Page:Great & wonderful revolution in Siam (1690).pdf/11

viii ''he soon gain'd the Esteem and Confidence of his Master. This chief Minister was a Man of Wit, and well versed in Business; but he avoided Trouble as much as he could, and loved his pleasure. It was matter of exceeding Joy to him, to have found an able, faithful, and industrious Person, on whom he might repose the Cares of his place. The Barcalon dying not long after the King, would needs put Monsieur Constance in his place, but he declin'd it, and told his Majesty,'' That that Post would create to him the Envy of all the great Men, and therefore besought him not to raise him higher than he was, for that was the utmost Boundary of his Ambition, accounting himself happy enough, in that he stood fair in his Favours.

His Modesty, his Skill and Diligence in dispatching Affairs, his Fidelity in managing the publick Revenue, and his Disinterestedness in refusing both the Appointments of his Office, and all Presents from private People, did more and more increase the King's Confidence in him.

He was very Civil to the English ''on all Occasions, and did them all the friendly Offices that lay in his power. He was very desirous of setting a Trade betwixt that Nation and them, but it was obstructed.''

About two Years ago he sent a very considerable Present to King James II. of all the Rarities and valuable Things that the East-Indies do produce, estimated to be worth about Six thousand pounds.

Now that I am talking of Presents, nothing could be more Magnificent, than those that the King of SIAM sent to the French King in the Year 1685, valued at above Sixty thousand pounds: And, in Requital, the French King sent to the King of SIAM of the Manufacture of France, in Rich Brocards, Looking-Glasses, Watches, Cloaks, and other valuable Things, to the value of above 300000 Crowns; yet nothing was lookt on as a greater Compliment to the King of SIAM, than a very fine Caparason of Velvet all richly Embroydered with Silver, Gold, and Pearls, all the Buckles and Rings whereof were of Massy Gold that was sent for the White Elephant, the Palladiam, or Tutelar Deity of that Country. A Re-