on the governor presented
Mr. Benjamin's compliments for the proifer-
ed honor, and offered suitable apologies for
having to decline it. At Casbin the broad
avenue leading to the hotel, the hotel and the
neighboring buildings were gayly decorated
with streamers for the occasion. Casbin Is
HOuIlSulHp Guy vi fU,UUU lUuuDlldOls, POSSESS
ing well-kept inn belonging TO the govern
mcnt. The chief products of the city and
district are dried fruits, nuts, carved woods,
and wine. This latter has an agreeable fla
vor, a pale yellowish red color, and is some
what mlder than Burgundy. 1t is cheap
and would probably be well received
abroad, but being so moderately fortified
docs not keep well. From Casbn the party
proceeded to Teheran in a carriages over "A
fine carriage road recently completed. A
brilliant pageant had been prepared outside
OF the walls of Teheran at one of the royal
pavilions. At the stairway of the pavilion
MIR. Benjamin ives met by the Nasr el Malk
or General-in-C Chief OF the armies of Persia,
aud glittcIing crowd of prominent officers,
blazing with blue, scarlet, silver, and gold,
and decorations innumerable of diamonds and
costly gems. Mr., Benjamin was escorted
to an audience hall by the General.in-C Chief,
where an exchange Of courtesics was offered
and accepted. Next, Mr.. Benjamin was taken
to the court below and mounted upon fine
horse to continue his travels. This was the
signal for every one 10 mount, and the
cortege of nearly 1000 Royal Guards was
put in motion. They were brilliantly
and deliberately costumed. AS the pro-
cesslon moved across the PLAIN to-
ward the beautiful turreted-gate of the
city, which is decorated with parli-colored
glazed tiles, the Cossacks dashed hther and
thither between the lines, firing muskets in
the air and exhibiting the most brilliant feats
of horsemanship. The streets were lined
with spectators, and at intervals were station
ed the police or squads of military. Passing
through the grand square of the department
of war, the cortegc turned into the new, or
European, quarter of the city.
On approaching his quarters, Mr. Bcnja-
min was told by an aide tina, 200 soldiers |
were marshaled at the entrance to receive |
him. Dir. Benjamin dismounted, returned
their salute, and, accompanied by the gem
cral-in. chief and his staff, was escorted to the
room, where further courlcsies |
were shown and refreshments enjoyed. Mr. |
Benjamin next made an informal call on the |
minister for foreign affairs at his residence, |
according to the custom of the country. The |
latter has held his office SO years, and is a |
and astutc statesman Of kindly |
manners and disposition. On June 10 Mr.. |
Benjamin received a Call from the Grand
who is the son-n-law OF the
Shah, and who Informed Mr.. Benjamin
that his Majesty was to receive him at
o'clock p. m, ON the llth. Mr.. Benjamin
was taken to the palace in landau furnished
by his Majesty and drawn by six horses,
.neh hiouhteu ~ H'ciicu Postiiion. |
Twenty royal feraushes or foot runners,
clad in scarlet and wearing plumed tiaras.
preceded the carriage, together with a score
IF horsemen. Accompanied by the Mehman-
lar and the second master Of ceremonies,
Mr.. Benjamin arrived at the gardens of the
palace, which are beautlied with fountains
ind shrubbery and foliage arranged arlfully
wild, after a style peculiarly Persian. All
we're ushered into n spacious and handsome
iall, where the first master of ceremonies
md other gentlemen and dignitaries gorge.
,usly arrayed, were in waiting. Here Mr..
Benjamin was invited to seat of honor
md treated to tea and the
ialionu or water pipe" Soon after
he announcement was made to Mr..
Benjamin that his Majesty was in readiness
o receive him. and thcreupon he was con-
lucted by the first master of ceremonies to {