Admiral Foote, since his experience in the Chinese and Japanese waters, had kept up a correspondence with the Second King of Siam. The letters of the latter exhibit a high degree of intelligence regarding American affairs. The following was the latest received:
This letter had been submitted by Admiral Foote to the President and his Cabinet, all of whom read it with much satisfaction; but he hesitated to communicate it to the public. Only a few days before leaving Washington, on his way to his honorable command at Charleston, he gave a copy of it to Senator Sumner, with authority to use it as he should think proper. Now that the excellent Admiral has been removed by death, it has seemed that the letter ought to be generally known on his account, as well as from its intrinsic value, and the Senator has consented to its publication.
Palace of the Second King
Bangkok, Siam, May 22, 1863
Commodore A. H. Foote, Flag Officer of the Mississippi Gunboat Fleet :
DEAR SIR: I look with intense interest for American intelligence. I see by the papers that you are honored with an important and critical post. Recent intelligence announces your brilliant successes on the Tennessee, Cumberland, and Mississippi Rivers, in the taking of Forts Henry, Donelson, and the town of Columbus—the strong positions of the rebel forces We earnestly wish success to the United States Government, and the complete suppression of the reckless rebellion; and at the same time I deeply regret that any of the Southern States have placed themselves in a position where the maintenance of the United States Government must be attended with such sad consequences to them. The alternate sucesses and disasters indicate that the struggle must be a bloody, and we sometimes fear a protracted one. We wish and we expect your triumphant success; yet we confess that the intelligence received sometimes suggests the possibility that the United States may become two Republics, which to us in an exceedingly repulsive prospect.
Should the United States Government be successful in the present contest and slavery remain unimpaired, you will again be exposed to all the perplexing difficulties of the past… The complete annihilation of slavery alone will an end to the disturbing elements which have fomented the present rupture, and which unchecked must initiate still more fatal ones in the future.
I have learned with pain that you have received two wounds in your recent engagements, and am thankful that they were so slight as not to prevent you from vigorously prosecuting your all-important work.
I think of you much while you are contending with a stubborn foe, and wish for you and your glorious country such triumphs and such successes as will bring back every State to its allegiance, and place the peace and prosperity of the whole and unimpaired Union upon a lasting basis. I wish, too, the universal prevalence of the human principles of your celebrated Declaration of Independence—equal freedom to all in the pursuits of life, liberty and happiness.
For months past my health has been frail, but is now improving. My palace, too, has been undergoing repairs, but is nearly completed. Write when you can. Kind regards to all the members of your family.
Yours truly,
S. P. PAWARENDUENNESR,
Second King of Siam, &c.
Cleveland Morning Leader, Cleveland, OH
