Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-08-05
AMERICANS ~ SIAM.


Mr. Isaac Townsend Smith, the present
consul general for Siam in New York, has
been connected FOR over to wears with the
Sam, 81 government ~ financial agent.
consul and consul :, neral and is therefore
well qnalfe to sp'sk 0t the little kingdom
Whose quarrel Wit, Fran y may have such
fsr-teaching re-ults. Mr.. Smith was asked
to tell something of what Americans have
done in the past in Siam.
we have contributed to educate her
pr neess and people in many ways. said he.
Americans introduced printing and other
useful arts, rs we'll az medical treatment,
among them, and have done much in other
ws,s to stimu ate and -treDg hen their ma
tioual life ami chara ter II is no wonder
tn. re fore. that we regard with the deepest
conct IN this unjust war that has been
sprung upon them so unexpectedly by the
French
Americans have been interested in Siam
for many years-in the olien times by con-
siderable direct commerce with Bang kok,
and latterly by missionaries and educators
dwelling among the people. The Kings Of
siam both the late Hing, father of the
present, and his Majesty now on the throne
have allowed foreigners TO reside in
Siam. treating them in liberal spirit. To
Americans they have been friendly in u
marked degree. They have been pleased
with their resd, nee in the country and have
appreciated what we have done among
them.
In 1885 the first printing press was set
UP in Siam by DIR. ID. b. Bradley, an
American. In 1896 the fr,t printing in
Siamese letters was done by c. Robinson.
an American. with type cast in Bengal.
The first known successful operation in
surgery in the amputstion of an arm was
performed nv Dr, Bradley on priest.
About tli. time the smallpox was unusually
widespread aud mali ynsnt ,hrou ghout the
country. It had been an annual scourge.
The American missionaries introduced vac
cine and arrested It The King sent body
of the Roval Medical Faculty of ten or
twelve to learn the treatment until able to
practice it successfully.
In sol three ladies of the American
mission. Mrs Samuel I. Smith, Mrs. d.
3. Bradley. AMI Mrs. House. upon the in
vi'ation of the King, visited the palace for
a period Of three years and taught the fam
lis Of his Msjesty science and useful
bran hes of knovl.''ge.
In 1855 the frs. steamhoa, built in Siam
.ss constructed by Phra Mai Wal, Siam
csc, after plans and models msde in this
county and sent out by myself, with en-
gines and machinery made at the Novelty
Iron Works. in this city. The engine and
machinery were SGT up under the superin-
tsn!ence of I IL. Chsndt r, an Am ricsn,
q rrsct'csI rachinest connected ith the
American Baptist Mission The boat Vas
y ysc' for bis Msj ,ty'. own use. Ii had
W ,lki1g beam ,nsine and vas called the
Siam Steam-torce Royal Seat. On the 10th
of November, 1855. the King took al excur-
sion 10 il,
an 1855 the Unitei States slip San
.Jaein,o arrived at the bar at the mouth of
the river With the Hon. Townsend Harris,
American pl, niposentsry. He was escorted
up tae river BY state barges. the Royal Seat
bearing the minister, and on the a7,h of
April, 1851. the treat with the United
Stres was signed.
The first steam rice nell in Siam was