The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-01-25
BEFORE rAn KlNo or SIAN.
Hon. John Barrett, American Minister
at Last Gains an Audience.
The Health of His Royal Highness Is
Good-Repairs to the American
Legation Building.


The following from a late issue OF
the Siam Free Press will be interesting
reading to Astorians. 1t is an account
OF the ceremony attending the Amer
lean minister's presentation to the king
Hon. John ID. Barrett fomerly connect
ed with the Daily Astorian, and at
present envoy extraordinary and min
lister plenipotentiary to the court OF
Siam, is well known here.
"The doubt which has so long ex-
listed on the improvement in H. s. MS
health was dissipated when it was
known that the Hon. John Barrett was
to be received in audience on Thursday
evening. So long as the king was un-
able to receive the foreign representa-
tives, 1t was only reasonable to con-
clude that his health left everything
to be desired, even as today there is
great room for improvement. However,
the reception of the minister-resident
of the United States was the first pub.
lie intlmation that his Siamese majes.
ty was so far recovered as to be able
to attend to state affairs, and every
where the news has been received with
intense satisfaction both by natives
and foreigners.
ION Thursday evening Mr.. Xavier
awaited the Hon. John Barrett in a
court carriege outside the American
legation, and soon after 8 p. m. the
American representative, who has SC
long been waiting to present his Gre
dentials to the king, although he had
received his eXequator week after his
arrival, drove into the palace grounds.
An escort of the royal guard was
drawn up in double column as Mr.. Bar.
rett entered the courtyard, and the
royal band struck up Hail Columbia
as the foreign minister appeared to re.
ceive the American minister, the troops
at the same time presenting arms.
"On entering the reception room
Prince Davawongse called Mr. Bar
retts attention to the birthday book
which he was requested to sign as a
preliminary act to the more formal
introduction to his majesty the crown
prince and princes. AS the American
minister completed his signature the
crown prince appeared and entered into
familiar conversation with the Ameri>
can minister, with whom the young
hot, M ie,
a short chat with several of the princes
word arrived that his majesty was
awaiting Mr.. Barrett in the audience
hall, and conducted by the foreign
minister, and passing through the lines
of the higher palace officials, the
American minister was ushered into
the presence of the king of Siam.
His majesty was standing when Mr.. |
Barrett entered, and after formal
introduction, advanced smiling to shake |
hands with the American representa- |
tive, and to greet him with few
courtly words of welcome in Siamese,
translated in low tones by the foreign |
minister.
Mr.. Barrett's address was couched in |
in very felicitous language. After re-
ferring to the fact that he had been
accredited minister of the great repub-
lie to the court Of his Siamese majesty,
Mr.. Barrett went on to say that he
had also the honor to present the let
ter of recall of his lamented predeces-
sor, Colonel Sempronious H. Boyd. Mr..
Barrett wished to express his deep |
regard for the well-being of his ma
jesty and to attest his sincere interest
in the prosperity of the kingdom. His
duty while acting as minister resident
of his government would be to follow
closely treaty conventions, and to do
all in his power to preserve the rela-
tions of esteem and confidence which
had so long existed between. Siam and
the United States of America. He
hoped to be able to aid the develop
ment of q closer commercial union be-
tween the two countries, and he felt
sure of that con ntinued friendship and
hearty welcome for all American citi-
zens who came to this country with
that object in view. The United States
had. so far. concerned itself with the
vast possibilities of it's internal affairs
and the great resources of the country,
and was not, perhaps, as well known on
the Asian market as the European
powers. But it was to be hoped that
the near future was about to witness
a wider Intercourse between the Land
Of the Rising Sun and the orient, ana
that in his reciprocal treatment would
be found.
In conclusion the American minister
was happy to be able to warmly con-
graduate his majesty on his recovery,
a fact which would not only be well
come in Siam to his loyal subjects, but
to the entire world.
'Iiis majestys reply was in effect
that he was highly gratified to re-
ceive Mr. Barrett in quality of minis
ter resident of the United States. He
was glad to hear that Mr.. Barrett
wouid do ali he could to strengthen
the lies of friendship between the two
countries This kind assurance re- l
minded him of Colonel Boyd, with
whom his majesty said he was on very
intimate terms, and whose loss he
deeply deplored. Colonel Boyd, said the
king, did much to cement the good re-
lations which has so long remained
uninterrupted between the United
States and Siam.
I'm conclusion the king thanked Mr..
Barrett for his kind inquiries and good
wisnes for his health, and assured the
American minister that during his life
ne would do his utmost to preserve
and draw closer the good relations be-
tween the two countries.