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bles you to do a great deal in that way, and patriotic wanderers like Mr. Borie, who believed in the country, had their faith stimulated by reading on the menu of salmon from Oregon and corned beef from Chicago. Mr. Sickles, in a neat and brief speech, proposed the health of General Grant. The General thanked the Consul, and asked the company to drink the health of the King of Siam. The king's secretary acknowledged this, and proposed the President of the United States. We then walked down to the water's edge, and embarked from the consular landing in the yacht which was to carry us to our own vessel. The Celestial Prince and the members of his household were there to say farewell. We took leave of his Royal Highness, General Grant expressing his great sense of the honor that had been done him, and hoping he might have the chance of returning Siamese hospitalities in America. The Prince went into his launch and steamed twice around our vessel at full speed. This is the Siamese way of wishing you a pleasant voyage. On reaching Bangkok we embarked, but

the vessel could not cross the bar. Our Siamese friends who had been in attendance on the General took their leave at Paknam, the little town at the mouth of the river, and before the sun was up we were out at sea. Just before leaving Siam General Grant sent the King the following dispatch:

"TO HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF SIAM, Bangkok:

"On my departure from your territory allow me to renew my thanks for your many acts of courtesy during my brief visit to Siam. I shall ever remember it with pleasure, and entertain the hope that I may be able some day to return it in part by receiving and entertaining in my own country some of those near and dear to you. U. S. GRANT.

"PAKNAM, April 18, 1879."

This closed our visit to Siam,-one of the most interesting episodes in the General's journey, not so much because of the royal attentions, which were extraordinary and entirely unprecedented in Siamese history, as it was in the study of the people. There were political advantages, too, which in time will be seen in a closer relation between America and Siam. Americans should be encouraged to take service in Siam and

other Eastern countries. The government should do it, and see that good men are sent, and not a dismal lot of vagabonds and adventurers, like so many of those quartered on the poor Khedive. How many bright men there are at home-officers of the army and navy-going to seed at some Indian fort, who would be of the greatest possible use to our own government and to these States if allowed to serve, as Colonel Gordon served the Chinese, and now serves the Khedive, without losing their rank at home, and having a double moral accountability in their service, to the government at home and the princes here. I do not think there are any appointments in the gift of the President more important, so far as the well-being of the country is concerned, than our appointments in the East, and

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in many ways in our commerce at home, in the advancement of these nations, in the widening of Asia more and more to Western civilization. Siam has met America more than halfway. The welcome given to General Grant was something more than a personal tribute. It was an appeal to the friendship and the generosity of the American government, and nothing would be more advantageous to civilization than for America to accept this in the spirit in which it is offered, and to strengthen her just influence in the East.

The following correspondence between the King of Siam and General Grant may not be without interest:

"GRAND PALACE, BANGKOK, April 20, 1879.

"MY DEAR GENERAL GRANT: I received your kind telegram on leaving Siam and was very much pleased to hear that you were satisfied with your reception.

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"UNITED STATES STEAMER ASHUELOT,'
NEAR SHANGHAI, May 16, 1879.

[IS MAJESTY THE KING OF SIAM:
EAR SIR: Just before leaving Hong-Kong for Shanghai I received your
elcome letter of the 20th of April, and avail myself of the first oppor-
of replying. I can assure you that nothing more could have been done
Majesty and all those about you to make the visit of myself and party
t and agreeable. Every one of us will retain the most pleasant recol-
of our visit to Siam and of the cordial reception we received from
I and all with whom we were thrown in contact.

shall always be glad to hear from you and to hear of the prosperity and s of the beautiful country over which you rule with so much justice and for the ruled.

y party are all well, and join me in expression of highest regards for and Cabinet, and wishes for long life, health, and happiness to all of d peace and prosperity to Siam. Your friend,

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ENERAL GRANT, after his visit to the King of Siam, returned to Singapore, in the hopes of finding the "Richmond." We reached Singapore on the evening of the 22d of April. A dispatch was awaiting us from Captain Benham, to the effect that he hoped to be in Singapore on the 28th. But General Grant had made his visit, and not wishing to trespass further on the hospitalities of Colonel Enson, the Acting Governor of the Straits Settlements, resolved to continue on, by a French steamer then in port, to Hong-Kong. So, early on the morning of the 23d of April, in a heavy, pouring rain, without having time to go ashore and pay our respects to our kind friends Colonel Enson and Secretary Smith, we pushed out to sea. Our vessel was the "Irrawaddy," commanded by Captain Gauvain, a good type of the

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