ing day, where he was received with due honors. He was accompanied by
two of the Buddhist priests who had come from Siam in his vessel on a pilgrimage
to the famous temple. I t was learned, on inquiry that Prince
Phar-Pen-Clow-Chow-Yon-Hon, who was so civil to Mr. Roberts and the
officers of the Peacock on the occasion of their visit to Siam, in 1836, was
the second in rank in his kingdom, or second king, as it is termed. The
Commodore, therefore, being desirous of renewing the good understanding
which formerly subsisted between him and our officers, which, however, had
been somewhat disturbed by the visit of Mr. Ballastier, sent him a beautiful
pistol, of Colt’s patent, and addressed to him the following letter :
Un it ed States Sh ip Miss is s ip p i,
Point de Galle, Island o f Ceylon, March 14, 1853.
M o s t E x a l t e d P r i n c e :—I have been most happy to meet at this port
a vessel-of-war belonging to the kingdom of Siam, one of beautiful form
and construction, and commanded by an officer of skill and merit.
In remembrance of the kindness you extended to the late Mr. Roberts
and the officers of the United States ship Peacock, in 1836, I beg your
acceptance of a curious pistol which has been entrusted to my charge, to be
presented to some high functionary who has sufficient acquaintance with the
arts to understand its mechanism and use.
The renown which your Highness has acquired in America, for your
attainments in every branch of science, induces me to place at your disposal
this trifling gift of Mr. Colt.
I hope that you will send one of your ships of Siam to America, where
I can promise the officers a friendly and honorable welcome.
I t will, at all times, give me the greatest pleasure to render to all vessels
under the Siamese flag whatever aid or assistance it may be in my power to
command.
With profound respect I have the honor to be your most obedient
servant,
M. C. PERRY, Commander-in-chief
o f all the U. 8 . naval forces in the East India, China, and Japan seas.
T o h is R o y a l Hig h n ess P h a r -P en -C low-C how-Y on-H on.
The Commodore was induced thus to take the initiative in endeavoring
to open communications with Siam, in the hope that he might possibly he
able to revive the treaty between that kingdom and the United States, made
on our part by Mr. Roberts. This had virtually become a dead letter and
altogether inoperative, as had, indeed, also that made by England with the
same people. Sir John Davis and Sir James Brooke, on behalf of England,
and Mr. Ballastier, on the part of the United States, had made subsequent
efforts and been politely repulsed; but the Commodore hoped that possibly