Page:Pearl of Asia (Child JT, 1892).pdf/350



Translation of His Majesty's speech in reply to Col. J. T. Child, Minister Resident.

We regret that you should be compelled to leave our capital so quickly. We have while you fulfilled the office of Minister Resident to our court received various proofs of your endeavor to maintain our friendly relations, and thus we are bound to you by love and must praise you for the spirit in which you approached all questions with our Minister in order to make our friendly relations still more close.

You have been long enough in Siam to bear witness of our solicitude to maintain in every instance the friendship between Siam and the United States and to increase the welfare of our country by closer relations with other powers to which you have just alluded.

On the point of leaving our capital we request you to assure the President of the United States of our anxiety to increase our friendly relations with the United States of America, which are of the highest moment to us, and we beg likewise that you will assure him of our personal esteem and friendship.

And now we wish you in every way a prosperous voyage to your home and country.