BRITISH POLICY IN ASIA.
Siam.—The British government used all its influence to cultivate friendly relations with all the Asiatic governments, in the hope that a more extended and peaceful intercourse might spring up between these nations and the British empire. The most decisive results of such negotiations were seen at Siam and Persia. In the former country peace and friendship were confirmed; in the latter, war closed a vexed correspondence, which England conducted with the sincerest desire to secure justice and amity. A treaty of friendship and commerce was signed at Bangkok, May 13, 1856, between her Britannic majesty and the King of Siam. A supplementary agreement was afterwards signed. Dr. Bowring was the British plenipotentiary. His excellency’s account of the embassy and the accomplishment of its purpose has been published, and opens up interesting and instructive views of the people of that region.