Directory_and_Chronicle_1890 — Page 340

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

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TREATY BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND SIAM.

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Art. IV.-British subjects are permitted to tra le freely in all the seaports of Siam but may 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 houses, but cannot purchase land within a circuit o 200 sen (not more than 4 miles English) from the city walls until they shall ave live in Siain for ten years, or shall obtain special authority from the Siamese Government to enable them to do so. 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 wi hiu a istance of twenty-four hours' journey from the city of Bangkok, to be com ted by the rate at which boats of the country can travel. In order to obtain possession of such land or houses, it will be necessary that the British subj ct shall, in he first plice, make application through the Consul to the pop r Siamese officers; and the Consul having satisfied himself of the honest intention of the applicant, will assist him in settling, upon equitable terms, the amount of the pure ase money, will mark out and fix the boundaries of the property, and will convey the same to the British purchaser under seal d deeds. Whereupon 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 directi ns given him by them, and will be subject to the same taxation that is levied on Siamese subjects. But if through negligence, and want of capital or other cause, a British subj et should fail to com.ence the cultivation or improvement of the lands so acquired w thin a term of three years from the dat of receiving posses-ion the cof, the Siamese Government shall have the power of r siming the property, upon returning to toe British subject the purchase-money pail by him for the same.

Art V.--All British subjects intending to reside i Siam shall be registered at the British Consulate. They shall 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 nits a pointed under the preceding article, British subjects are at liberty to travel to an fro under protection of a pass. to be farnished them by the Bri.ish Consul and counter-sealed by the proper Siamese officer, stating, in the Siamese character, teir n mes, calling, and description. 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 suspicion of their being deserters; and such detention shall be immediatly reported to the Consul.

Art. VI.-All British subj cts visiting or residing in Sam, shall be allowed the free exercise of the Christian religion and liber y to build churches in such localities 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 servan's, 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 consent of his master may be reclaimed by him; and the Siamese Government will not nforce an agreement between a British subject and any S amese 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 Pakuam, 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 go into dock for repairs. Auy British ship of war conveying to Siam a publi functionary accredited by Her Majesty's Government to the Court o. 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 Sames Government; but in the absence fa British ship of war, ti e Siamese authorities engage to furnish the Consul with a 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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