Directory_and_Chronicle_1870 — Page 615

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RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR TRADING WITH SIAM.

subjects of Her Majesty residing here, it must forthwith be reported at Her Majesty's Consulate, in order that such measures may be taken as the circumstances require.

V.-British subjects in Siam desiring to trade beyond the limits stipulated by the Treaty, must apply for a passport to the Consulate, a reasonable time before their in- tended departure; as that document must be countersigned by the proper Siamese authority.

Persons travelling without a pass render themselves liable to be treated as deser- ters, and will be detained at the government stations in the interior until the case having been reported to the Consul, instructions on the subject have been received.

VI.—In all cases of loss of British property by theft or fraud, assault or felony, whether committed on shore or on board of a British vessel in harbor, the occurrence must be forthwith reported at the Consulate-office, and in cases of theft, peculation, or assault where British and Siamese subjects are both concerned, a Siamese if guilty of any criminal act, may be conveyed to Her Majesty's Consulate, provided there is no responsible officer of his country at hand to whom the offender might be delivered. But British subjects will not be permitted to use violence to Siamese offenders, or take steps for the redress of their grievances, under peril of rendering themselves liable for the prosecution of an assault.

VII. It is strictly forbidden a British subject, whether permanently or tem- porarily residing in Bangkok, or in any other part of Siam, to enter the precincts of a Wat or Siamese Temple for the purpose of shooting pigeons or other birds; nor is it permitted to injure the edifices, or the symbols of Siamese worship or their tombs, or to damage any of the trees and shrubs within the last. Any infringement of this rule will subject the offender to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds, or in default of such payment, to imprisonment in the Consular goal to a period not exceeding one month, with or without hard labor.

VIII.-No British subject residing in Bangkok or in any other part of Siam may establish either a boarding or eating-house without the sanction of the Consul, and unless security has been given not to harbour any seaman who fails to prove that he has been legally discharged. Any person thus licensed as boarding or eating-house keeper, must use every precaution that the inmates and frequenters of his house do not conduct themselves in a riotous manner, or break the peace,-otherwise he will be rendered responsible, and his licence may be withdrawn.

IX.-Any British subject resident here, who wilfully harbours or secretes any seaman or apprentice who has deserted from a British ship, knowing or having reason to believe such to be the case, shall, conformably to the "Merchant Shipping Act, 1854" (paragraph 257), incur a penalty not exceeding twenty pounds, in default he may be imprisoned in the Consular gaol for any term not exceeding three months, with or without hard labour.

X. It is strictly forbidden to British subjects to enter the houses of the Siamese people against their will, or to create disturbances at their abodes. Any infringement of this rule subjects the offender, or if more than one, each of the offenders to a penalty not exceeding twenty pounds, or in default thereof to imprisonment in the Consular gaol for the period of not more than one month, with or without hard labor.

GENERAL REGULATIONS UNDER WHICH BRITISH TRADE IS TO BE CONDUCTED IN SIAM, IN CONFORMITY WITH THE TREATY CONCLUDED BETWEEN HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY AND THE KINGS OF SIAM.

I.-The master of any English ship coming to Bangkok to trade, must either before or after entering the river, as may be found convenient, report the arrival at the Cus- tom-house at Paknam, together with the number of his crew, and guns, and the port from whence he comes. Upon anchoring his vessel at Paknam, he will deliver into the custody of the Custom-house officers, all his guns and ammunition, and a Custom- house officer will then be appointed to the vessel, and will proceed in her to Bangkok.

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