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well, and If the climate there proved, favorable-to elephants, we are in the opinion that after a while they will Increase i they become large herds, as there.h®re on the continent of Asia, until . the Inhabitants of America will he able to ' catch and tame and use them as beasts of 1 burden, making them of benefit to the ■ country, since elephants being animals ofgreat size and strength, can bear burdens and travel through uncleared woods and ; matted jungles, where no carriages and cart roads have yet been made.We, on our part, wiil procure young 1 male ana- female elephants and forward them one or tyro iairs at a time.When the elephants are on board the ship, let a steamer take it in tow, that It ' may reach America as rapidly as possible, ' before they become w-asted and deceased ! by the voyage.When they arrive In America do not let ! them be taken to a cold climate out of the regions of the torrid zone, but let them , with all haste be turned to'run wild in some jungle suitable for them, not confining them any length of time. :If these means can he done, we trust ! that the elephants will propagate their 1 species hereafter In the continent of America.(Signed) Somdeck Phia Paramcnde Maha Moukkuk. by the blessing of the highest supremacy of the whole universe, the King of Slam, the sovereign of all Interior tributary countries adjacent and around In every direction: to his most respected excellent presidency, who having been chosen by the citizens of the United States as most distinguished. was made president and chief magistrate In the affairs of the nation for an appointed time of office.As this was during the time of the civil war, President Lincoln had much trouble upon his hands and was compelled to decline this generous offer, but he couches his refusal in the following graceful terms, which are the ! exact words written by Mr. Lincoln:Washington, D. C., U. S. A._ Feb. 3. 1SS2.To His Majesty, the King of Siam;My Dear Friend—I appreciate most highly your majesty’s tender of good offices In forwarding to this government a stock from which a supply of elephants might be raised on our soil. This government would not hesitate to avail Itself of so generous an offer if the object were one which could be made practlcallv useful In the present condition of the United States. Our political jurisdiction, however, Uoes not reacn a latitude so low as to favor the multiplication of the elephant, and steam on land as well as on water has been our best and most efficient agent of transportation In Internal commerce. Ishall have occasion at no distant date to transmit to your majesty some token or indication of the high sense of your majesty s friendship which this government entertains.Mean lime, wishing for your majesty a long and happy life, and for the generous and emulous people of Siam the highest prosperity, I commend both to the blessing of Almighty God.Your good friend,_ .. _ Abraham Lincoln,By the President, .William H. Seward,Secretary of State.Rev. Mr. Eaton had the pleasure of seeing the present made by President Lincoln to the king of Siam, which was a highly polished jewel sword, but was unable to secure a copy of the letter from President Lincoln which accompanied the gift.
Newspaper Details
Milford Mail
Milford, Iowa, US
Thu, Dec 25, 1913
Page 1
Full Page
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FL, USA 17 Dec 2018
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