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TREATY BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND SIAM.
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Art. IV. British subjects are permitted to trade freely in all the seaports of Siam▸ but inay
reside permanently only at Bangkok, or within the limits a sign d by this Treaty. British subjects coming to resid at Bangkok may rent land, buy or build hous, but cannot purchase land within a circuit o 200 sen (not more than 4 miles English) from the city walls until thy shall ave live in Siam for ten years, or shall obtain special authority from the Siamese Government to enable them to do so. But with th exception of this limitation, British residen s in Siam may at any time buy or rent houses, lands, or plantations, situa ed anywhere within a distance of twent.-four hours' journey from the city of Bangkok, to be comted by the rate at which boats of the country can travel. In order to obtain possession of such land or houses, it il be necessary that the British subj ct shall, in he first place, make application through the Consul to the proper Siamese officers; and the Coasul having satisfied himself of the honest intention of the applicant, will assist him in settling, upon equitable terms, the amount of the purchase inoney, will mark out and fix the boundaries of the property, and will convey the same to the British purchaser under seal d deeds. Whe eupon he and his property shall be placed under the protection of the Governor of the district and that of the particular local authorities; he shall conform, in ordinary matters, to any just directions given him by them, and will be subject to the same taxation that is levied on Simese subjects. But if through negligence, and want of capital or other cause, a British subject should fail to commence the cultivation or improvem nt of the ands so acquired within a term of three years from the date of receiving pos-es ion thereof, the Siamese Government shall have the power of resuming the property, upon returning to the British subject the purchase-money paid by bim for the same.
Art V.-All British subjects intending to reside in Siam shall be registered at the British Consulate. They si all not go out to sea, nor proceed beyond the limits assigned by this 'reaty for the residence of Bri ish subjects, without a passport from the Siamese authorities, to be applied for by th British Consul; nor shall they leave Siam, if the Siames authorities show to the British Consul that legitimate objec ions exist to their quitting the country. But within the limits a pointed under the preceding article, British subjects are at liberty to travel to an fro under protection of a pass, to be furnished them by the Bri:ish Consul and counter-sealed by the proper Siamese officer, stating, in the Siamese character, teir n mes, calling, and deser ption. The Siamese officers of the Government stations in the interio may, at any time, call for the production of this pass, and immediat ly on its being exhibited, they must allow the parties to proceel; but it will be their duty to detain those persons who, by travelling without a pass from th Consul, render themselves liable to the s spicion of their being deserters; and such detention shall be immediately reported to the Consul.
Art. VI.-All British subj. cts visiting or residing in S am, shall be allowed the free exercise of the Christian religion and liber y to build churches in such locali ies as shall be consented to by the Siamese authorities. The Siamese Government will place no restriction upon the employment by the English of Siamese subjects as servants, or in any other capacity. But whenever a Siamese subject belongs to or owes service to some par icular master the servant who engages himself to a British subject without the e nsent of his master may be reclaimed by him; and the Siamese Government will not nforce an agreement between a British subject and my Sameso in his employ, unl. ss made with the knowledge and consent of the master who has a right to dispose of the services of the person engag, d.
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Art. VII.-British ships of war may enter the river, and anchor at Paknam, but they shall not proceed above Pakuam, unless with the consent of the Siamese authorities, which shall be given when it is necessary that a ship shall g› in o dock for repairs. Any British ship of war conveying to Siam a pulli functionary ccredited by Her Majesty's Government to the Court of Bangkok, shall be allowed to come up to Bangkok, but shall not pass the forts called Pong Phrachamit and Pit-patch-nuck, unless expressly permitted to do so by th· Siames Government; but in the absence of a British ship of war, the Siamese authorities engage to furnish the Consul wi ha force sufficient to enable him to give effect to is authority over British subjects, and to enforce discipline among British shipping.
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